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Stunned by the realization, she flipped open the menu. “What’s the special? Roast beef?”
Kylie grinned. “Smells good, doesn’t it? Roast beef with red potatoes and green beans loaded with bacon bits.”
Brooke’s eyes rolled to the back of her head in mock ecstasy. “Perfect. After that, I’ll have an excuse to run five miles in the rain.”
“When did you ever need an excuse?” Kylie propped her elbows on the counter and leaned forward. “I heard you’re starting a youth program for the community.”
Brooke’s pulse jumped. “Where did you hear that?”
Kylie lifted a shoulder. “Here and there. You know how Clayton is. If you think too hard, we’ll hear you in the café. So, are you or not? It’s a great idea. The school would probably let you use the gym. You could have a summer league for basketball and baseball or maybe you could organize hiking and rock climbing groups.” She took a breath. “How about tennis? And in the winter, you could teach kids to ski and snowboard.”
“Whoa, Kylie.” Brooke held up a hand. “I told Reverend West I’d give the idea some thought. That’s all.”
“Oh.” Kylie wilted. “Too bad. Everyone has been so excited about it.”
“There’s that much talk already?”
“What else are we going to talk about in Clayton? Well, except the mine. Vincent said there have been some problems and they may have to shut down.”
Trying not to react to the mention of her troublesome cousin, Brooke said, “Shut down? That’s the first I’ve heard of anything that serious.”
“Well, you should know, being close to Gabe Wesson.” She gave Brooke’s shoulder a little push. “He’s a babe, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, I guess he is.” There was no guessing to it. He was a babe, as Kylie put it, and she missed him. She was pathetic. Gabe left town for one day and she couldn’t stop watching the road for his Hummer. “So, what about you and Vincent? I hear there’s a wedding on the horizon?”
She hated to bring up the subject of Vincent, but she and Kylie had once been friends. Only a year apart in age, they’d played ball together, shared secrets, braided each other’s hair and mooned over the same rock singers. Sad how time and distance could separate people. Sadder still to see a nice girl like Kylie end up with Vincent. She prayed he was different with his fiancée than with the rest of the female population, but she doubted he was. Vincent’s pretty-boy looks and smarmy charm fooled people outside the family.
“Order up, Kylie,” a voice called.
“Be right back.” She zipped away.
During her absence, Brooke fed the old-fashioned jukebox and chatted with Deanna Stutz, proprietor of the town’s one and only beauty parlor, Hair Today.
“How’s your manicure holding up?” Deanna reached for Brooke’s hand.
“Pretty well, considering the abuse it takes. That was such a great day.” The afternoon she, Jasmine and Arabella had spent in Deanna’s shop had created a fast bond among the three women. Brooke wasn’t sure if they’d made any inroads on Jasmine’s relationship with Cade Clayton, but she’d opened up a dialogue with the younger woman. The result was a budding friendship she enjoyed.
“Your finger’s looking better.” Deanna pressed the slightly crooked, now unsplinted, knuckle on Brooke’s pinky finger.
“Doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”
“Good. You girls come back soon. We’ve got some new colors for summer that would look terrific with sandals. Manicure, pedicure, facial, the works.” Deanna winked. “For all three of you, I’ll make a package deal.”
“Sounds great, Deanna.” As soon as she saved up enough money again. “There’s my lunch. Talk to you later.”
She returned to her seat just as Kylie deposited the steaming plate. She groaned appreciatively. “The cook is a genius.”
“Can’t argue that.” Kylie tilted her chin toward the order window. The large, ruddy face of Gerald Hicks grinned out at Brooke. She wiggled her fingers in greeting and gave a thumbs up.
