Page 21 of As It Was (Strawberry Springs #1)

“Thanks,” I said when she put the menus down for us. I widened my eyes at Cain, trying to telepathically tell him to be polite.

“Yes, thanks ,” he repeated. When Tammy looked between us one more time and finally walked away, he spoke again. “Do you really think I don’t say thank you to people?”

“You never leave the house. How am I supposed to know how you act in public?”

Cain moved to sit next to Eric, but the kid held out his hand. “I wanna sit next to Mollie!”

“ What? ” Cain asked.

“She’s my friend. I get to sit next to you every day.”

Cain gave me a death glare as he went to the other side. “Look at it this way. You get to look at him and make sure he eats everything on his plate.”

Eric looked up. “Even the bacon?”

“Every. Bite.”

Eric sighed. “I like you a little less now, Mollie. But I still like you.”

“What are you all drinking?” Tammy reappeared. “And no, I can’t add anything to your coffee to take the edge off. No matter how annoyed you are, Cain.”

I stifled a laugh, but he looked genuinely insulted. I kicked his boot and shook my head.

“Just water for me,” is all he said .

“I’ll do coffee.”

“Juice!” Eric yelled.

Tammy laughed in response. “You’ll have to be a bit more specific, kid.”

“Orange!” Cain and I looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Please,” he eventually added.

“Be right up.” Tammy’s smile was bigger than usual, and I knew this was prime small-town talk.

And judging by the look on Cain’s face, he knew it too.

“I don’t drink, by the way. In case you had questions.”

“I didn’t. You can do what you want.”

“It’s not gonna be the first time you hear something like that about me, trust me.”

“A lot of the parents think Cain is really quiet,” Eric added. “I just say they don’t know him. He talks a lot with me.”

“You’re the exception.” Cain’s voice was filled with a sadness that I couldn’t explain. What exactly had happened in his past that was so bad? No one had said anything to me, and I wasn’t sure I wanted them to.

He immediately returned to his quiet mode. I had been sure he hated me, but he still spoke to me more than he did when he was out in public. I eyed his tense jaw and rigid posture.

He hated being in town.

I opened my mouth to offer him an out, or to go take a break in the car, but then someone materialized at the table.

Next to me, Eric perked up. “Tommy!”

“Hey!” The other kid seemed just as excited.

Eric climbed over me to get out of the booth and went to talk to his friend.

“Cain!” Kerry said. “And Mollie. I get to see you two twice in a row!”

If it were possible, Cain looked even more tense. “Kerry. Hi. ”

“It’s nice to see you again.”

“I hate that we didn’t get to chat much yesterday. I guess we’re all getting a second chance.”

“We are,” I said with a smile. “And I can ask what your favorite dish is here. I’m not sure what to get.”

“But—” Eric piped up.

“I’m not sure what to get,” I repeated. Cain caught on to my meaning and shook his head at Eric.

“Oh, well let me tell you, the waffles are so good. I like them with extra whipped cream and maple syrup.”

I was still getting French toast, but she was looking only at me and not the lump of anxiety across the table. “That sounds so good.”

“This place is really a treat. Just like the rest of the town is. You liked the market yesterday, right?”

“Loved it, though I probably bought too much.”

“Not after what happened yesterday,” Cain said. I turned to him, and he looked as surprised as I was that he’d spoken at all.

“Oh? What happened yesterday?” Kerry asked.

“Eric gobbled up an entire loaf of garlic bread,” I said. “I’ve never seen him eat so fast.”

“So, living at the farm is going well?”

“Everything has been good,” I said. “I love owning a house, and Eric is super sweet.”

“I know it must have been a shock.” Kerry looked at Cain. “You were in such a bad mood when she got here.”

“You’ll have to excuse the bad mood,” I said. “I annoy him every day I’m there.”

“Or nearly get yourself killed.”

“That happened one time.”

“You fell off a roof.”

“Saving your chicken!”

Kerry laughed. “This is so interesting to see. Who knew a woman could get you to talk?”

She patted Cain’s shoulder, and his jaw tightened again.

I would have said she were simply joking if not for the look on his face.

“You know what, while I have you, I might need a favor,” Kerry said to Cain. “Did you hear that the school is looking for volunteers for the Fall Fun Run?”

He blinked. “They are?”

“Yes. You should come. We need all the help we can get.”

I could have sworn Cain turned green, but he nodded.

“Can people without kids help?” I asked.

“If we know them. Why? Do you know someone?”

“Me!”

“Really?”

“I’d love to.”

“Oh, great! We would love to have you both.”

I winked at Cain, but his lips pursed as he looked pointedly at Kerry, who was watching the whole interaction.

“I think Tammy’s coming with your drinks,” Kerry said. “I won’t keep you. Tommy, let’s go to our table.”

Tommy said goodbye to Eric and walked off.

“The whole Facebook group is gonna hear about this,” Cain muttered.

“You were so nice!” Eric said. “I’ve never seen you say so many words.”

Cain’s eyes dragged over to me, and I tried to give him a reassuring smile. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled to have opened up at all, but I also could see why Jackie thought I was the best option.

Even if he only spoke to argue with me, it was more than he’d ever done.

And hopefully, it would be enough.