Judging by the placement of the sun, it was starting to get dark. Most towns closed up shop at dusk, and he guessed the grocers would as well. More than likely she was already off work and had gone home.

            Home.

            She was his home. His arms ached for the feel of her. His heart ached even more for the sound of her voice saying his name. Saying she loved him.

            The smell of something cooking wafted through the air. His stomach rumbled, letting him know it had been a while since he’d last eaten anything substantial. That apple earlier only temporarily assuaged his hunger, but now he was famished. Reaching inside his pocket, he extracted the roll of bills. He had just two gold coins left that he could convert into local tinder. It was imperative he be as frugal as possible. But if need be, he wasn’t adverse to breaking into the bank where he’d traded the gold coin and reclaiming it, along with a few others if there were any available, before taking the next jump.

            Cayn chuckled. That always pissed off Juda whenever he did that, but she understood why. They couldn’t take the current local monies with them into the next era, but gold was always valuable. Besides, he often left behind whatever paper and coin currency he had left on him whenever he did that. It wouldn’t cover the value of what he took, but it was enough to placate her, even though she also knew why he made the exchange.

            He eyed the diner across the street. If Juda was still there, she’d be apprehensive if he showed up. Yet somehow he knew she’d already left. Confident, he crossed the street and entered the establishment.

            It was warm and fragrant. Idyllic. A woman behind the counter yelled out to him, “Have a seat. Someone’ll be with you shortly!”

            He took the nearest empty booth, sitting on the side where he could keep an eye on the front door. The window to his right gave him a clear view of Main Street. Oddly enough, this place, this town, gave him a sense of comfort and belonging he hadn’t felt in…
              
Ages.

            A middle-aged woman with a nametag that read CORA hustled up to his table. She held what looked like a pot of coffee in one hand. “Care for a cup?”

            Cayn held a hand over the upside-down mug sitting in front of him. “No, thank you. If I did, I would not be able to get any decent sleep.”

            Cora chuckled. “You and me both, sugar. What’ll you have?”

            “Ummm.” Spotting the menu lying sideways behind the sugar container, he pulled it out and opened it. “What would you suggest?”

            “Got some hot chicken noodle soup. Finest in the county, I guarantee. Comes with a slice of homemade bread, unless you prefer some saltines with it.”

            The term “saltines” threw him. At times like this, it was always a safe bet to go with what he knew. “Sounds good. I’ll take a bowl with the bread, if you please.”

            “Sure thing. What’ll ya have to drink?”

            “Water, if I may.”

She eyed him as she jotted down his order on the pad she held in her hand. “Say, you’re not from around here, are ya?”
           
Again, it was always better to admit to the obvious. “No. I am passing through.”
             Cora flashed him a smile. “Well, welcome to Tuckerville. Plan to stay a while?”

            “Not long. Say, would you happen to know of an inn where I can bed for the night?”

            The woman cocked her head. “An inn? How long you planning to stay? The Happy Trails Motel might have a room available. They charge by the day and by the week, and they’re very reasonable. Want me to call ‘em and ask?”

            “I would appreciate it. Thank you.”

            “No problem. One bowl of soup comin’ right up!”

            He continued staring out the window. If Goen managed to find them again, he hoped he’d spot the man before the guy was aware of it.

            In the meantime, there was the matter of Juda. How was he—

            “Here you go! Careful. It’s hot,” Cora warned as she set down the small plate with the bowl of soup on it. A slab of bread was propped next to it. He watched as she pulled a few cold pats of butter from her apron pocket and dumped them on the table. “I’ll go fetch your water. Be right back.”

            Stirring the soup, he lifted a spoonful to his lips and blew on it before giving it a tentative taste. It was as good as the woman promised.

            A glass of water almost magically appeared in front of him. Giving the woman a grateful smile, he thanked her as she tore off his ticket and placed it beside his hand.

            “Oh, there is one thing,” he commented, getting her attention. “I’m looking for a close friend of mine. Her name is Juda Plesh.”

            One eyebrow went up. “You know Juda?”

            He recognized that tone. She was being cautious. Protective.

            “Yes, although I haven’t seen her in a while.” He wasn’t lying. By his estimate, it had been at least fifteen or so years. Cayn also knew that if he outright asked for her location or address, it might cause the woman to shut down on him, and he couldn’t afford that happening. “If you see her, will you tell her Cayn Stiner is in town? For a short while?”

            “Cayn Stiner? Yeah, I know her. In fact, you just missed her. She was in here earlier.” The woman snapped her fingers. “You know, you sound just like her. Same accent and everything. Are you two from the same country?”

             Smiling, he nodded. “Yes. You could say we were childhood sweethearts.”

            “Well, I don’t know where she lives,” Cora admitted, and he instantly recognized the lie. “But if you come back here tomorrow morning between seven and seven-thirty, she usually comes around that time for breakfast. We got the best damn flapjacks in the county, I guarantee.”

            I bet you do, he mentally responded. “Thank you. I appreciate the help.”

            “Tell you what. I’ll go make that phone call right now and see if the motel’s got a spare room. Won’t take me long. Enjoy your meal!”

            As she made the call, he dove into the bowl of soup, all the while keeping an eye open to the early evening traffic outside. He’d made progress. He prayed it would continue.