“A two-egg omelet with diced capsicum, tomato, and lots of cheese.”
“Got it.” He placed her order, and while their food was being prepared, led her to the central servery. With a plate in hand, he nodded toward the fresh fruit. “Stack it up, and add a handful of those nuts and raisins for extra energy.”
“Good idea. I’ll need a ton of that to keep up with Lydia. With the freedom she’s about to experience, she’ll be hard to pin down.”
“You’ll be careful, right? Follow all the regular safety rules.” He tweaked her chin then frowned and slowly dropped his hand away. “Sorry, gotta stop touching you. Safety comes first, all right?”
“I won’t forget, and we’ll take good care of each other, as we always have.” Whenever Ben had taken them shopping, for clothing or other personal necessities, he’d ushered them around in their disguises and made certain they were aware of any possible dangers. Even those times when she’d had to fulfill her practical hospital rotations, Ben had drilled into her what she had to watch out for. Most of those assignments though had been set within a secured ward, and he’d remained close by. She wouldn’t have the safety blanket of having him on hand today, but everything he’d taught her was deeply ingrained and she’d never forget. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I’ll worry nonetheless. It comes with the job.”
She selected slices of pineapple, watermelon, and pawpaw for them both. With all he’d asked for plated up, she chose two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. “Lead the way to the table.”
“Stay right behind me, one step, no more.” Ben weaved ahead around the edge of the area and she followed through the throng. He hadn’t needed to say such a thing. Old habits obviously died hard, for both of them.
At their table, she sat and popped a cube of sweet pineapple in her mouth. “Mmm, this is delicious.”
“I’ll go and grab our hot food. No moving from this area.” He strode away to collect their order.
“Excuse me. Would you like a hot drink? Tea or coffee?” A dark-haired waitress held a teapot in one hand and a coffee pot in the other, her smile wide and welcoming.
“Two coffees please.” No sudden jumping that time. She’d be able to tell Henry he could stop whistling when he drew near.
The woman poured steaming coffee into the two white cups sitting in the center of the table next to a dainty milk jug and sugar pot. After dipping her head, the waitress strolled on toward the next table.
“I watched. You did great.” Ben set her plate in front of her, sat and picked up his knife and fork.
“I feel like a regular person. No more antagonizing fears for me.” She ate and enjoyed every delicious mouthful of her omelet while he consumed his own. Finished, she added milk and sugar to their coffees and nudged Ben’s cup toward him. “What will you tell Brigs and Tyler?”
“About…” He sipped his drink. “Ah, do you mean what I told you last night?”
“Yes. They’d both understand, and neither would pass judgment on you.” They were best mates. He needed to open up to them, share some of his feelings.
“I’ll think about it. Guys aren’t the same as girls. We don’t need to discuss every little thing. We have boundaries we don’t cross.”
“That’s silly. Boundaries are meant to be crossed, and discussion is good for the soul. Where are your parents these days?” The subject would be a touchy one, but unless she kept pushing him to talk, he’d never open up on his own. She squeezed his hand. “Tell me.”
“The man who fathered me passed away while serving time for the double rape. I never met him, just received the notification through the system he’d died of a heart attack. Mary Hammers lives in England. Three months after I was born, she left the country and never returned.”
The pain of his mother’s abandonment had to have hurt, no matter the reason. She cupped his cheek. “You were an innocent child, and if I have to tell you that a million times, I will.”
“And you deserve the very best. One day you’ll find the right man.” He gulped his coffee down and scraped his chair back. “Come on. Time’s marching on. You can’t miss your flight.”
Their conversation wasn’t finished, but she did need to leave.
In her room, she changed into a long, cap-sleeved cream dress with a lacy yellow waist panel while he dressed in black chinos and a dark blue cotton t-shirt.