dragon fire

chapter 9

new chapter. thanks for reading.

Walking into the bakeshop the next morning, Lisa is nowhere to be seen, but Quinn is in the back. He turned hearing me, before I could say anything. "Hey. You're in early." Setting my bag down, I said. "I woke up early and decided I would just come in, and give you a hand. What can I do to help?"

"I have almost all of it done, but you can go to the front and put together some more boxes, and cut twine, if you want." I nodded, and grabbed my apron and went out front. But before I left I can't help but ask.

"Where's Lisa? Is she off today?" "No, she'll be in later, she said something about going into the city."

How I would love to go to the city, but I can't; not right now at least. This town might have things like a market, and pharmacy; but sometimes you need more than that. Even if it is just a change of scenery.

Standing behind the counter; cutting string all different lengths someone knocked on the window, opening the door making the bell ring. "Morning." I said turning around, Tina's standing there looking a little rougher than usual.

"What time did you leave last night?" She asked, leaning against the counter, her eyes a little puffy. "Late. I put you in bed, and headed home. You were a little..... Well let's just say you weren't up for arguing when I left." She started laughing. "Yeah I guess I got a little carried away, huh?" I nodded.

"Thanks for last night, I really needed it." "Yeah I did to. I don't have a lot of friends, so when I met you, I knew you and I would get along great."

Just then Quinn came out carrying a tray of muffins. "Can I get a couple of those to go?" He nodded. "Sure." "You look a little rough. I take it, you two had a good time last night." I nodded, remembering everything she drank last night.

Quinn got her a couple muffins and handed them to her. "Oh how was the dinner party last night?" "It was fun actually. A lot better than I thought it would be. I waited upstairs for you, but it got late and you still didn't come home, I just called it a night, and went home." We both gave him a look, both a little shocked.

"You were waiting for me? Why?" Shrugging he said. "To make sure you got home alright. But I can see that you did, since your standing next to me." Tina gave us a weird look. She started to grab some money from her wallet but Quinn stopped her.

"It's on the house." "Thanks, come into the diner for lunch or something. I heard we're getting some blueberry pies in, there still your favorite?" He nodded, setting the tray in the case. "Good. I have to go, if we don't open on time then the customers will get a little snippy with me. Thanks again for the muffins, and for last night Shayla." I nodded and she left, pulling down her sunglasses, to shield her eyes from the sun.

"She had a lot to drink last night." "How about you? How are you feeling?" "Fine. I didn't have as much as she did." Turning my back to him, I finished cutting string, without looking at him I asked.

"So since it's just to two of us, tell me the real reason you waited at my door last night." Moving beside me, his arm bumped mine, sending tingles through me. "I told you the reason, to make sure you got home alright." "Yes well, for some reason I don't overly believe you." I said turning to look at him.

He didn't look at me, but I can see a smile playing on his lips. "Believe what you want, I told you the reason; and I'm not going to back down from it."

Stepping back; I went into the back, with Quinn right on my heels. He closed the door sealing us both in the kitchen. Suddenly the very large kitchen is feeling very small right now. "Shayla I don't know what it is, but I feel very protective of you. I have no idea what it is, but it's like I can't let anything bad happen to you."