Evan (Angel Institute #6)

Chapter 2

Two

EVAN

I push through the door of Violet's Diner; the bell jingling above my head. It's late, and I'm dead on my feet after another long day at the Christmas tree farm. The warm air and the smell of fresh apple pie wrap around me like a hug, and my stomach rumbles.

Sliding into my usual booth, the red vinyl squeaking under me. Molly, the pretty waitress with the chestnut hair and the kind eyes, comes over with a pot of coffee. I've seen her around, heard she’s a single mom, but we've never really talked beyond me placing my order.

"Hey there, Evan," she says, filling up my mug. "The usual tonight?"

I nod, stifling a yawn. "Yeah, thanks, Molly. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. You're a lifesaver."

She laughs, and it's a nice sound. "Just doing my job. Be back in a jiff with your food."

As she walks away, I can't resist watching her go. There's something about Molly, something warm and real that makes me feel less alone. But I shake off the thought. She's got enough on her plate without me mooning over her like some love-struck teenager.

I'm just about to take a sip of my coffee when a little boy with sandy hair and big, curious eyes comes barreling out of the back room. "Mom!" he yells, running up to Molly. "Guess what? I got an A on my spelling test."

Molly's face lights up, and she crouches down to give the kid a big hug. "That's amazing, Chad. I'm so proud of you."

Chad grins, bouncing on his toes. "Can we get ice cream to celebrate?"

Molly ruffles his hair. "Tell you what, buddy. If you sit quietly and do your homework while I finish my shift, we'll stop for ice cream on the way home. Deal?"

"Deal," Chad agrees, and then he's off like a shot, sliding into the booth across from me.

"Hi, mister," he says, sticking out his hand. "I'm Chad. What's your name?"

I can't help but grin at the kid's enthusiasm. "I'm Evan," I say, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, Chad."

Molly comes over, looking apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Evan. Chad, honey, let's not bother Mr. Lawson, okay?"

"He's not bothering me," I assure her. "Really, it's fine."

Chad looks up at Molly with those big, pleading eyes. "Can I sit with Mr. Evan, Mom? Please? I'll be good, I promise!"

Molly hesitates, but I give her a reassuring nod. "It's okay, Molly. I could use the company."

She smiles then, and it's like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. "If you're sure," she says. "Chad, you listen to Mr. Lawson and do your homework, okay?"

Chad nods solemnly. "I will, Mom."

As Molly goes to put in my order, Chad turns to me, his eyes wide with curiosity. "So, Mr. Evan, what do you do? Are you a cowboy?"

I chuckle at that. "No, buddy, I'm not a cowboy. I own the Christmas tree farm on the edge of town."

"Whoa!" Chad exclaims. "That's so cool! Do you have reindeer? Can I come see the trees sometime?"

I'm about to answer when Molly comes back with my meatloaf. She sets it down in front of me, and the smell alone is enough to make my mouth water.

"This looks amazing, as always."

“I’ll pass the compliment on to the kitchen.” Molly smiles.

"Mom's the best cook in the entire world," Chad declares proudly. “Better than Chef Billy.”

Molly laughs, tweaking Chad's nose. "You're biased, kiddo. Now, let Mr. Evan eat his dinner in peace, okay?"

I wave off her concern. "Really, Molly, he's fine. In fact, I was just telling Chad he's welcome to come visit the farm sometime. If that's okay with you, of course."

Molly blinks, surprised. "Oh, that's... that's very kind of you, Evan. Are you sure it's not too much trouble?"

"Not at all," I assure her. "I could use a little holiday cheer around the place. And I bet Chad would love to see the trees, wouldn't you, buddy?"

Chad nods so hard I'm afraid he might strain something. "Yeah! Can we go tomorrow, Mom? Please?"

Molly hesitates, but there's a warmth in her eyes when she looks at me. "If you're sure it's no trouble, then okay. We can stop by after school tomorrow."

Chad lets out a whoop of joy, and I feel a grin spreading across my face. It's been a long time since I've had something to look forward to, something to make me feel like maybe, just maybe, there's more to life than just going through the motions.

As I dig into my meatloaf, listening to Chad chatter away about his day, I can't stop myself from stealing glances at Molly as she moves around the diner. There's a grace to her, a quiet strength that draws me in like a moth to a flame.

And when she catches me looking and gives me a shy smile, I feel something flutter in my chest, something I haven't felt in longer than I can remember.

Anticipation.

For the first time in a long time, I’m not dreading tomorrow. And as I finish my meal and say goodnight to Molly and Chad, I can't help but smile to myself.

Perhaps being stuck with the tree farm isn’t all bad.