“I’m Nora Everhart,” Nora says and offers my grandma her hand.
“Of course you are,” Grandma Dot says, ignoring the handshake and hugging her to her. “You’re a spittin’ image of the old coot. In fact, I remember you when you were no taller than my kneecaps. Always had an eager look in your eyes like you were waiting for something good to come your way. Looks like you haven’t lost your spark, kiddo.”
Grandma Dot hollers for one of the other waitresses to come over. “Bernie, I’m on break. Can you take this table?”
Bernie arches a brow. “You want me to take your order or something?”
“No, I want you to load it up in your minivan and take it home,” Grandma Dot deadpans. “Of course I want you to take our order. Elias will want an iced tea. Three lemons. Don’t make it sweet or he’ll have a tantrum.”
Nora sniggers and I groan, rolling my eyes.
“I’ll have a lemonade and Miss Nora will have?—”
“A Goldie Special,” I blurt out.
When Bernie stares at me in confusion, Grandma Dot sighs.
“Sweet tea, three lemons,” Grandma Dot clarifies. “Tell Keith to bring us some jalapeño cornbread for an appetizer. Thanks, sugar. Hurry along now.”
Bernie, who’s no older that Nora, grimaces at being bossed around by Grandma Dot, but in the end, she obeys. Everyone obeys Grandma Dot. She’s kind of scary if you don’t.
I probably should be annoyed my grandma crashed my date, but since it has Nora smiling, I don’t mind. But if she tries to get me to bus her tables after we eat, I’m drawing the line.
“When I first met your grandma,” Grandma Dot says, side-eyeing Nora, “she smuggled in a budgie. Freshly rescued from that piece of sh?—”
“Shiitake mushrooms,” I finish for her, my voice louder. “Grandma, this is a family establishment.”
She cackles. “Such a good boy.” Then, she grows serious. “Wayne Harker was selling the pitiful little thing. Ticked your grandma off something fierce. Good ol’ Amos was always by her side, rescuing those creatures right along with her.”
When Nora tells Grandma Dot that Amos has been found, she doesn’t act surprised. And it’s not because my family already spilled the beans.
“Figured he’d pop back up,” Grandma Dot says with a shrug. “She always claimed he promised he’d come back. Goldie believed it and would give the evil eye to anyone who suggested otherwise.”
Lunch is entertaining. With my grandma, it always is. She only griped at Bernie three times. I guess she’s getting soft in her old age. After our bellies are full and we’ve hugged the crazy old lady I love, we step back outside.
The scent of seawater and ozone wafts its way toward us. Dark skies chase away the sun as a storm rolls in. In the distance, the lighthouse flashes more prominently the usual during the day. As we head for the truck, thunder booms loud enough to rattle your teeth and is followed by a crackle of lightning that illuminates the entire sky. Then, without any more warning, the clouds release the rain.
Nora screams and I grunt, both of us running toward the truck. But, when I stop, she keeps going.
“Nora!” I call out after her.
She laughs over her shoulder as the rain soaks her to the bone and splashes her way down Wing Whirr Way. I’m not fast by any means, but there’s a pep in my step to catch up with her. Not sure what’s going on in her head but sticking around while there’s lightning doesn’t seem too smart.
I reach her side, grab her hand, and continue to run with her. She points at The Icehouse. Eager to get out of the soaking rain, I bolt alongside her. We burst into The Icehouse, earning more than a few curious stares. Silas’s eyes widen at the water mess we’re leaving on his wood floors.
“I’ll clean it up later,” Nora shouts to him. “I have to do something!”
Silas shrugs and shakes his head. I chuckle as she tugs me through the bar to the stairs that lead to Goldie’s spot. When we reach the landing, she breaks free to run over to the bell on the wall. Then, she clangs it over and over, proclaiming Amos is coming home.
A few people come upstairs, including Silas, Reverie, and Monroe, to see what all the commotion is about. When she’spanting heavily from exertion and quits ringing the bell, a full-bodied shiver runs its way through her. I take hold of her chilled hands and pull her to me. Then, I grab her wet cheeks and bring my nose to hers.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Monroe grumbles, taking his family with him.
Rather than kiss her like I want to, I drink up the happiness shining in Nora’s pretty blue eyes. Her smile is infectious and I smile too. I like that she looks at me like I’m somehow contributing to her good mood. My thumb drags over her slick cheek, and I inhale her lemony scent.
My lips press to hers and she sighs as if she’s been waiting all day for this moment. I know I certainly have. This kiss is gentle and reverent at first, but when she twists her fists into my drenched T-shirt and pulls me closer, a possessive growl rattles from me. I kiss her deeply, hoping to somehow put my mark on her that’ll have her wanting to stay here forever.
I’m not sure how long I kiss her for, but another clap of thunder has us pulling apart. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes hooded. With her blond hair matted to her head, she’s somehow more adorable than ever.
