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“Cool,” Megan chirped. “Oh, and before I forget . . .” She reached into her purse and offered a key. “For you.”
Harper accepted the key and smiled. “Thank—”
“Would you stop thanking me?” Megan rolled her eyes. “Friends help friends. That’s what we do.”
Emma gave a firm nod.
Harper wanted to thank her for that comment too but let it go. She glanced ahead of her then looked from side to side. “All right, if I can’t thank you, then why doesn’t someone tell me why we’re here?”
Emma pointed forward. “Because of that.”
Harper stared at the restaurant again. “Are we going for lunch?”
“No, silly.” Emma slid her arm into Harper’s. “When Megan said you weren’t going to work at the Spurs anymore because you wanted to do the whole restaurant thing, I talked to Shep.”
“Okay,” Harper drawled, confused.
Emma drew in a deep breath and spoke fast. “Shep went to high school with this guy who’s a real estate agent now. So, I asked Shep to ask this guy if there were any restaurants on the market.”
Harper read between the lines, trying to spot a for sale sign in the window. “This place doesn’t look like it’s on the market.”
“Because it’s not really for sale.” Emma paused, shaking her head. “No, that came out wrong. It is for sale, but only to the right person. I guess the man who owns it—”
“Clayton?” Harper interjected with a smile.
Emma and Megan laughed.
“Wild guess.” Emma winked. “Anyways, Shep told me Clayton wants to retire, but he wants to sell the place to someone local.”
“I guess that’s where I come in?” Harper offered.
Emma gave a crisp nod. “I know this is all really pushy of me, and maybe not what you want, but I—”
Harper placed a hand on Emma’s arm, stopping that line of thought in its tracks. “This was really sweet of you. There’s nothing wrong with us taking a look.”
Emma glanced up through her lashes, eyes twinkling. “That’s what I thought too.”
Harper studied the restaurant. Two large windows hugged the front door with a brass door handle that looked to be original. The awning above the door was white and worn and in desperate need of a makeover. From what Harper could see on the inside, and by the name, it was your standard mom-and-pop diner.
“The best part of all,” said Megan, “you’re only two blocks from the Spurs.”
“That is a big selling point.” Harper smiled.
“Sooooo,” Emma drawled. “Wanna go in and see it? The realtor said
we could drop by anytime.”
Harper regarded Emma’s excited eyes, then took in Megan’s big smile. “Sure, why not.”
Emma all but bounced to her feet then opened the front door, a bell announcing their arrival. Harper inhaled the aroma of greasy bacon and eggs. While she always loved a gourmet meal, the world needed places like this too. The booths were full of customers as they passed by, not a single seat available until they got to the last booth.
Megan slid in and Emma took Harper’s hand, leading her toward the man standing behind the cash register. He had the type of face that welcomed you in. With his round blue eyes and soft smile, she thought he looked oddly familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.
“Hi,” said Emma. “Are you Clayton?”
“I am,” he said. “I take it you’re Harper?”
Harper raised her hand. “That’d be me.” She offered her hand. “Harper McKinney.”
