Raw Desire by Kate Pearce Page A

minutes ago.”
    Lauren carried on as if she hadn’t heard her. “I don’t allow cell phones.”
    â€œI get that.” Ally eased the cheap phone back into her pocket. “As I said, I’ve already finished for the morning. I’ll be back at nine tonight to clean up, okay?”
    Lauren stepped out of the way, her expression still sour, as if she was almost disappointed that Ally had lasted this long. “Don’t be late.”
    â€œI won’t be.” Ally manufactured a smile and headed for the back door. Fig met her coming the other way. He handed her a small wrapped parcel. “Here’s your lunch.”
    Ally glanced back at Lauren, but she was deep in conversation with one of the waitresses. “I don’t think I get lunch.”
    Fig shrugged. “Take it with you. It’s an egg muffin sandwich.”
    â€œThanks, Fig.” Ally clutched the paper bag in her hand. “That’s really nice of you.”
    â€œNo problem. See you tomorrow.”
    Ally nodded and walked out, the heat from the wrapped sandwich warming her hand, much as Fig’s thoughtfulness warmed her heart. The waitresses hadn’t been too friendly with her either. But then she hadn’t expected them to be. Her name was mud in this town and that was that.
    She opened the paper bag and bit into the soft egg, fighting a moan of pure greed. By this time she was almost home, so she slowed down to finish the sandwich and then tucked the paper into her pocket. She heard her name being called and looked up to see Jane waving at her and managed a smile. “Hey.”
    Jane strolled over, a small white dog peeking out of her big plaid purse. She wore a blue denim dress that reached midcalf and matched her eyes. “How are you doing, Ally?”
    â€œOkay, I guess. How about you?”
    â€œI’m fine.” Jane fell into step beside Ally. “What were you doing in the diner?”
    â€œI’m working there, just temporarily.”
    â€œDoing what?”
    â€œClearing tables, taking out the trash, the usual stuff.” Though Ally tried to keep her voice light, she knew from Jane’s shocked expression that she wasn’t buying it. “Where are you working now?”
    â€œI teach fourth grade at the elementary school. That’s why I’m not exactly busy right now.” Jane shuddered. “The thought of teaching summer school this year was too awful to contemplate.”
    â€œActually, I’m going back to college in the fall to train to be a teacher. That’s one of the reasons I’m working through the summer, so I can save up some money.”
    â€œYou’re going to be a teacher?” Jane smiled politely. “Well, good luck with that. I’m just about ready to retire, but the benefits are too good to lose.”
    â€œI’m sure it’s very hard work,” Ally said diplomatically. Jane wasn’t the first teacher who had warned her off the career. Ally turned the corner onto her street and paused.
    â€œWell, I have to get home now. I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
    But Jane was already looking past her to the sight of Jackson’s big black truck parked in Ally’s driveway. “Is that Jackson in your drive?”
    Ally pretended to squint. “I’m not sure. Is that his truck?”
    â€œIt sure is.” Jane started walking again. “I wonder what he wants.”
    It seemed from Jane’s fierce expression that although she had forgiven Rob, and even Ally, for what had happened to her sister Susan, she didn’t feel the same way about Jackson.
    Jackson straightened up as Jane and Ally approached him and wiped his hands on an old rag. His black hair glinted with blue lights in the fierce sun. “Hey.”
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Jane demanded. “Don’t you think Ally has enough to put up with without you bugging her?”
    Over the top of