Page 77 of Dark Side of the Cloth (The Righteous 1)
In a daze, Yasmine hobbled down the street towards Mabel’s. She couldn’t take the silence of her house or reading about one more terrible thing that one human had inflicted on another. She’d spent the better part of three days reading one graphically horrific detail after another. The things in that folder would make anyone’s head spin: rapists, serial killers, pedophiles, abusers. The list of offenses was endless, and some were by people she’d thought she knew, people she’d brought comfort to in their time of need.
The bell jingled as she pushed open the door to the quaint diner.
“Well, hello there, darlin’! I’m glad to see you out of the house. I was going to bring you some soup tonight, but this works even better,” Mabel said.
The older woman smiled at her.
“Yeah, it sounds like it’s going to be a long healing process. But, look at you, you seem as good as new?” Yasmine teased.
“Sweet girl, I’m better than new. You can’t keep me down.” Mabel wiped her hands on her apron. “Go on and grab any booth. I’ll get you that soup and a coffee.”
Yasmine dropped down into the largest booth, placing the annoying and cumbersome crutches beside her. She stared at the sprinkling of snow falling outside and the people walking by the large window. Life kept on moving forward no matter what happened. Her sister's death didn’t stop the world from spinning, even if that was how it felt to her, and eventually, she learned to put one foot in front of the other again. Laughter caught her attention, and she looked up to see a family enjoying lunch. The little boy had his spoon stuck to his nose as he made a face. She smiled at the silly display.
“Penny, for your thoughts?” Mabel slid into the booth across from her and placed the cup of coffee and bowl of soup down for her.
“Have you ever been so conflicted about the right thing to do that it left you…” Unable to find the right word, Yasmine waved her hand around, making Mabel laugh.
“Darlin’, you don’t live as long as I have and not felt like that once or twice.”
“Fair enough.” Yasmine smiled at the older woman.
“This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with a certain tall, dark and handsome priest, would it?” Mabel’s voice was low, but even so, Yasmine could feel the heat spread throughout her body. “It’s okay. You don’t need to answer that. I can tell by the look on your face that I’ve guessed right. Besides, the air practically sizzles with tension when the two of you are in the same room.” Mabel’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You must know I’ve been hoping you two would get it on.”
“Mabel!” Yasmine looked around, hoping no one heard that as Mabel laughed.
“What? I’m just speaking the truth.”
Yasmine sighed.
“He’s just not who I thought he was, and I don’t know how to be okay with that,” Yasmine admitted.
“Darlin’, you deserve so much better than what the good Lord dealt you. What you went through, no child should have to endure. If he brings you a slice of happiness, then I say run with it. I, for one, think he is good for you.”
“But he’s a priest,” Yasmine whispered.
“I may be old, but I’m not blind. If that boy is a priest, then I’m the next coming of Christ.” Yasmine stared wide-eyed at the older woman, not sure what to say.
“Don’t worry, his secret is safe with me. I figured it out the moment he stepped foot in this town that he was not who he said he was, but I can tell you this, he has been good for this area.”
Mabel leaned back in the booth, and Yasmine had to wonder how much more Mabel had pieced together.
“The point is, does he make you happy? Does he make you want to get up in the morning with a smile on your face and howl to the moon at night with pleasure?”
Yasmine choked on her spoonful of soup and proceeded to laugh, the first real laugh she’d had since before her stalking trip to the woods.
“You could say that,” Yasmine said as she blushed.
“Then don’t let it get away. That’s my two cents, take it or leave it. I’m sending you home with dinner, no arguments. I owe you for helping take care of these old bones.” Yasmine opened her mouth to argue, but Mabel held up her finger. “I said no arguments, don’t you dare sass an old woman.”
Smiling, Yasmine clamped her mouth shut and watched the wily old woman wander away. Yasmine once more stared at the people outside.
When had she made a decision solely for herself because it was what she wanted?
She couldn’t think of a single time.
When has she been as certain of anything as she was of her feelings for him?
Never.
