Page 20

PATIENCE

P am looked up from behind the bar as Patience pulled open the heavy door.

“Sorry, I came in this way. Quinn gave me a ride and dropped me off out front.”

“No big deal. Use whichever door you want. The back entrance is just easier access to the break room and lockers. I’m just happy you’re here today. But how come you didn’t drive?”

“When I left yesterday, my car wouldn’t start. I didn’t look, but it’s probably buried in snow in the parking lot.”

“Wow. There were a few cars out there when I checked this morning. Yours is definitely not the only one. Do you need a mechanic?”

“Thank you, but Quinn said he had a friend. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s nothing major. It just needs to keep running for a few more months.”

“I totally get that. Sky has been going through the same thing with her car. Murphy keeps telling her to just buy a new one.”

“That’s my plan, but I wanted to wait until I got back from my summer with my parents.”

Pam nodded. “That makes sense. I’m going to miss you around here.”

“I’ll miss you too. This place is like a family. Hopefully, I’ll get a local residency so I can still visit.”

“That would be wonderful. I’m so proud of you and Livie for following your dreams.”

Patience felt her cheeks grow warm. “Aww, thank you! I should probably put my stuff away and get to work. Has it been quiet so far?” Patience had expected more people, but there were only a few, far less than the usual Sunday crowd.

“Very quiet. We’ll probably close early. No sense in staying open for a few stragglers. They’ll get over it.” Pam winked.

“Yeah, they will. Be right back to take care of those stragglers.” Patience grinned and then pushed through the swinging doors that led to the back of the restaurant and employee only area.

Charity was hanging her winter coat in her locker when Patience walked through the door into the break room.

She hadn’t noticed her yet, and Patience saw how exhausted the recently divorced mom appeared.

More than usual. Patience wished they were closer, so she’d feel comfortable sharing with her.

She and Livie figured Charity could use some help, at least with free babysitting for her two little ones.

“Hey, Charity.” The poor woman jumped, then whipped around with her palms up before she realized it was Patience.

Realizing she’d triggered Charity, Patience stayed still, giving her a moment for her fear to recede. It was obvious Charity had been terrified for those brief moments before she realized who’d surprised her.

Her cheeks were bright pink, and she looked away, trying to cover her faux pas , before answering. “Oh, hi, Patience. Some storm last night, right?”

“It was horrible. I can’t remember one being this bad around here. On top of it, my car wouldn’t start, so I had to get a ride home and to get to work today.”

“Wow, that had to suck. Didn’t I hear you saying last week you’d just had it checked?”

“I did. You’d have thought that they’d have checked everything, but I guess not.” Patience slowly entered the room, heading for her locker. She didn’t want to startle Charity.

“You know, if you need a ride home, I can take you later. I really don’t mind.”

She was a little surprised at the offer.

Charity had mostly kept to herself since Pam hired her.

With so many employees asking for vacation over the holidays, she’d needed extra staff.

Charity seemed like a good worker, although Patience had a gut feeling that something was going on in her life to make her so jumpy.

“I really appreciate the offer. Can I let you know later?”

“Sure thing. I’m on till close.” Charity closed her locker. “See you out there.”

“Yup. Be right behind you.”

After tucking her jacket into the locker, her stomach growled.

Reminding her she hadn’t eaten since the bowl of cereal after talking to Livie.

It would be a few hours before she could take a dinner break.

Dammit. Grabbing a mint out of her backpack, she shoved it into the small space and shut the door.

Maybe the candy would be enough to fool her stomach for a while, at least. After another low growl, she decided she’d stop by the kitchen on her way out front. Tony, the head chef and Pam’s husband, wouldn’t care if she grabbed a piece of fruit or a handful of chips.

Tony was always teasing them. He grumbled they were too thin and probably didn’t eat enough.

Either he or Pam made sure they ate a full meal whenever they worked.

Often sending them home at the end of their shifts with “doggie bags.” Considering all she’d eaten since leaving last night was two bowls of cereal, he was probably right.

Mind made up, Patience stopped by the kitchen and grabbed a banana from the bowl by the door, while waving to Tony.

“I made your favorite for dinner. Make sure you come and get some,” he called after her.

That stopped her in her tracks. “You made lasagna?”

“Sure did. I figured it would be a good meal with all this snow.”

Patience gave him a huge grin. “I’ll be back later. Save me a slice.”

“I’ve already got some set aside for you and Livie.”

Of course he did. He took care of all of them like they were family.

She would miss this when she started her residency in the fall.

If she and Livie didn’t end up in the same place, she’d miss her most of all.

They might as well be sisters with how close they’d grown.

No time for worrying about it now, though.

She had a job to do for the next six hours.

After devouring the banana, she tossed the peel and headed out into the dining room.

A few more people had come in and Charity and Sky were busy waiting tables. Pam was still alone behind the bar.

“Where do you want me?” Patience asked as she stopped at the bar.

“You can take the Pool Room and overflow in the main area until Sky leaves. Murphy is deploying tomorrow, so she wants to spend some time with him tonight.”

“I’ll cover her tables. Let me know when she’s leaving.”

Pam nodded, and Patience headed toward the sound of pool balls.

Two tables were being used, one was being used by a group of Navy guys she hadn’t seen before.

They were easy to pick out with their short haircuts.

Quinn and Doc were at the other one. Patience wondered if he’d be mad at how she’d jumped out of the truck and run inside.

The need to get away from him had been overwhelming. If he didn’t like it, too bad for him.

Walking up to the other table first, she pulled out her pad. “Hi there. I’ll be your server. My name is Patience. Can I get you anything from the kitchen or bar?”

“Hey baby. Aren’t you the pretty one?” one of them said.

“Patience? What kind of name is that?” another remarked.

She barely held back a rude retort and just responded with, “ my name .” Ignoring the pickup line from the first jerk, she turned to the other two, who hadn’t answered yet.

“Do you need refills?” Noticing the mostly empty pitcher, she directed her question at the guys playing the game and turned her back on the other two, who were watching.

“Yeah, another pitcher of Michelob Ultra and whatever these assholes want from the kitchen.”

She’d been about to ask about menu items when she smelled sour beer breath and the heat of someone almost leaning against her back. Before she could react, she felt his touch.

“I’ll take a bite of this,” beer breath said as he grabbed her butt cheek and squeezed hard. Hard enough that she’d probably have bruises later.

“What the actual fuck? Let me go,” she growled. Before she could turn and kick him in the balls, Quinn was there.

He grabbed the guy by the shoulder and dragged him over to the wall.

Doc was by her side in an instant. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just pissed off. He didn’t hurt me, though I’m sure I’ll have his fingerprints on my butt for a while.”

“Good.” Then turning to the other three still standing there, two with their mouths hanging open. He said, “What the fuck is wrong with you? You don’t touch a woman without her permission—ever! You don’t get to touch her. Definitely not maul her. She’s here to serve you food and alcohol only.”

They must have realized they were outclassed, because all three of them apologized.

“We’ll get out of here. Sorry for causing trouble. C’mon, Robbie.”

Robbie must have been the guy who grabbed her. Quinn’s face reflected the rage he felt, and the sailor looked like he was about to pee on himself. Not that Patience minded. He needed to learn a lesson. All she could imagine is how Charity would have reacted under the same circumstances.

A moment later, Quinn dragged Robbie over to Patience by his collar. “Well?” he prompted.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Patience nodded at him. Too pissed to say she accepted his apology. She’d met too many men like him over the years and they rarely changed their behavior.

“Now all of you get the fuck out of here. I’m going to tell Pam what happened. You’ll be lucky if she lets you back in. She doesn’t put up with that crap here,” Doc said, meeting each of their gazes.

He was right, too. Pam didn’t allow anyone to be manhandled in the Ready Room. It was another reason Patience loved working here.

The four of them rushed out of the room with Doc on their heels. She wasn’t sorry to see them go, even if it meant fewer tips.

“Are you okay, little doc?” Quinn asked.

Patience had been so focused on the guys, she’d forgotten he hadn’t followed Doc out.

“Yeah, I’m good. Thank you for coming to my rescue, and I’m glad you didn’t beat the crap out of him.

I wouldn’t have wanted to clean up the blood, even if he deserved it.

But I thought you weren’t a ‘good guy?’” She couldn’t help teasing him a little.

The whole incident had been unsettling, and she needed normal.

His surprised expression made her contemplate what he was thinking. His gaze searched her face like he was trying to see if she meant what she said.

“I’m not. Doesn’t mean I’ll stand by and let anyone touch another without their permission.”

His asking for her to use her words yesterday made a lot more sense now.

Quinn’s rage had subsided, but she noticed a slight twitch of his hands as if his anger had nowhere to go.

Slowly, she reached out and put her hand on his arm.

She’d expected him to flinch or pull away and thrilled when he didn’t.

“Thank you. I mean it. It could have gotten way out of hand, especially with four of them.”