Journey of the Magi (3 page)

Dan gestured at the square opening cut into the kitchen wall.

“Call the orders through there. I put them under the heat light when they’re ready, so you have to keep an eye out. When I’m cooking, I don’t have time to fool around. The customers want it quick and hot.”

At her blush, Dan realized what he’d said.

“I can handle it.” Noel flushed an even brighter red and rolled her eyes at Dan’s grin.

“This is a blue-collar community, Noel. Some talk is a lot coarser. Most of these guys work in the paper mill and when they see a pretty female they drool like mad dogs. You ready for it?”

Noel bit her lip, and then nodded. “The layout may be different from a fancy French restaurant, but men are men. I learned to evade pinching.”

“So why did you quit?”

“My doctor. Toward the end of my pregnancy I had a few problems, and he insisted.”

When she shrugged, Dan noticed how her collar bones protruded under her pale skin. He wanted to trace his finger over them before exploring that white skin, cup his hands over those fragile bones and keep her safe. Those ill-fitting jeans must be hers, but her kids looked plump as Christmas geese.

His stomach rolled at the thought things were so bad she fed them and went hungry. She needed taking care of.

“After Nicholas was born, I decided to go home.”

“Connecticut, you said?” Noel’s smile made Dan’s pulse leap like a rabbit. Her up-curved lips could melt the accumulated snowpack.

“Yes. I promised Holly to be home for Christmas. I inherited my grandparents’ farm in a village called Rhodes End. I loved it there. They let it go a little when they got older, but the house is solid. And the kids will have a big yard to play in.”

“What happened to your husband?”

“He was a long-distance truck driver. He lost control on an icy curve.” All expression left her face, reminding him of that frightened mutt out back. Her lips thinned.

“I thought California was a nice place.”

“But we have no reason to stay.” Her pale blue eyes mirrored the light like frozen pools. “I couldn’t pay the bills. He let his life insurance lapse. We had no income but my tips. It wasn’t enough.”

“Sorry.” Dan bit his lip, dropping his gaze to his hands. He dove into polishing more silver.

“It’s okay. It’s been a year and we’re doing fine.” When her voice wobbled, he longed to hop over the counter and grab her into his embrace. He blew out a frustrated breath.

“That’s good. By the way, we didn’t discuss your salary last night. Later you can fill out a W2 form for taxes. Make sure it’s got the proper address. I pay minimum wage, plus tips. There’s a tip jar on the counter. Since you’re the only waitress, you don’t have to split them.”

“What about the busboy?”

“He’s paid to do the dishes. He never shared Thelma’s tips.”

Dan crossed his fingers behind his back. He’d have to talk to Eddy. The kid would accept a raise in pay and keep his mouth shut if he knew what was good for him.

Noel’s eyes brightened. “Then it won’t take me long to save enough. We’ll be on the road again in a few days.”

Disappointment knotted Dan’s throat. A high-bladed snowplow noisily passed, throwing a sheet of slushy gray across the front window. Within seconds a resounding clang rattled the glass.

Noel’s face went white.

“My car,” she whispered before she raced out the front door.

Chapter Three

Tossing aside his towel, Dan grabbed his coat on the way outside. When he reached Noel she stood knee-deep in a drift, wringing her hands. A huge county truck sat mid-road. The wide snowplow rested against the crumpled fender and twisted front wheel of her ancient Nash.

The heavyset driver eased himself down from the high cab and lumbered over.

“Shit, ma’am. Ah never did see your vehicle parked there in front o’ Dan’s place. Ah’m truly sorry.”

“Sorry isn’t good enough, Joe. You made a mess out of her car,” Dan scolded.

When Noel shivered, he automatically pulled her against his side. Only when her curves molded softly against him did he realize what he had done. She fit perfectly, and he wanted to keep her close forever.

“Shit, Dan, I didn’t see the damn thing.”

“Watch your mouth. You’re in the presence of a lady.”

Joe snorted and stared at Dan as if he’d grown two heads. His beady eyes ran up and down Noel, taking in the protective arm around her shoulders. He spat on the snowy sidewalk and grinned, exposing several missing front teeth.

Dan groaned. It would be all over town by nightfall that he had actually told someone not to swear. After the language he used in the café, he’d never live this down.

Joe removed his knit cap and scratched at the thinning hair on his pate. “Sh...ah, shoot, I could get it fixed, ya know. Over at my brother’s garage, if it’s okay with you, ma’am. It’d be better than sendin’ in no insurance claim. And the guys would do a good job.”

He shuffled his feet until Noel lifted tear-filled eyes to Dan. He wanted to dive into those drenched pools.

“What should I do?”

****

Laughter resounded above Garth Brooks’ voice describing fields of wheat, and Dan scowled. He was too busy filling lunch orders to take more than a quick look into the packed café. The aroma of French fries, broiled hamburgers, and cooked onions mixed with the odor of wet boots and sweaty shirts. Despite the heavy snow, word had spread about the new waitress.

Noel was a big hit.

Dan looked down when he felt a tug at his pant leg. Holly gave another impatient pull when he didn’t answer.

“I’m hungry,” she stated, her tiny eyebrows knit into a frown. Her blonde hair and blue eyes were miniature copies of her mother. “And Nicholas will be soon, too. And I can’t find any more cartoons on the TV. When will my mommy be finished?”

Dan glanced at Eddy’s grinning face and crouched next to the girl. “Pretty soon, Holly. This crowd is usually gone by now.”

Holly’s frown deepened. “Nicholas might cry.”

“What’s he doing now?”

“He’s asleep.” Holly sniffed and Dan handed her a paper towel to blow her nose.

The mill whistle shattered the afternoon air and the men scrambled to gulp the last of their coffee. A few grabbed their remaining burgers. Only three customers stayed at the counter, calmly munching their fries.

****

Noel stared at the soiled plates and crumpled napkins littering every surface. The skinny busboy sauntered out with an empty bin balanced on his hip.

Eddy casually stacked dirty cutlery and dishes inside. His long hair was pulled into a ponytail that hung halfway down his back, and he had a silver skull earring dangling from his earlobe.

“Is it always like this?”

“Yup. That’s why Dan has them pay when they get their order. A few stiffed him at the beginning, but he wised up fast. And none of ’em try it now.”

“I wouldn’t think so.” Noel sniffed before she stacked soiled dishes.

“It’s the only place close enough to walk to that serves a good quick meal.” Eddy nodded and grinned. “By the way, there’s a little girl in the kitchen looking for her lunch. Dan said to tell you.”

Noel gestured at the tables. “I should help.”

“Hey, no problem, it’s my job. Along with busboy, dishwasher, and part-time college student.” Eddy winked.

Noel found Holly perched on a stool with a large glass of milk held firmly between both hands.

“Hi, Mommy. Dan says I can sit here. He’s making me lunch. He says I can’t wander around ’cause it’s not safe for a kid, but I told him I’m smart. He says smart doesn’t count, unless you gots common sense, too. Do I?”

Noel unraveled her rapid speech and threw Dan an approving glance. He’d managed to keep Holly out of mischief without hurting her feelings.

Dan looked up from the stove after flipping over two hamburgers. His warm gaze heated her like hot chocolate and a blazing fire on a cold night.

“I think you have common sense, Holly. But Dan is right.”

“Does that mean it’s okay to call him Dan, too?”

Noel bit back a smile. Sometimes Holly was too smart. “Yes, it’s all right. How’s Nicholas?”

The baby’s hungry wail bellowed overhead and Noel’s breasts tightened.

Dan’s craggy face broke into a broad grin. The change was like a blow to her abdomen. Longing filled her. His brown eyes twinkled with merriment and she wanted to laugh with him. Stunned by her racing pulse, Noel wondered if she’d ever be able to breathe normally.

“Sounds like another call for the waitress.”

“W-what?”

“The gentleman in the balcony is trying to get your attention.” Dan waved at the ceiling. Noel hurried to the stairs.

“He needs to nurse,” she mumbled.

“You have time. I’ll feed Little Miss Sunshine here while Eddy clears the tables and washes up. By then you can bring Nick down and set up for dinner.”

Holly giggled. She set down the empty glass and grabbed the sides of the stool to keep from falling off. When another hungry yell started Noel’s milk flowing, she fled through the door before the telltale stain soaked through her sweater.

When Noel descended with Nicholas, the air smelled of detergent and disinfectant. A low murmur of voices came from an area behind the kitchen. A wide door she hadn’t noticed stood open in the tiny hall. The hall continued to the rear, past another door, to an exit.

“How do I make it work?” Holly’s eager question came from inside.

“Press this button.”

A low mooing ensued, followed by laughter. Noel halted in the doorway. Her daughter knelt on the carpeted floor of a sparsely furnished room. Holly held a narrow box decorated with a row of colorful animal pictures in her hand. When Dan pointed a forefinger at the pink pig, she jabbed the button underneath and the box emitted a distinct
oink, oink
.

Holly giggled and Noel’s eyes prickled with tears. Dan had a sweet touch with children. Holly bounced to her feet.

“Look, Mommy, look. Dan had this and he says I can play with it whenever I want, so long’s I put everything back when I’m done. He don’t have kids, but he has lots of toys.”

Holly flipped open the top of a huge toy box. The yard-wide interior was stuffed. It reminded Noel of the one in her grandparents’ house. Full to the brim with lovingly gathered toys.

“What in the world?” Noel exclaimed.

Dan shrugged, throwing his hands into the air. “It’s kind of hard to explain. Some of my customers have children. Their parents like to eat out, but if the kids act up, it’s not any fun. So I started keeping a few things.”

“That looks like more than a few.” She wanted to press her fingers to his cheeks and kiss him.

“Yeah, well.” He glanced around as if confused. “It does seem like more every day.”

Like the upstairs, this room revealed Dan’s personality. The beige carpeting was thick and soft, newly laid. Several white-painted shelves lined the back wall, with a dozen children’s books piled haphazardly along their length. A folded playpen leaned precariously against the side of a cane-bottomed rocker. A red plastic milk carton held comic books and a basketball.

In one corner sat an oak teacher’s desk with a computer and several file baskets. She walked over and trailed her fingers over the keyboard. The stacked bills showed Dan used this area for business.

“Is this the room you meant when you said the children could stay here while I worked?” Noel leaned against the leather chair. The upholstery smelled like Dan, and she took a deep breath.

“Yeah. I know it isn’t much, but...” He shrugged.

“But this is wonderful.” She gave him what she meant to be a quick hug, but her arms stayed around his waist as their gazes met and held. He smelled good, like fresh air, healthy male, and soap.

His eyes gleamed as he slowly leaned forward. She had plenty of time to move away, but she waited. His lips lightly touched hers. His felt warm and soft. They teased her for an endless moment until he lifted his head.

“I’d better set up that playpen for Nick and leave you to settle them in.” His voice was rough and deep. She dropped her arms, unsure what she had expected.

She couldn’t stop watching him as he moved around the room.

When he stopped at her side, Noel put her hand on his arm. His body heat surrounded her and she inhaled his familiar male scent. Unable to help herself, she stroked his muscular forearm.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

His chocolate gaze poured over her. “You’re very welcome,” he murmured. He was gone before she could thank him again.

****

The watery winter sun had faded to a pale orb when Dan eased open the kitchen door and leaned down to fill the empty dish with scraps. From the alley’s shadows came the scrabble of claws on the pavement, but the skinny pup stopped well beyond his reach.

He hoped it would venture closer, but it didn’t. Sighing, he retreated inside. Looking out the window, he watched the dog creep forward to wolf down the meal.

“Poor thing. Why don’t you bring it in?” Despite his increased awareness he hadn’t heard Noel enter the kitchen. As she peered out the steamy window at the skinny dog gobbling down the scraps of meat, her shoulder brushed his, sending a shock of desire through him.

“He’s a stray.” His arm twitched at the memory of holding her, kissing those rosy lips. He inhaled. He’d been right. Her hair smelled of wildflowers and sunshine. He ached to slide his arm around her waist. She’d changed her blue sweater for another one that sent his temperature soaring. He coughed and cleared his throat.

“All the more reason to offer him a home.” She frowned at Dan before she eased away. Like a magnet unable to resist her pull, he inched closer.

“Boy, it’s clear you’re a city woman. Animals that are abandoned go feral, wild, in order to survive. Bringing that pup in would be like offering space to a coyote.”

“Then why are you putting food out for it?” She lifted her chin, bringing her lips into perfect position for a kiss. His neck almost broke as he resisted.

“’Cause it’s going to waste anyway.” Dan huffed out a breath before he ran his hand through his hair. Kissing her again would be a mistake. “Better than throwing it into the garbage can.”