“Thank you, dear,” she said in her usual sweet tone. “This will do it for now. When Alan arrives, we’ll share dessert.”
“Alan is coming? Do you want me to have Mason prepare a daily special for him, too?”
Audrey glanced out the window, and I could tell she was nervous. “I just don’t know. He’s late, but he’s not answering his phone.”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” I said to soothe her. “Maybe he’s driving and can’t answer his phone.”
“You’re probably right, dear,” she said, biting her lower lip. “It always makes me nervous when he goes off by himself. His lungs are so much better than they were, but I still worry.”
Alan Violet had been in an industrial work accident years ago that burned his lungs. It was touch-and-go in the beginning, but now, twelve years later, he uses only a small portable oxygen tank and can participate in life again, including driving.
“That’s natural, Audrey,” I said, as though I knew anything about being married. “What is he off doing tonight?” With my hip braced against the booth, I waited for her to answer as though I had nothing else to do. We were between rushes, so it was easy to spare some time for one of my favorite people.
“Oh, well,” she said, sitting up straighter and leaning over the table. “He’s with our grandsons. They’re having some bonding time at the archery range.”
“Well, see, he’s not alone, and I’m sure the boys would call you if there was a problem.”
“True,” she said, nodding. “I didn’t think of that. I wonder why they didn’t pick up his phone if he was driving. Maybe there’s been an accident.”
Audrey was a bit of a natural worrywart, so rather than allow her to spiral, I jumped back in. “Archery? You don’t say. That’s not a sport you often hear kids doing anymore.”
“So true,” she agreed with a nod, her snow-white hair not moving an inch. “But my son-in-law loves to hunt, so he raised the boys to do the same. Now, they also participate in an archery league. Alan is going to be one of the judges this year.”
“Well, that’s exciting,” I said, pushing myself off the table to stand. “It’s so nice to hear he can do these things again.”
The bell tinkled over the door, and I automatically turned to see who it was. “Speak of the devil,” I said as her husband approached the table with two teen boys in tow.
Alan kissed Audrey’s cheek while the boys slid into the booth across from her. “Sorry we’re late, Grandma,” one of them said. “We know how you worry about Grandpa, but he was fine. The practice just ran long.”
Alan sat next to Audrey and put his arm around her before she began to speak. “I was a little worried, but Jaelyn kept me company.”
“I was just telling Audrey that I know how much you like the Spanish rice tacos,” I added. “Should I have Mason put together a few more of the daily specials?”
All three Violet boys raised their hands, making Audrey giggle.
“You got it. Hard or soft shell?”
“Soft,” they all said in unison, and I chuckled.
“Soft it is. I’ll bring a round of drinks as well. We’ll have it up in just a few.”
I jogged back to the window, ready to give Mason the order orally until I could put it into the computer, but he was already plating it. “I read your mind,” he said.
“More like you eavesdropped on my conversation.”
“It does get rather boring back here when the diner empties out.”
I snorted because that was the last thing this place ever was. If we weren’t slammed with customers, we were busy reloading our supplies from being slammed with customers. The bell tinkled over the door again, and I turned my head to see a man in a three-piece suit carrying a briefcase walk through the door. I recognized the man and the suit.
“I’ll get him seated and be back for these,” I said to Mason, who waved me off.
After grabbing a menu, I walked toward him. “Welcome to the Nightingale Diner. I’m Jaelyn. Are you eating in or taking out?”
Was I acting as though I didn’t recognize him? Absolutely, because I still remember the total blunder I’d made at the food truck last month. He’d been more than gracious, but I was still embarrassed.
“Hello again,” he said, glancing around the nearly empty diner. “I'll eat in as your food came highly recommended.” He winked, and it shot heat to the part of me that I had long ignored and would continue to ignore, no matter how many times this sexy, suited man winked at me.
After motioning him toward a booth, I slid the menu onto the table. “Welcome back to Bells Pass. It’s a surprise to see you again. Did you make a special trip for the tacos?”
