Welcome to Valley View (Valley View Book 1)

Chapter 2

Tyler grabs a napkin to wipe his mouth and then tosses everything into the middle of the table. "Alright ladies, this dessert was great, but I better head out to get this one's car. Any way I could get a coffee for the road, Candy?"

"Of course you can, Tyler." She goes back around the counter and fills up a to-go cup and places a few packages of sugar next to them. "Just give me a ring when you're back or Jimmy can, whatever"

Tyler drops a twenty on the table and waves to us both before heading out the door. I move to the front counter so she can finish cleaning the booth. When she comes back around she holds up the coffee pot, offering me a cup.

"No thanks. You probably don't have any wine or beer here, do you?"

"Oh girl, I'm not too sure you're going to find wine in any eating establishment in this town and Rikki's definitely doesn't have a liquor's license."

"That's a shame, but I'll survive. This place isn't a wine town?"

She just gives me a chuckle as she makes her way around to the other booths to take care of the other booths. Candy works the room with such ease. She knows everybody that is there from the old cowboys that are probably at retirement age to the group of young construction workers in the corner. Even the old ladies sitting a booth probably gossiping about everybody in the town are full of smiles with Candy walks by.

She finally makes her way back over to me, topping off my water.

"Sorry about that. Even when I'm not technically working I can't help but pitch in when I'm around."

"It's not a problem. I'm not going anywhere. I mean, literally, I can't go anywhere."

"We'll get everything figured out for you, babe, don't worry."

She goes back to working and I just pull out my phone and scroll through social media. About a half hour later she tosses her apron underneath the counter and comes back around to the front. "Tyler just text me. He said he towed your car in, but whatever is wrong is way above his knowledge. Jimmy can't look at it until tomorrow though."

"Well shit. So what's a girl got to do to find a motel around here?"

Candy waves me off with a "pssh" sound. "Oh girl, we're friends now. I'd never make you stay in some motel for who nows how long. You can stay with me."

Her continuing hospitality is very different from the big city people I'm used to living with. "I can't put you out any more than I already have."

"You're not putting me out at all. Plus my apartment is right upstairs, so it is super convenient to get to and right in the middle of town."

"No really, you've done so much for me already."

Candy loops her arm in mine as we start heading for the door to the diner.

"It really isn't a problem, Tiff. There aren't a lot of gals around here that are my age and not married with babies. As long as you're going to be here, I'm going to take advantage of your friendship.'

"Here," she hands me a keychain, "if you go up these stairs here and turn left, Apartment #2 is mine."

"Where are you going?"

Candy heads over to her truck and hands them to me.

"I'm just going to go run some errands and maybe pick up some groceries. Go and make yourself at home."

A yawn escapes at that moment and I laugh a little, "I guess I could relax up there, huh?"

"Help yourself and I'll bring something home for dinner from the diner."