“No. I’ve got it. Did you have a good run?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful here.”
“Mmm. The natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is always changing.” Lilene paused in front of the warehouse, a serene smile on her face as she glanced over her shoulder toward the mountains. “It’s like redecorating your house just by leaving the curtains open. You really have to experience Fraser Hills to appreciate it. I know we don’t have all the fancy stuff you’re probably used to, but it’s full of good people with a real sense of community. It works.”
“That’s good.” Vanessa jogged ahead and opened the door for Lilene, then raced up the stairs ahead of her. “Come on in. I’m going to grab a quick shower and get dressed.”
“Sure. You go ahead and I’ll get some fresh coffee going for you. We can eat and then head to the office together.”
When Vanessa came back out after her shower, Lilene had two places set at the tiny dining table.
“This is above and beyond,” she said to Lilene as she sat down across from her. As Vanessa picked up her fork, Lilene cleared her throat and bowed her head.
Vanessa followed suit.
Lilene said a quick prayer for the meal, and an extra one for their work together through the assessment of Porter’s.
Vanessa managed an “amen” as she swallowed hard. The knot in her throat made it almost impossible to swallow the forkful of the egg casserole she’d just put in her mouth. But she did and the flavor was rich, savory with the perfect amount of spice. “Mm. This is so good.”
“It’s a leaner version of the Southern breakfast casserole. When my Norman had his little cholesterol scare a couple of years ago, I started cutting him back. He never even knew. Well, he knows now because when he goes turkey hunting, I make him make the sausage for us. Nothing better than fresh turkey sausage.”
“This is turkey?”
“Sure is.”
It was delicious, but somehow the thought of a huge feathered turkey hanging by his feet over some big guy’s shoulder as he trekked through the woods was a little harder to swallow than that of pre-formed sausage patties in the grocery case.
Lilene’s face squinched. “Too much information for you?”
Vanessa swallowed. “Yeah. A little.” She slugged back some coffee, and tried to wash away that image so she could finish.
“Just rewind that. Pretend I never said anything. Oh goodness, I do sometimes ramble on.”
“Thank you for breakfast,” Vanessa said. “It was a nice surprise. And delicious.”
“Well, it was kind of two birds with one stone really. One, I wasn’t sure when you’d need a ride and wanted to show you that I’d be here for you. Two, I figured if I proved I was a good cook you’d come to Thanksgiving dinner.” She raised her hand. “I know. Norm said, ‘Lilene, don’t be pushy.’ But I have to tell you it just really bothers me to think of anyonenot getting a dose of family on Thanksgiving.” She patted her chest. “I really hope you’ll come.”
“Don’t count on it. I have a lot to do, and who knows, I may even ride down to Georgia to visit my cousin for the holiday. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“The invitation stands.” Lilene’s shoulders drooped as she headed for the door. “I put the rest of the casserole in the refrigerator. It’ll be just as tasty when you heat it up later.”
Vanessa followed Lilene out to the car, reminding herself to not become emotionally invested in these people. She was here to do a job. There was no time for anything else.
It was a short drive to Main Street, and it was already buzzing with traffic and people opening their stores. Lilene turned onto Porter House Road and went around to park in the lot behind Porter’s.
“This is where all the employees park.” She took her key out of the ignition.
Vanessa followed her to the back entrance. The brick steps were steep; it was a wonder someone hadn’t complained. Vanessa grabbed the handrail, steadying herself as they went inside.
“This is where the factory team punches in and out every day. None of us are supposed to use the front door. It’s strictly enforced. I mean, you didn’t know, but from now on you probably should come through here. It keeps the store from getting unnecessary traffic.” Lilene blushed. “I’m sorry. You can, of course, do whatever you like.”
“So, the factory workers clock in over here and then go back across the street to the factory?”
“No. There’s nothing in that building.”
“The plans showed the factory across the street in the other building.”
“Not anymore. The factory is down that hall now.”
