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    Kee to Bray's Heart
    Kee to Bray's Heart
    Kee to Bray's Heart
    Ebook146 pages2 hours

    Kee to Bray's Heart

    By Teona Bell

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    About this ebook

    When Jakeeta Lewis left her small town with the man she foolishly fell in love with, she burned her bridges. The worst part of her decision was leaving her best friend Bray Toliver. In the heat of their argument, he had said don’t come crying to him when she regretted her choice.

    Jakeeta had been hearing all her life that she was just like her no good mother, so five years later with a four-year old daughter and pregnant, it wasn’t easy to return home. Broke, alone, and desperate, she’s not sure if Bray can forgive her.

    Bray’s now the sheriff, and he’s filled out nice in the last five years. Jakeeta starts to wonder if the attraction she’s feeling toward her best friend was something she denied in the past. More confusing is how Bray treats her. She’s got to stay focused and resolved if she wants to get on her feet. An affair with Bray would only complicate matters. Especially since she’s trying to hide that she’s pregnant and change the image of herself she left behind.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTeona Bell
    Release dateOct 14, 2017
    ISBN9781386109716
    Kee to Bray's Heart

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      Book preview

      Kee to Bray's Heart - Teona Bell

      Chapter 1

      I f you go, you’re going to regret it, and don’t come crying to me when it doesn’t work out! That was what Bray said the day Jakeeta left with her boyfriend. She had thought he was jealous that she was getting out of their small town and mean because he was always so straight-laced and always did what was expected of him .

      You don’t understand, Bray, she’d said, and she cringed thinking about it now. I’m in love. He loves me, and I could drink his bath water.

      As she leaned her head back in the seat, fighting nausea from the bumpy bus ride, the lame words she had spouted embarrassed her. She had said that crap out loud. Even five years ago, when she left Meadow Lynn at twenty-three, her words sounded dumb. She didn’t care.

      Bray’s angry face flashed in her mind. He was so pissed off at her and disappointed. He’d said that too, but her response was a desire to go even more. Back then, she was tired of people putting demands on her, telling her what she should and shouldn’t do, how she shouldn’t follow in her mother’s footsteps.

      Well, I’ve done it now.

      Tears spilled onto her cheeks as she gazed at her baby girl lying asleep on her lap. It must be nice to be that carefree. Wait, no it wasn’t. She was carefree then, and it didn’t work out. A bad boy looked like her future. She almost snorted in amusement. He had driven a motorcycle the entire time she’d known him, talking about that was how she met him. Yeah, it was, but how was she going to put an infant on a motorcycle?

      Over the last four years, Jakeeta and Sky, her daughter, had caught the bus everywhere they needed to go. Meanwhile, Sky’s dad, the loser, had cruised on his motorcycle. What a dimwit she’d been. She laid a hand on her belly.

      A dimwit all the way up until I got pregnant again.

      Hopelessness washed over her, and shame. It took throwing out every ounce of dignity she had to return home, knowing everyone had watched her leave and burn her bridges. Only five years had passed. The length of time she was away was just long enough for everyone to remember how she had thrown Bray’s kindness in his face and told him to get out of her way.

      Her stomach growled, and she eased her purse out from under her sleeping baby girl. A quick search of her wallet turned up six dollars and thirty-five cents. That was all the cash she had, but she had another twenty-five in the bank. She wasn’t down to zero, but she was close.

      Meadow Lynn, the driver announced moments before he pulled into a small bus terminal.

      Crud, Jakeeta muttered and scrambled to gather their things. Sky, baby, wake up. We’ve got to get off the bus.

      Her daughter whined, but she sat up. Big blue eyes blinked at Jakeeta, before she shoved fists into them and scrubbed. She yawned, her little mouth opening wide, and she didn’t bother covering it. I’m hungry, Mommy.

      I know. We can get something at this place I know down the street. I need you to get moving, okay? Can you help me carry this backpack?

      Yeah.

      Yes, Jakeeta said automatically, and they made their way off the bus.

      She wasn’t that far along in the new pregnancy, but her belly poked out a tiny bit. The fact that she had lost weight rather than gained over the last month meant she could hide her pregnancy behind loose clothes. She’d need that much until she could get a job. Hopefully then her boss wouldn’t let her go. However, first things first. She needed to get something to eat and then find a place to stay.

      They walked the hardest journey she had to take. She breathed in. Even the air here was cleaner. She didn’t appreciate it back then, but now she did. Crime level was minimal, and that was a good thing for her little ones. That is, if she could fit in and wouldn’t be chased out of town.

      The diner she intended to stay in came into view, Midnight Diner. They opened twenty-four hours, and the food was amazingly good. Jakeeta wasn’t sure what she could afford to eat, but there must be something to fill Sky’s belly and bring her own hunger down to a manageable level.

      When they walked into the restaurant, the wave of cold air hit Jakeeta, and she shivered, rubbing her arms. Sky, whooped and threw her arms up in the air. It’s cold! Yay, she sang.

      Jakeeta grasped her hand. Hush, Sky.

      She dared to look around. Yup, the patrons were already looking her way. Most of them she recognized, hardworking men and women whose families had lived in Meadow Lynn for generations and who had no plans to ever leave.

      The silver-trimmed red booths with overstuffed cushions were so familiar. Jakeeta had eaten there so many times. In fact, she’d worked as a waitress at the diner from the age of fourteen to fifteen. Then she grew bored with the job and quit to find something else. No notice.

      A waitress with broad hips and a long blonde ponytail came along, wearing a bland uniform of black slacks and a black T-shirt. Jakeeta wondered when that had happened. Five years wasn’t long, but back then, the waitresses had to wear trim yellow dresses with white collars. They weren’t much more stylish, but at least they had color.

      Hey, there, the waitress said with a smile. Just two?

      Yes.

      Jakeeta didn’t recognize her, and from the woman’s expression, she didn’t know Jakeeta either.

      This way.

      Once they were seated, Jakeeta picked up the menu.

      I’m Wendy, and I’ll be your waitress. Do you know what you’d like to drink?

      Two waters please, with lemon in one.

      Sky’s little lips curled. I want soda, Mommy.

      Water, Jakeeta emphasized.

      The woman cast Sky a sympathetic look but didn’t comment, and she walked away. Jakeeta took a deep breath and blew it out then studied the menu. If there were absolutely nothing they could get for under six dollars, then she would use her debit card. She would never let Sky go hungry.

      Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged home.

      Jakeeta stiffened but she forced her gaze up from the menu. A man she had always disliked stood before her, Shem. He had a big mouth and a bad attitude, and he’d never failed to have ugly words to say to Jakeeta.

      It’s Jak, guys, Shem called over his shoulder. Can you believe she’s back? Wait ’til Ms. Alberta finds out. Better yet, Bray.

      Jakeeta pinched her lips together. She didn’t feel like getting into anything with him. He liked to call her Jak, pronounced like Jack, just to piss her off. In the past she fought with him, giving a bunch of mouth as much as she got. It did no good, of course, and all the while inside she felt torn down. Words had always done that to her. She kept the emotions hidden and bit back as hard as she was bitten, but it still hurt.

      Shem leaned down close to Jakeeta. Got nothing to say, Jak? Where’s your boyfriend? Did he abandon you? Whoa, wait! Guys, she’s got a little brat.

      Resolve flew out the window, and Jakeeta narrowed her eyes at Shem. Go ahead, say one bad thing about my daughter. I dare you!

      He must have seen the seriousness of her threat because he laughed and held up his hands as if it were all a joke. But he didn’t say anything.

      One of the guys yelled over to him from the table across the aisle. You better get over here, Shem. She looks like she’ll cut you. That’s how they are in the city. Watch out.

      Shem made some asinine comment that had to do with Jakeeta’s not belonging anymore rather than about her daughter and returned to his table. He continued to throw out insults here and there loud enough for her to hear, but she ignored him.

      The waitress returned. You ready to order, honey?

      One cheeseburger slider and an order of French fries, Jakeeta said. She’d gone over budget just like that.

      I want pancakes, Mommy.

      Jakeeta groaned. Maybe next time, baby.

      Sky folded her arms over her chest and pouted. Jakeeta tapped those cute little lips and then tickled her daughter’s side. Sky burst out laughing and threw her arms around Jakeeta, trying to tickle her. Jakeeta loved how easygoing Sky was. She made it easier to raise her and hoped the baby would be just like her.

      And what would you like? the waitress asked Jakeeta. She assumed the small cheeseburger was just for Sky. Embarrassment made Jakeeta’s scalp tingle.

      No, um, that’s all we want. We’re not that hungry.

      She squeezed Sky’s leg before the bigmouth four-year old gave away the fact that they didn’t have much money. Thankfully, she kept quiet. Wendy brought Sky a few crayons and a thin cheap coloring book. Her daughter got to work and hummed as she filled in the pictures.

      The food arrived, and Jakeeta waited until he waitress left before she set her purse on the table to block anyone else’s view of their food. She used the knife supplied to cut two-thirds of the burger for Sky and half the fries. The rest she piled on a second plate she had requested for herself.

      Too soon, all of Jakeeta’s food was gone, and she watched Sky take her time eating between humming and coloring. Jakeeta’s stomach growled. It wasn’t happy.

      Wendy returned. Is everything okay? Do you need anything else?

      Um, are you hiring here? She tried to keep her voice low enough so no one else would hear.

      The woman shrugged. Right now the only spot open is the midnight shift.

      Jakeeta considered it. She’d have to find someone to watch Sky, but it was possible, at least for a little while. Is the manager in?

      She shook her head. Sorry, she’s out today with a sick kid, but I can give you her number.

      That would be great. Thanks.

      She gave Jakeeta the number.

      Anything else?

      Just the check, please.

      The waitress disappeared, but when she returned, she set down another of her same order, plus a piece of the diner’s famous triple chocolate brownies. Jakeeta let out a yelp of alarm.

      I said the check not this.

      Your order and this is paid for.

      She swallowed. By who?

      The woman glanced over her shoulder, and Jakeeta followed her line of sight. She could feel all the blood leave her head and felt like she might faint. There he stood, the man she was trying to avoid, although she realized how stupid that was. Here in the flesh was the one person that was the hardest of all to return to—Bray.

      By me, he said, with one hand resting atop the gun

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