Page 22 of Truck Stop Tempest
“HOW YA DOIN’ TODAY, Toodaloo?” Charlie asked, eyes red and moist from the sting of freshly chopped onions.
“You know how they say you are what you eat?” I poured myself a glass of orange juice. Not the breakfast I needed, but I was grateful nonetheless.
“Mmhmm,” Charlie mumbled, his knife moving in a blur against the wood board.
“Well, today, I’m Cheez Whiz,” I deadpanned. “That’s how I’m doing.”
Electricity had been a no-go since I’d moved into my brother’s home. My supply of nonperishables had dwindled since Tito started driving me home, leaving me two options for last night’s dinner: canned cheese and crackers, or a can of tuna. Tuna would’ve been the healthy option, but the can opener had rusted through and snapped in half three days ago.
Charlie laughed. “So, you’re a gooey mess, but morbidly delicious.”
“Sounds about right.” I gulped my O.J.
“Oh, hey,” he said, pointing his knife my way. “There were a couple of calls for you this morning.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
Weird. “You sure about that?”
“Don’t know anyone else named Tuuli.”
Not good. Definitely not good. “Did they leave a message?”
“No.” Charlie swiped a knuckle under his eyes. “The guy was a gentleman, though.”
“Thanks, Charlie.” I pulled my apron strings tight before tying the knot and scooted past the giant, wondering who my mystery caller might’ve been. I wasn’t left to ponder long because when I entered the dining room, Erik stood at the counter in a light gray suit that looked hand-tailored, and shoes that were too pointy. His platinum hair was slicked back and set hard into perfection. Try as he might, no amount of designer clothing or beauty products for men would mask the trailer trash bully I knew him to be.
“What do you want?” I forced my gaze upward, then higher still, into his stone-cold eyes. Held my ground for a good ten seconds before wimping out and busying myself with the menus.
“That’s no way to greet an Elder, Tuuli.”
My insides vibrated. “You are not my Elder. I no longer belong to your church.”
He merely flashed his over-bleached set of porcelains and said, “That’s a good one, little girl.” Laughing, he pulled at the knot on his tie. “You and me, we are the church. We are the future, or have you forgotten?”
“How could I forget? You seared it into my skin and brain for years.” I winced at my outburst, bracing for a strike that didn’t come. Eyes to the ground, I whispered, “My brother said—”
Long fingers clamped around my arm, silencing me with the threat of pain. Erik tilted his head but didn’t dare lower himself to my level. “I know all about the deal you made with your brother. Had a nice chat with him yesterday. Straightened a few things out.”
“Yeah?” I yanked my arm free, praying he wouldn’t turn violent in public. “Straightened what out, exactly?” I hadn’t seen or heard from my older sibling in months. I didn’t dare let Erik know I was out of the loop.
“He told me why you’re working in this shit hole. Told me about his promise to free you from your duty. Problem with that arrangement, Tuuli, is that you were never his to set free.”
I knew where the discussion was headed. My opinion, my voice, no matter how loud, would make no difference. Regardless, I opened my mouth to speak.
Erik silenced me with a hard glare. “Hold your tongue, girl. You’ve forgotten your place. I’m done with the games. Get your things; you’re coming home with me.”
“No,” I snapped, taking a step back, surprising myself.
The cowbell rattled, drawing Erik’s attention to the door. Fearing his retribution, I took the opportunity to put more space between us and stepped behind the counter.
Tucker came my way, holding a squealing Lucia in his arms. Tucker, who was tall, blonde, and blue-eyed, would’ve been perfectly acceptable to Erik if it weren’t for his dark-skinned, ebony-haired daughter.
Oh, no. No. No. Please. No. Keep walking. Don’t…
“Hi, Tuuli. Mind holding her for a sec?” Tucker settled the baby in my arms. “Be right back.”