“No.”
Grin widening, Ed turned to his brother. “Ted, she’s not like the others.”
“Already figured that out on my own.”
Glory waited for him to say that she was like family, but he didn’t, so she quickly reached around Kam and handed over her credit card to pay. That got the brothers going again, and had her quickly explaining. “This is payback.”
Laughing even more, they elbowed each other.
Kam glared at Glory. “You see what you caused?”
Trying and failing to subdue her smile, she shrugged. Perhaps she should divert their attention. “This place has a great atmosphere.”
Incredulity had Kam turning to face her. “You like nonstop ribbing and inappropriate chatter?”
“I like friendliness and a laidback attitude. The diner would be a great place to incorporate into Tanner’s efforts.”
All three men gave her blank stares, but it didn’t deter Glory. To the brothers, she asked, “Are you aware of Tanner’s community work?”
As he went back to cooking, Ed said, “Everyone knows.”
Ted added, “But it’s not only Tanner. Kam does his fair share of pitching in. Addie, too.”
“And soon my cousin will be helping out.” Glory wondered if there was a way she could also take part. Not that she knew much about it, and she wasn’t sure she could offer much, but she’d love to try.
Until recently, her job within the luxury travel agency, owned by Callie’s parents, had been to ferret out new locations for leisure activities at vacation destinations. For a while there, she’d been traveling nonstop, so there hadn’t been time for her to consider pitching in. She’d never really had time to enjoy any of the locations because she was too busy analyzing, making reports, and sharing her findings. Now, though, she realized her expertise might offer some value.
“This place—” she lifted a hand to indicate the entirety of the small diner “—along with the two of you, could teach a lot to a young person.”
From the grill, Ed said, “I’m not sharing my secret sauce recipe with no one.”
“Naturally, not. But look at the experience you have at timing things. You just cooked and chatted simultaneously, and I know nothing will be overdone. That’s not something just anyone could do.”
Giving it some quick thought, Ed nodded. “I can also tell you the most popular meals, and ways to cut corners without losing any flavor.”
“Brilliant,” Glory praised.
Eagerly watching her, Ted asked, “What about me? I manage this place.”
“You have a real knack for knowing your customers, for putting them at ease in a way that makes them feel like they’re dining with friends or family.”
A blush crawled up the big man’s neck, his jowls, and even over his ears. “That’s just me,” he blustered. “I’ve always been chatty. Kam will tell you so.”
But a new, more aware expression had dawned on Kam’s face. “She’s right. The two of you run a great business. Hell, you’ve been here for... what? Fifteen years?”
“Twenty-two.” Tucking his thumbs into his waistband, Ted rocked back on his heels. “I’d just turned twenty-nine and Ed was twenty-six when we inherited the place. It was nice then, but we had plans.”
Ed looked up with a smile. “Boy, did we. Spent two whole nights up thinking of things we’d keep the same and things we’d update.”
“Took a lot of elbow grease to get it exactly as we wanted it.”
“Didn’t have a lot of money to invest,” Ed added. “Had to do a lot of the work ourselves, but others in the neighborhood helped out.”
Full of pride, Ted put back his shoulders. “They wanted to keep it around, and God love ’em all, they cheered us on.”
“We’re part of the community.” Ed lifted his spatula in a salute, then slid two full plates onto the counter for the waitress to grab. “Been around too long to just let it disappear.”
“That’s my point.” Hoping they’d go along with the idea, Glory smiled at the men. “You two would make great mentors.”
