Moonshine Hollow

Chapter Nine

For the next three days at eleven-thirty sharp the worn out old pick up would come rattling down from Moonshine Hollow and either Peter or Arthur would be there waiting for her with a welcoming smile. They would head up back to the hollow and have lunch at the store.

The boys would disappear for a few hours to make deliveries and Miss Rose stuck around to help Miss Lilly out. She cleaned the main room, washing tables and sweeping the floor, but occasionally she would end up back in the kitchen washing dishes with Miss Lilly talking about innocuous things like how Miss Lilly's garden was coming and the state of the roads back up in the Hollow

The second evening she stayed until dinner. She, the Garrett's, Miss Lilly and her mountain of a husband, Dan, all sat around the large table in the back laughing and talking until the regulars began to show up for the evening. Once the drinking and gambling started Peter immediately escorted her home as though she really was as delicate as the flower of her namesake.

The next night Peter and Forrest were out on a run and so Rose followed Miss Lilly behind the counter and helped her serve and wash dishes all night. The regulars were boisterous but laughed easily and Miss Rose found the routine of serving and cleaning cathartic.

It was nearly eleven when Peter and Forrest trudged in the door, both looking haggard. Peter slid up to the counter. He narrowed his eyes as he spied her carrying clean glasses in from the kitchen. "Arthur was supposed to give you a ride home," he said looking around the room for Arthur.

Rose smiled sweetly, "He's playing cards at the table in back."

Peter frowned, and turned toward the back room. Rose reached out and grabbed his arm. "It's not his fault," she said. "Please, don't be mad at him."

Peter looked down at her hand on his bicep and back to her.

She followed his gaze and snatched her hand back as though she had been burned. Her eyes widened, "I – " she stammered and dropped her eyes to the floor. "I asked to stay...so I could help out," she explained to her shoes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Then she hurried into the kitchen.

Miss Lilly and Forrest were both frowning at Peter.

"What?" He asked, "I didn't do anything!"

Miss Lilly sniffed and followed after Miss Rose.

Peter shook his head and turned to Forrest. "What just happened?"

Forrest stared at his brother for a beat before he reached back across the counter and pulled out the books. "Somebody hurt her." He took the books and disappeared upstairs.