Rescuing Alix by Krista Ames
Chapter Four
Alix stared aimlessly out the window as she washed down the tables after the late morning rush. She was kidding herself if she didn’t admit she was waiting for a glimpse of Kody. She’d watched the news last night about how bad the newspaper fire was and thought he probably didn’t get in til late, not that that was any big deal for the firefighters. They would stay up half the night battling a fire if they had to and still be on time for their next shift. Thank goodness there weren’t any casualties. Did they sleep at the station when they got in late? Did they even have a place for beds there? It looked like a pretty big place but who knew for sure. Would he be at work today?
Chloe tapping on Alix’s back scared the daylights out of her.
“You’re going to take the finish off the table if you wash it much longer.”
“For Pete’s sake, you scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“What’s going on with you? You’ve been out in left field all morning.”
“I know, I’m sorry. Just a lot on my mind I guess.”
“That ‘a lot on your mind’ wouldn’t be a certain fire fighter, would it? You’ve been staring out that window every chance you’ve had today. He won’t magically appear ya know?”
“Well I can’t help it; I wish he would magically appear. That would involve a lot less stress and high blood pressure which I’m sure is in abundance at my ripe old age.”
“Oh yes, twenty-seven is old. Good thing you’ve got a few months on me. Good lord Alix; get a grip. You are far from old and you just met the man yesterday, how about you grow a little patience.”
“I have no patience at least where my dating life is concerned. Hence the no dates I’ve had recently. I knew I should have sworn off men all together. Life would be so much easier that way. Oh man, I’m hiding in the back; you are so helping this guy. He was here yesterday and creeped me out.”
“What? Oh, thanks a lot, who is he?” Chloe was busy running around behind the counter.
“I don’t even remember his name, but I am seriously not here.” Alix hollered over her shoulder as she made a mad dash for the kitchen to hide in their little attached office.
He was way too friendly with her and she wasn’t giving him a second chance, he’d already ruined the first impression. That guy was the epitome of stalker material. The doors’ bell jingled as it opened. Alix could just barely hear the guy talking to Chloe but even the mere sound of his voice gave her the creeps.
“Alix! Psst…”
When she heard Chloe whisper, she peeked out of the office door.
“What’s wrong?”
“You are so seriously in trouble for leaving me to help that one. Can’t we post a sign on the door that says no weird people allowed?”
“I told you he creeped me out yesterday. Thank goodness Kody was here so I didn’t have to be alone with him. He was mean to Kody too, even tried to pick a fight over my attention.”
“Hello, where’d you go? I don’t have all day to wait for this sandwich. It wasn’t that good yesterday.”
“Is he serious? I wish he’d just leave.” The women would be glad to get rid of this guy.
There was a small opening in the wall so the women could see who came and went while they were making the food but thankfully it blocked most of the kitchen from whomever might be standing at the cash register so the creepy guy couldn’t see them. They both heard the jingle again and Chloe peaked out.
“Speaking of firemen, yours is coming in the door now.”
“Oh crap, I don’t need a repeat of yesterday. Please don’t leave this time Chloe, at least until that guy is gone.”
Alix crept from her hiding spot and both women stepped out of the kitchen together. Chloe moved to help the creepy guy while Alix went straight around the cash register to Kody.
***
Shit! Not again, can’t a guy just get some lunch without being harassed?
Kody hesitated after he stepped a foot inside The Sand Bucket. He’d been waiting all morning for lunch time only to have it ruined by none other than that weird guy who tried to pick a fight with him yesterday.
Kody had to restrain himself from walking right back out the door. He was sure the geeky guy would like nothing better than for him to tuck tail and run. Well not today, he came for lunch and a date and he wasn’t leaving until he got both. He also didn’t trust the guy around Alix. Kody ignored the other guy completely and walked straight up to Alix who’d just come from the back all smiles.
“Hi Kody, glad you came back today.” She moved in to give him a quick hug.
Now that’s a greeting I’d take every day.
“Alix, it’s great to see…”
“Excuse me Alix, I was here first. Don’t you think you should be helping me?”
Really?
Kody’s face immediately lit with fury but then pride as he watched Alix snap into action. Disgust crowded her features as she held a hand up to stop the man’s comments.
“What did you say your name was again sir?”
“Ralph, and I’m a bit put off that you didn’t remember that.”
This guy was an idiot. Kody wouldn’t have to worry about any competition where Alix was concerned because this guy was going to dig his own hole. She looked like she wanted to hang the man and he’d gladly stick around for backup. Guys like this had the potential to do harm, it was written all over his face. How she managed to stay calm up to now was impressive.
“Well Ralph, I’m quite sorry, wait…I’m not really sorry at all that you’re put off. You were already being helped by my associate and if anything, this man in front of me should be offended because you were rude and out of line to intrude on a private conversation.”
This was a new side of Alix he was seeing and he liked it; made him more convinced that she was a very well rounded person. She was clearly smart, independent and besides beautiful, quite spunky. However, her tirade looked to only be pissing Ralph off further.
“Now, I think it’s past time you left here.”
Kody fought off a laugh when she pushed a hand toward him again, this time to stop his progress.
“I mean it, leave now or I’ll be forced to call the police and have you escorted out.”
“Why you bit…”
Enough was enough, Kody couldn’t take any more. He’d taken self-defense classes a few years back with some of the guys and knew he could take this guy so he grabbed the other man’s wrist and had his arm pinned up behind his shoulder blades in two seconds flat, pushing him right for the door.
“And don’t come back, ever!” He yelled out the door as the offender tripped all over trying to right himself out on the sidewalk. Kody made apologies to a few passersby who’d had their walk interrupted. He also hadn’t realized a few customers had come in The Sand Bucket during the ordeal and apologized to them as well.
He felt bad for how disheveled Alix looked as she walked toward him, motioning for him to sit at a nearby table.
“I’m so sorry for all of this Kody. I feel awful.”
He couldn’t help but notice how badly her hands shook as she gripped them tightly together atop the table. Instinct had him reaching to cover them, offering her what comfort he could. It was the first time he’d initiated a touch and he almost pulled away, surprised at the sheer emotion that rippled through him. He wondered if she’d felt it too. At that same moment her hands went still, he looked up to find surprised stormy hazel eyes staring back at him.
“I’m sorry to be so forward.” He slowly released her soft dainty hands. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”