Surrounded

Chapter One

"Old Soul" - The Highwomen

     She pulled the old truck into a spot at the very back of the parking lot and sunk down into the driver's seat. She sighed and allowed the vibrations from the speakers to settle into her muscles and quiet her thoughts. After the restless night she had, the last place she wanted to be was work. She glanced at the clock on the radio and realized she couldn't put it off any longer. stepping down from the cab and slamming the door, she heard a bit of rust pepper the asphalt under her feet. "I really need to weld in those patch panels," she mutters to herself as she makes her way to the entrance of the old brick building. It's boring, but it works for the trucking company.

     "Good morning, Laura," greets the older woman behind the closest desk with a thick drawl. With her gray curly permed hair and sweet voice, Alice had been a grandmotherly figure in Laura's life since she started this job three years ago. "Good morning," Laura responded, setting down her things and preparing for the day.

     By the time lunch break rolled around, she'd been so engrossed in finishing the route schedules that she jumped when Alice cleared her throat. Tearing her eyes from the computer screen, she looked up at Alice standing on the other side of her desk. "Want to walk with me?" Laura didn't even need to respond, she simply grinned and picked up her wallet as she stood to join the other woman. This was their ritual, they always walked to the only café in town, just a couple buildings over on Main Street.

     Every day, Laura couldn't help but admire her small town. Walking down the street, she smiled and greeted everyone that passed, not just to be polite, but because she knew them. Either she'd grown up with them, or they'd known her since she was a baby. There were a few exceptions of course, like Roland; He moved here about a year ago, looking for a slower pace in life. She was sure he'd found it. Being a police officer, the only calls he got were for loose cattle and bored teens trying to find trouble.

     Shaking herself out of her head, she opened the cafe door for Alice, following her over to the counter and sitting on the stool next to her. They ordered their usual, Alice getting brunch and a coffee, and Laura getting a BLT sandwich and Sweet Tea. The ladies talked aimlessly and as usual, Alice was done first, excusing herself to pay and go see her husband at his hardware store before the hour was up. She waved to her friend and had gone back to her meal when she sensed him behind her. He placed a hand on the counter on either side of her, effectively trapping her. Leaning down, he growled out, "Hello, Cookie." She couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips, or the way her heart sped up. Chuckling, she turned on the stool and hugged his neck, "Hello, Arlo."