Things can't get worse.

Tate didn't reply to my question.

"What do you want with me?" I repeat myself firmly.

"I just want to help. Jax is a good dog."

"Having a good dog does not justify a stranger paying thousands of dollars. Then saying I don't need to pay him back." I look into his blue eyes. They don't look like the brown ones that use to control my every move. The ones that would hurt me by telling me to pay another way.

My phone starts going off saying I have to get to work. Of course I have the lunch shift today. 

"I have to go. I will find a way to pay you back." I say and get up. 

"I guess I need to drive you home." I say when we get outside and I look at my car. 

"I have friends in town I can get a ride from them." He says.

I nod and get into my car and drive to work. I start my shift with stuffing the napkin holders. Then Howard and others come barging through the doors, shot guns slung over their shoulders. They were talking about the turkeys they shot this morning and how big they were. Becca hustles over to take their orders. 

Some of the mechanics from across the road wander in and Milly goes over to get their orders. 

I'm working the bar area today. Some farmers walk in after parking their tractors or semi trucks along the road. Tate is close behind them and they all sit at the bar talking about the rain.

Why? I ask myself. I take their orders while trying to be friendly with Tate even though I really did not want to.

I'm anger because he is too nice. He has to want something from me but he isn't making the demands. I try to act normal but Becca pulls me to the back and I explain everything without meaning to.

"Oh sweetie. He just likes you. Try to take it easy. I will help you get more hours here so you can pay him back. And don't pay him a penny more then what he paid. If there is any talk of interest tell him the stress he caused was more than enough." Becca says firmly. I wish I could be as strong as her. She gives me a hug. "I'm sorry about Jax."

I walk back out and the farmers are leaving and there is a $100 where Tate was sitting. That swear word!

"Do you know how long I have been searching for you doll face?" My ex's voice cuts through the chatter of the diner. "When are you coming home?"

My blood runs cold. How did he find me?

"Don't give my that face. It doesn't look good on you." Billy says cracking a few missing teeth smile from his addictions and fights.

My heart is racing. I can't think straight. Tates voice rings out and brings me back.

"How could I have forgotten to get pie?" He says sitting down beside Billy. He slaps a $10 on the bar. "Get me what ever your favorite is Katie."

The farmers came back and were all asking what pie was on the menu today. Even the mechanics and Howard's group starting asking Becca and Milly about the pies. What's going on? Is this small town nosy?

"Tsk." Billy says to Tate. "There are other seats."

"Well this one's my favorite." Tate shows his beautiful smile.

Billy scooches down a seat.

"Well you going to serve me?" Billy asks looking at me.

"No she ain't because you're sitting in my serving area sweetheart." Becca swoops in. "Do me a favor Katie and bring Howard his cherry pie. He just might start shooting this place up if he don't have his pie soon."

"Where's my pie?!" Howard yells.

"I-i'm bringing it sir!" I say scurrying around. Milly helps me plate up pie slices, first for Howard then everyone else in the establishment.

"When you coming home?" Billy asks while I walk by carrying pie slices. I don't reply. I don't want to go back there.

"When you coming over for shoot'n practice Katie?" Howard asks. "I know them rodents get purdy big over there at your place. It's probably about time that gun I left there gets an oil'n and cleaning too."

What is Howard talking about? He has never been this friendly to me. And that's his gun in my coat closet Julie said was for rats?

"I w-will have to c-check my schedule." I tell Howard.

He nods firmly almost as if happy.

The mechanics in one of the booths yells across the way. "I hear your car could use an oil change. Throw us the keys we can get her done and checked over real fast Katie."

Milly tosses them my keys. "Here Butch. You still running that special?"

"Yes ma'am. First time costumers get their oil changed for free if they keep coming back." Butch says.

"Says the only oil change place in town." One of the farmers adds with a laugh.

"Looks like you got yourself some friends. What you do spread your legs for them?" Billy sneers at me.

It was a blur but Tate slams his fist into Billy's face. The sheriff walks in through the door.

"Officer did you see that?" Billy cries from the floor.

"Gosh dang it Tate. I just went on break." Sheriff Boman throws his hands up. "Milly get me some pie. I'm dealing with this once my break is done."

Billy looks at the sheriff Boman with disgust. The mechanics scoop Billy up off the floor.

"Here's for his bill Becca." Butch winks slapping some cash on the bar.

Everyone except for the sheriff leaves the diner.

"How does Mrs. Franklin make her pies so dang gom good?" Sheriff Boman asks digging into the last slice of cherry pie.

I'm left standing beside Milly and Becca behind the diner bar. What just happened?