Chapter One
Elliot stepped out onto the back porch with a cup of coffee & cigarettes in hand. She sat down in an old worn-in rocking chair just as the sun was starting to rise. She took in a deep breath of the fresh and crisp country air before pulling her Zippo out of her pocket and lighting her cigarette. She took a drag followed by a sip of her coffee and looked around at her serene new surroundings. In her direct line of sight was a peaceful lake glistening in the morning sun, and surrounding her aunt's very modest cabin was a forest of beautiful trees painted with the reds and oranges of early autumn. It was a view that she would be happy waking up to every morning. Elliot always loved visiting her aunt during the scorching southern summers as a teen, and now, as an adult, she was excited to make her favorite getaway her home. Elliot was at peace here in this small Georgia town. It was quiet, laid back, and everything moved slower, which was something she needed and wanted after living in the busy city for so long.
"C'mon, girl! Let's get movin'!" Elliot heard her Aunt Josie's call from around the front of the cabin as she finished up the last few sips of the now chilly coffee sitting in the bottom of her favorite handmade mug. Elliot made her way down the stairs and around to Josie's red Jeep Grand Cherokee parked at the top of the winding gravel driveway. "S'about time, slow poke," Josie said with a grin. She was 20 years Elliot's senior, but she didn't look or act that way. She was a gorgeous and vibrant 45, who didn't look a day over 30, that all the men in town just adored. "The Diner ain't gonna open itself." She chuckled and started down the narrow driveway.
Elliot gazed out the window of the older model SUV as the two of them traveled down the small country back road towards Josie's diner. "I really appreciate you letting me move in with you," Elliot spoke quietly. "Oh, honey," Josie replied, "I'm glad to have you. Ever since my Stevie passed, it's been a little lonely around here. I'm glad to have the company. 'Sides, you're giving me a hand at The Diner and Shooter's." Elliot fiddled with her lighter in her hands. "I'm happy to help ya out and even happier to get away from...everything. Just nervous cause I've never waitressed or bartended before." Josie smiled and patted Elliot's leg. "I know,sweetie. These past few months have been hard on ya, and it's gonna take some time to get back to your old self. As far as The Diner and Shooter's go, don't be nervous. Ain't nothin' to it, 'specially in a small place like this. You'll do just fine." Josie gave Elliot a reassuring smile and placed her hand on top of her niece's.
Elliot hoped her aunt was right. She had been having a really difficult time since the accident a few months ago, but she tried to keep her head up. Her mother always told her that everything happens for a reason, and even though she had no idea what that reason was, it was one of the few things that allowed her to get out of bed each morning. If she could deal with the mountain of emotional stress that she's been under recently, surly she could serve up some home cookin' and beer to these small town folks with no problem.
Elliot reached for her Bohemian style bag at her feet and pulled out the half empty pack of cigarettes. "No ma'am," Josie said, "Not in here." She pulled the SUV around the back of The Diner. She shut off the engine and grabbed her purse from the back seat. "Elliot, honey. You have your smoke. I'll go on inside and get the coffee goin'. C'mon in when you're ready."
Elliot took a cigarette out of the pack, then tossed the rest in her bag that was hanging diagonally across her chest and resting on her hip. She lit it with her hot pink Zippo as she leaned her curvy body against her aunt's SUV. She took a few drags and pulled her cell phone from the back pocket of her bright green skinny jeans. There were a few messages from friends and acquaintances sending their condolences and kind words. She closed the messages and opened the gallery that contained her favorite candid photograph of her mother baking a cake from scratch wearing a flour covered apron. Elliot's throat and stomach tightened as she fought back tears. "Time to put your big girl panties on, Ellie," she mumbled to herself. "There's work to be done."
She put her phone back in the pocket of her tight colored jeans and stared down at her feet, her left one perched on top of her right one. She looked up at the sounds of a loud rumbling muffler coming up the road. Elliot threw the butt to the ground and stopped it out with her black and white Chucks.
She peeked around the side of The Dinner to find an old blue and gray pick up truck parked in the front space. The man in the driver's seat was finishing up a cigarette as he got out of the truck and headed for the door. Elliot couldn't help but stare. He was wearing a red flannel button down that accentuated his gorgeously broad shoulders along with a pair of dark wash loose-fitting jeans that sat perfectly on his slender waist and made his ass look incredible. He flicked the butt behind him, and it just barely missed hitting the other man on the arm. "Watch it, little brother," the man hissed as they went inside.
Elliot felt her skin heating up as her cheeks became flushed. She started fumbling in her bag as she quickly made her way to the back door of The Diner. She gave herself a few small splashes of her sweet-smelling perfume and slipped a piece of spearmint gum in her mouth as she went inside. "Here, baby. Put this on," Josie said as she tossed Elliot a small black waist apron. "You've got your first customers of the day waiting for ya at table 3."
Elliot was blushing still at the thought of the stranger's perfect ass. Her skin was almost feverish, so she ditched her form-fitting black jacket in hopes of alleviating some heat. She tied the apron around her waist and pulled the small notepad and black ink pen from one of the pockets as she made her way to the men's table.
Josie tugged on Elliot's arm as she walked passed her and whispered in her ear, "That's the Dixon brothers. Daryl there, on the left, he's quiet and sort of...awkward, but he's sweet. You don't have to worry about him. But Merle, on the right there, watch out. He'll probably say somethin' nasty to ya or try to grab your ass. Best not to get 'im all rilled up. Even this early in the mornin', Merle Dixon's gotta bite to 'im." Elliot nodded.
As she got closer to their table, they both turned in her direction. Daryl was biting the inside of his cheek and staring a hole through her with his hooded ice blue eyes. At this point, she had no clue what Merle even looked like because all she could see was Daryl. Elliot's hands began to shake as she unconsciously bit her bottom lip and cracked her knuckles. She's always hated her nervous habits. Finally, the journey to their table that felt like it had taken years had ended. She was standing in front of the Dixon brothers and finally found the strength to introduce herself.
"Mornin' boys," she said with her slight southern twang. "My name's Elliot. What can I do for ya?" Merle looked her up and down with a fierceness in his eyes. He stared from her wavy dark red shoulder length hair to her big green eyes and down to her pouty pink lips.
"I can think of a few things you can do for me, sweet cheeks," he spat out with a crooked grin as he licked his lips.
"Very funny, Merle," she spat right back at him saying his name as if it left a bad taste in her mouth. He made her feel uneasy, and not just because her aunt had warned her about him. He seemed a bit like a sneaky snake in the grass waiting to strike a defenseless little mouse.
"Ah, so you've heard of me, have ya? Promise I'm not as bad as they say, unless ya want me to be," he said with a wink as he sat forward in his chair and put his elbows on the table. His dirty white wife beater was peeking through his half buttoned brown shirt. Merle's eyes slithered down to her 36 DDs tucked inside of her cobalt blue v-neck tee and black cami. His beady eyes fixed themselves on her chest, and he wasn't trying to hide it.
"Stop it, asshole," Daryl growled as he threw his fork at his brother. His gravelly voice was quiet but stern and sent chills all over her. "Leave the girl alone."
Merle threw his hands in the air. "Alright, alright, baby brother. I'll be good," Merle smirked and rolled his eyes.
"Coffee, biscuits and gravy, and bacon, please ma'am," Daryl muttered with his head down so he wouldn't unconsciously focus on her curvy form like his brother so blatantly did. He wasn't the type to objectify women like that, just one of the many ways he and his brother differed. Merle started to open his mouth but he was quickly cut off. "Same for him," Daryl said as he nodded in Merle's direction.
"Alright, sweetheart. I'll get that right out to y'all." Elliot took a few steps towards the kitchen before she turned back around to catch both Dixons staring at her big round ass in her snug skinny jeans. Daryl quickly looked away. Merle, of course, kept on gawking. "Daryl," she said in a tone so sweet yet sultry, asking for his attention.
The sound of her voice saying his name made Daryl's cock twitch in his jeans and the hair on his arms stand up. He turned his head slightly and met her bright green eyes with his piercing blue ones.
"Elliot's fine. You don't hafta call me ma'am," she told him with a slight smile, never taking her eyes off of his. Daryl gave her a nod, and Elliot sauntered back in the direction of the kitchen swinging her hips just a little bit extra for those hypnotizing blue eyes that she could feel surveying her every move.
"If ya don't get ahold a that sweet ass, little brother, I'm gonna, " Merle said with a devious shit eating grin as the two of them watched Elliot walk away. "Bet she's a freaky fuck. Probably too much for ya to handle anyway. Ya wouldn't know tha first thang t'do. Best let ol' Merle get this 'en."
Daryl shook his head and chewed on his bottom lip. "A girl like that won't want nothin' t'do with you neither," he said as he gazed at Elliot's perfect curves and watched her moving so gracefully on her tiny feet. "She won't give either of us a second thought when we leave this joint." Daryl hoped that wasn't the case. He had been trying to work up the nerve to as her out since the moment he saw her.
Elliot reached the kitchen and gave the Dixons' order to Josie. "Girl, you're grinnin' like an ol possum. What happened out there?" She asked her niece with a wide smile, even though she already knew the answer.
Elliot felt her face becoming flushed again, and she felt almost light-headed. "It's that Daryl Dixon out there, Josie. He's not even my type at all, but he's got me all torn up," she said as she chuckled a little at herself.
"I gotta say, I sure do like seein' ya this way. It's been awhile since I've seen that smile. Too long, actually," Josie said to her smitten niece.
Elliot smiled and looked down at her feet, her toes pointed inward in her signature awkward stance.
"Better take them boys their coffee, " Josie told her as she motioned towards the pot of fresh coffee at the drink station.
Elliot grabbed two white mugs and the glass coffee pot. She stuffed some individual servings of cream and sugar in her apron pocket before venturing back to table 3. Elliot felt uncharacteristically confident as she approached the table. She wanted Daryl, and after she saw him staring at her ass, she had the impression that he wanted her too even though he was much more shy about his feelings than his brother. Daryl rolled up the long sleeves of his flannel shirt to his elbows, showing off his muscular forearms as he saw Elliot zeroing in on him. She sat the mugs on the table and filled them with the steaming hot coffee. She fetched the cream and sugar from her black apron tied around her trim waist. She made sure Daryl noticed the way she subtly rocked her wide-set hips as she reached across the table to place the individual servings in between the two of them.
"There ya go, boys. Josie will be out in just a minute with your breakfast. Holler at me if ya need anything else, " Elliot said flirtatiously as she bit her lip and gently placed her hand on Daryl's sculpted forearm. She needed to know what his rough, sun stained skin felt like.
"Thank ya," Daryl drawled and looked almost innocently from her soft hand on his arm to her sensual natural pouty mouth. He wanted to pounce on her right then and there but instead, he did something very typical of himself. He pulled his arm away and got back to his coffee.
"Anything," Merle sneered. "Don't go teasin' me now, girl." He turned his hips in her direction with his legs open and sat back in his chair as a sort of invitation. Elliot rolled her eyes and at a loss for words, turned back towards the kitchen. She had never had a man come on to her that strong before, and she didn't quite know how to handle it.
Between Merle's unsettling advances and Daryl's mixed signals, she needed a few minutes to clear her head. She caught her aunt's eye and motioned toward the back door. "I'm gonna step out for a sec, Josie," Elliot spoke loud enough for Daryl to hear and hopefully follow her.
She snagged her bag off of the hook hanging beside the door, but before going out, she turned around to see if Daryl was following her. He wasn't, but he was no longer in his seat either. She pushed the door open and squinted at the sunlight as she stepped outside.
Just as she lit her cigarette, Daryl Dixon rounded the corner blowing smoke of his own. His strut made her weak in the knees. It was determined and powerful, sexy and purposeful. This time, it was her doing the gawking. Her cheeks became rosy red as she allowed his bewitching eyes to put her in a trance. She admired his messy light brown hair and defined cheekbones adorned with scruff. His chiseled collarbones were peeking out through his flannel shirt which he had unbuttoned slightly before coming outside to meet her. Her gaze moved on to his broad shoulders down to his exposed veiny forearms and big calloused hands. As her vision traveled to below his belt, she bit her bottom lip at his half-hard cock nestled in his dirty jeans. Her hands trembled as he came closer, and she could see just how intensely he was eye fucking her.
He reached her side and planted himself next to her on the back wall of The Diner. She could tell he was nervous because he kept alternating between gnawing on his lip and taking huge puffs of his cigarette.
"Hey, uh. Sorry about my brother back there," Daryl finally stammered out, his voice dry and gritty. He was so close, he could smell her. Her scent was something entirely unique to her, soft and sugary. He wanted to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Elliot looked up at him with her big round eyes and replied in a very small voice, "S'ok." She looked down at her feet and took another puff of her Marlboro. She was certain he could feel the heat radiating from her core. "Ya ever go to Shooter's?" She asked hopefully and tried not to stare as she eagerly waited for his reply.
He scratched his chin with the hand that was holding his cigarette and nodded."Yeah, ev'ry now and then. Only place in town that serves whiskey."
"I'm gonna start bartending there tonight. Helping my aunt out and all," Elliot said with fingers crossed he would pick up on her hint.
"Guess I'll hafta come by there and let ya make me a drink," Daryl winked as he flicked his cigarette and ventured back towards the front of The Diner.
"Elliot!" Josie yelled at her niece through the half-open back entrance. "C'mon back in, hun. I've already given the Dixons their food, but we just got a few more customers pull in."
Elliot took the last drag of her cigarette to stop her head from spinning and bring her back to reality.
As soon as she returned inside, she was bombarded with hungry regulars that arrived in droves. She constantly felt Daryl's intense blue eyes watching her as she scurried around serving up coffee to wake up the town.
In the midst of the insanity, Daryl and Merle slipped out without Elliot seeing them. She headed to table 3 to clear it for the couple waiting to be seated. Placed underneath the mug that Daryl was drinking from was a folded white paper napkin with her name scribbled on it. A sweet smile swept across her face as she opened it. Her eyes widened as she read, "Meet me at the lake at 4."