Midnight Roots (Silver Creek Ranch)

Chapter Nine

Dillon

I'm at the Catch + Candle early, and I wait outside for Cece to open up. Once she does, I put my apron on, and I start going around, making sure everything is ready for the first customers of the day. I begin by filling the napkin stands on the tables and making sure the sugar shakers and condiments are all refilled. Then I stand behind the counter and wait for Cece to set up the register, watching her carefully so I know what to do.

The front door opens, and Heston walks in. Our eyes meet, and I feel a chill travel down my spine. I wouldn't say his eyes light up when he sees me, but there's definitely something behind them that seems keen on recognizing I'm there.

At least someone is happy I'm at my new job .

"I got Heston," I say to Cece.

She nods and continues counting out cash as I go to the grill side. Heston has sat himself down at the same spot as yesterday, which I take as his usual spot.

"Morning, Heston," I say cheerily.

"Morning," he says, smiling at me. It's like a haunted smile, but still, he seems so charming.

"What can I get you today? Yesterday you had the breakfast burger, chips and orange juice. Do you want the same?" I ask, trying to show I can learn orders.

"That'll do," he says, taking off his ball cap and hanging it on his knee.

"Morning, Heston," Cece says as she walks in from the cafe side.

She goes to sit beside him and looks at me. "Get me a salad and a glass of orange juice, please, Dillon."

I jot it down and go hang up the order for the cook to make. I pour out two glasses of orange juice and set them down in front of them.

"Dillon, stay a moment," Cece says. "We haven't really gotten to know each other," she smiles warmly. "There's no one in the cafe at the moment."

I nod. "Sure, what do you want to know?"

"Where are you from? Where is your family?" Cece asks.

I can't help but feel she's fishing for information for Heston more than herself. "I'm from Austin. Both my parents have passed away, so it's just me. "

"Oh well, I'm sorry to hear that," Cece says. "What made you move to Ironhaven?"

"I'm looking for a fresh start. Life got stale, and a lot of bad luck is tied to Austin." I give a courteous smile.

"Well, that's too bad. I hear the big cities are lovely places. Can't beat a sleepy town, though, where everyone knows everyone's business." Cece sips her orange juice.

I'm spared any more questions when the cafe door opens, and the bell sounds. "Excuse me."

I hurry along and find a tall, red-haired man standing at the counter. "Where's Cece?"

"She's busy with a customer," I say calmly.

"Probably Heston. Alright, I'll have a latte." He takes out a twenty-dollar bill and sets it down. "You can keep the change. "

"Thanks," I say cheerily as I ring him up. I pocket the change and go to make the latte. "Sugar?" I ask.

"No thanks," he says.

I finish the latte and set it down. "Thanks for coming. If there's anything else I can get you, just ring the bell."

I hear the food order get called up back, and I smile, going to get Heston and Cece's food. I set it before them and look at them, whispering together.

It makes me a little wary.

"Thanks, sweetheart," Heston says in his gruff voice. He turns to his food while Cece turns to hers.

I blush slightly and nod. "It's my pleasure. If there is anything else, you can just holler for me, "

"Dillon, I will holler for you all the time," Heston chuckles.

"Well, now," I say. "It should only be about work-related orders." I wipe the counter and look at his glass of orange juice. "Want some more juice?"

"Pineapple this time," he says.

I nod, whip out a new glass, and fill it with pineapple juice, spilling slightly. I wipe up the mess and bring the juice to Heston.

I move back to the cafe side and stand there waiting for the next customer to arrive. I can hear Cece and Heston talking, and I won't lie; for some odd reason, I'm a little jealous. I kind of wish I could sit down and get to know him. He seems like quite the catch.

I wonder if something is going on between him and Cece .

I banish the thought from my mind. I'm here to work, not to flirt with boys. Especially not rugged, hard-working farmer boys. I sigh softly and go to wipe down the booths again, even though no one has sat in them. A customer walks in, and I help them. They tip me two dollars, and I thank them.

I know it's going to be the lunchtime rush soon so I hurry around making sure everything is perfect. When I can't find anything else to wipe or fill, I start wiping the windows. I put some elbow grease into it. I want Cece to be happy she hired me. I want her to be satisfied that I'm working for her. I want to show her I take pride in every single thing I do. In my work, in my workplace, and in myself.

"Dillon?" Heston calls.

I hurry through the door to the grill. "Yeah, what can I get you? "

"Well, now I'm quite satisfied just laying eyes on you," he chuckles flirtatiously.

I blush again and take out my notepad. "Key lime pie?" I ask curiously. "And a coffee?"

"She knows me already," Heston chuckles. "You hired well, Cece."

"I'm glad you say that, Heston. You know we live to serve here."

"I'll get your pie and coffee," I say, walking back to the cafe side. I carefully dish up a slice of pie, and as I turn to take it to Heston, the plate slips from my hand and shatters on the ground.

Cece comes through quickly. "Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry," I say quickly. "I moved too fast, and the plate slipped from my hand."

"That's okay. Dish up another slice of pie and take it to Heston, and I'll clean this up. "

I nod, shaking slightly. I felt so bad. I dish another slice of pie on a clean plate and grab his cup of coffee before I carefully walk back to where he's sitting and set it down in front of him.

He looks at me curiously.