Cooter’s Grill was exactly the kind of place that made Bear Valley feel like home. Nestled on the corner of Main Street, the family-owned diner had been a town staple for as long as Heather could remember. The wooden sign over the door had been repainted more times than she could count, but the dim lighting, checkered tablecloths, and scent of mesquite-smoked brisket were as familiar as an old pair of boots.
The moment they stepped inside, the hum of conversation, the clatter of silverware, and the rich twang of a country song being warmed up by the band set the tone for the evening. The place was packed, locals filling every booth and table, a few kids darting between the aisles with the kind of freedom only small-town life allowed.
Charlotte’s hand slid from Lyle’s and wrapped around Heather’s fingers instead. “Miss Heather, look! Emma and Ruby are here!” Her little face beamed up at Heather as she spotted two girls her age near the back.
Heather barely had time to react before Charlotte tugged free and took off.
“She’s making friends,” Heather mused, watching as Charlotte plopped into the tiny circle of girls who were braiding each other’s hair and giggling about something only six-year-olds understood.
Lyle chuckled, shaking his head as they made their way toward an open booth. “I'm pretty sure those are some of the kids from her Sunday School class at church. I confess that none of us have had the emotional fortitude to return to church just yet. Being there without Dad at the pulpit is almost more than I want to face. But I see now that I'm not being fair to Charlotte. Jeff and Sherry were just as involved in the church as Dad and Mom. It was Charlotte's life, and I'm realizing I've been keeping her from it."
"Baby steps, Lyle."
"Yeah." He watched his Goddaughter across the room. "She’s happier than I’ve seen her in weeks.” His voice dropped just enough for Heather to hear the gratitude behind the words. “I think you’ve got more to do with that than you realize.”
Heather ducked her head, because what was she supposed to say to that? That being around him and Charlotte made parts of her heart wake up that she’d long thought were dead? That as dangerous as this was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to turn back?
Instead, she slid into the booth just as Cooter came striding up, a notepad in hand and a giant grin on his face. “Well, if it isn’t Bear Valley’s most interesting new situation.”
Heather groaned, shooting a glare at Lyle. “You see? This is exactly what I warned you about.”
But Lyle just grinned. “Cooter’s harmless.”
“That’s a matter of debate,” she muttered.
Cooter chuckled, flipping to a clean page in his notepad. “Alright, kids. What’ll it be?”
“Brisket sandwich, extra sauce,” Lyle said.
“Miss Heather?”
She opened her mouth, but Lyle answered for her. “She’ll have the same.”
Heather shot him an amused look. “And since when do you order for me?”
“Since it’s brisket night and there is no wrong answer.”
She huffed a laugh, shaking her head. Cooter scribbled quickly, then leaned his palms on the tabletop and smirked. “And what about little Charlotte?”
“She’s with Emma and Ruby,” Heather said, nodding toward the group of girls now entranced by a stuffed bear one of them had brought.
“I’ll send over a basket of fries to their table,” Cooter said, tucking his notepad away. “You kids enjoy your date.”
“We’re not on a date!”
He gave her a knowing look as he walked away.
She groaned again. “I should’ve made you sign a contract before agreeing to this.”
Lyle leaned back with a lazy smirk. “And miss the fun? Not a chance.”
She kept an eye on Charlotte. The other little girls' parents didn't seem to mind an extra at their table. "Does Charlotte have Grandparents?"
"Just Jeff's mom. She lives over in Johnson County. Jeff was her only son, so the accident was really rough on her."
She wasn't sure how to ask this delicately. "She didn't want to take Charlotte?"
"Oh, I'm sure she would have. She loves Charlotte. But she's in her late seventies and not in the best of health."
