The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 3

My alarm went off at five o clock, I had to get ready for a day of firsts. I showered and threw on some shorts and a tee shirt that said 'Rons crawfish Boil... Best in Vernon parish '. Apparently Ron didn't really care too much about a dress code. I woke up Stella at 5:30 and got her dressed in a little skirt and tank top. I Fixed her crazy hair into two pigtails and as she padded around in her flip flops, then there was a knock at the door.

" hi Dean. "

" good morning. I figured I'd come early and get started before you left since I didn't have a key. I, uh, brought you some coffee. "

I couldn't help think back to my thoughts last night , as I fell asleep, looking at his tight white shirt and jeans sitting right on his hips. He seemed hotter at 5:45 am holding out a mug of coffee in my direction with a tool belt in the other hand. Yes I was going to enjoy getting my house fixed.

" thanks Dean. I can leave my house key for you. Just leave it somewhere on the porch if you leave before I get back. I'll be at Rons all day if you need anything. But you have my number too. Thank you so much for the coffee."

I smiled at him and Stella looked at him from around my leg. He looked down at her and waved his fingers at her. She just giggled and ran out the door. I grabbed my purse and walked out the door, leaving Dean in my empty house.

The drive to Stella's new daycare was uneventful, the whole way i kept thinking how good this coffee was. I knew she wouldn't cry but she wouldn't talk either ,she was so shy. I hoped she will enjoy it and get adjusted well. I walked in and gave her to her teacher, she is a young girl, around my age and she is very sweet. A short brunette girl who's very pretty. I left and felt relieved that Stella would be with someone younger who I liked. I drove over to Rons and started my day.

The morning rush was slow. There was a lot of people before they went to work but they all moved slow. It was easy to learn how to wait tables with a small town crowd like this. Most people went to Leesville for work some left early and drove to Alexandria for work, and even some worked here in town. I got tips on top of my hourly rate and that was nice. Since I was new in town and new at waiting, people were very nice with tips, I knew that wouldn't last long. Some people asked my story and I beat around the bush just telling them I was a single mom starting over and that really got me tips, not that I wanted it to. But I met almost everyone in town, and I enjoyed it, everyone was so nice.

Elle May came by at the end of breakfast hour around 11 on her lunch break and I was happy to see a friendly face.

" hi Elle May."

" hello darlin child! You got the job! How sweet. I knew you would, Ron is a wonderful man. Did my grandsons help you yesterday? "

" yes! So much. Thank you Elle May, that was so sweet and helpful. They are both so nice. Dean is actually re doing the floors in my house today! "

" well wonderful. Glad I could make him help. I'll just take some crawfish and sweet tea darlin "

I took her order to the kitchen and brought her tea back. She had to be the nicest old lady I've ever met.

I got a text a few minutes later from Dean asking for some craw fish but he would come pick them up. He didn't want me to drive home. I got his order ready and then Ron told me to take my lunch. I figured I'd give the crawfish a try since they were the best in Vernon parish and all. I called and checked on Stella and to my surprise she was doing great. She was talking and participating. It made me feel like I had made the right choice for her, on where to live and that made me feel better than anything could have.

Ron had a beautiful setting. His shack ,half outdoor half indoor restaurant, sat right on the bayou. The frogs were constant, some times you could see some gators and it was just beautiful. I sat with my lunch on the back over looking the water where no one was. Trying to figure out the crawfish to much avail.

"Would you like some help?"

Dean asked me as I watched my first crawfish fly out of my hands and back into the water it came from.

" these crawfish are too good to waste. I really should help you."

The smile on his face was remarkable. And I hadn't seen him smile like that yet. It made me smile.

He showed me how to open the shell and I finally tried one and it was really good. He sat and ate his lunch with me. He asked about my first day at work and asked how Stella was doing at daycare, he actually asked me how my child was doing. This guy who met me yesterday asked me how my child who he also met yesterday was adjusting to her new daycare, I looked at him stupidly for a moment.

"Harlow? Is she ok? Did I say something wrong? Are you ok? "

I stared out into the bayou knowing I was about to share a small piece of me with a stranger.

" you just met us both yesterday and you asked me halfway through the day how she's adjusting to her daycare. To you it is like asking about the weather, but to me it's huge. Once her father went a week without once even asking about her or saying her name, and we lived in he same house."

He was silent. One thing I had already learned about Dean was that he was smart enough not to push. He looked down at his hands and then back up at my face even tho I was still staring out over the water. A tear fell down my face. He had no idea what happened. If he was dead if I still loved him anything. He had no way of knowing. But he wiped my tear from my face and stood up.

" I hope she has the best day ever today. You'll love the floors. I gotta go finish them. I'll see ya tonight"

Then he was gone.

The lunch hour was a little bit more fast but not as much. This town was as small town slow as you could get. I saw many of the same people I saw at breakfast and then some new faces. I loved this job and this town already. Ron was awesome to work for. At 300 he told me lunch was winding down and I could call it a day and he didn't want Stella in daycare all day so I was to leave at 300 every day. I was amazed. Everyone around here cared about family and taking care of each other not just themselves. So I gathered my tips and left. I drove over to the daycare and got Stella who was having a blast and thanked her teacher.

" bye 'manda" Stella told her

My mouth just dropped open. My child who rarely talks to anyone just told her teacher who she met today bye. I coulda cried again. 3rd time in less than 24 hours, I was becoming a sap. I thanked Amanda probably 15 times before I left.

In the car on the way to the store, she wouldn't stop talking either. She told me how she built blocks, ate lunch and took a nap. When we got to the dollar store she was like a different child. She wasn't clinging to my legs, she was jumping around and singing songs. I think that being around children was exactly what she needed.

Elle May had gone home for the day. I walked around and got a ton of food to stock the house, spending half of my tips. Then I got a text from Dean asking me when I was going to be home. I gotta admit I smiled a little when I saw his name pop up on my phone. Stop it.

I told him I was checking out and was on my way. He replied with good. One word but at least he was glad I was coming back. What was I doing? I just met this guy yesterday. I can't be getting all attached to someone. No.