Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 30

Nobody ever told me there was another way. Everyone just said to grin and bear it. Even when I called the cops, it was like going through the motions. He wasn’t even detained, just got a verbal warning.

But then there was Officer Cooper. The new guy wouldn’t give up. He came back, over and over, never tiring of trying to help.

I found myself staring at the oil in the pan, watching it bubble, my grip tightening around the spice jar. By the time I snapped back to reality, half a bag of dried chili peppers had landed in the pan. The heat brought out the peppers' aroma until it was so strong, it made my eyes water.

They burst into the kitchen, thinking the place was on fire. The three of us nearly choked from the spicy fumes.

Officer Cooper shouted, “Whoa, girl, you sure didn’t hold back! Feels like my eyes are burning out of my head!”

Jonah handed me a wet towel for my eyes while giving him a playful shove. “Open a window, man! This is all your fault for wanting it spicy!”

After that day, Officer Cooper often dropped by in the evenings to chat with Jonah. Most of the time, it was Cooper doing the talking and Jonah listening. Still, you could tell they were pretty tight.

My dad’s words had really hurt Aunt Marie. Every day, she’d sit there, lost in thought, staring out at the oak tree. I knew she couldn’t take any more stress. Jonah already had his hands full supporting me. His tattoo shop was the family’s bread and butter, and he couldn’t afford constant disruptions.