Carmen watched Liam drive off in the truck. He was pissed about Pete and he had every right to be. She still worried about him on the truck, though. Working alone had played a part in her father’s death. It didn’t matter that Liam was younger and stronger. Overworked was overworked.
She turned back to the kitchen. Now that Liam was gone, the full force of being back there hit her. The cool metal of the stainless steel counter reminded her of leaning against there, hoping her mom would forget she’d come in the back door. She’d always preferred the back of house, the kitchen to the front with the customers, regardless of what she’d said to Liam.
The noise and pace and smells made her feel at home.
But standing in the silence, only memories flooded her brain. Her dad yelling at the counter
