AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come on, then. I’m going to take you somewhere to get something to eat.”
Addie chuckled. “So we’re leaving the bistro in order to find food elsewhere?”
Caleb grinned. It made him even more gorgeous than he was on a regular basis. There was something so disarming about his smile. It really wasn’t fair. How was she even supposed to concentrate when he was smiling at her?
“Not just any food, Addie. This is top-of-the-line diner fare. I grew up on it.”
Caleb ushered her out of the establishment, then turned off the light and locked up behind him. He led her to his car in the parking lot. Like a gentleman, Caleb opened up the passenger side door and closed it after she was comfortably settled inside. With the windows rolled down, the summer air blew all around them. Five minutes later, Caleb turned in to a parking lot heavily crowded with cars. Although Addie hadn’t been here in ages, she recognized it instantly.
The Silver Spoon. The legendary diner owned by Caleb’s folks. The exterior of the diner was retro in design. Candy apple red and platinum. A neon sign sat on the roof, ensuring that anyone and everyone who passed by would be alerted to the diner’s presence.
A heavenly smell wafted in the air. Addie closed her eyes and inhaled.
“Smells good, doesn’t it?” Caleb asked as he took her by the elbow and ushered her toward the entrance.
“It smells divine,” she said, looking all around her as she stepped inside. The establishment was full of diners. There was barely an empty seat in the place.
“Caleb!” A pretty dark-haired waitress with Ellie etched on her nametag stepped toward them. “It’s great to see you.”
“You too, Ellie. This is Addie. We were hoping to get a booth if you’ve got one.”
Ellie winked at him. “For you, Caleb, anything. I’ll go clean one up for the two of you.” She jerked her chin in the direction of the counter where folks were seated side by side on stools eating their meals. “Your dad is over there. Penelope is in the kitchen.”
“Let’s go say hello,” Caleb said, taking Addie’s hand and leading her over.
Jude’s face lit up with joy the moment he spotted them. “Hey there. It’s great to see the two of you over here.” Jude came from behind the counter and he placed a kiss on Addie’s cheek, then gave his son a hearty hug. “Did Ellie find you a table yet?”
“She’s cleaning a booth right now,” Caleb said with a grin.
Jude let out a chuckle. He looked at Addie and wiggled his eyebrows. “My kids and booths. Ever since they were little they always insisted on booths. They said it made the eating experience all the better.”
Addie giggled. She could easily picture the eight Donahue children laughing and eating and slurping down shakes and French fries.
Suddenly, Ellie appeared. “Your table is ready. Follow me.”
Ellie led them to their table, which was a nice-sized booth with a jukebox right next to it. The pink leather seats were plush and comfortable. It brought back a world of memories for Addie. She’d sat at one of these very booths with Tabitha and her parents eating double cheeseburgers and chili fries. It had been back in the day when her family had been an intact unit. The Silver Spoon had been the perfect backdrop for their family outing.
Addie got a kick out of the Silver Spoon’s menu. It was making her mouth water. By the time Ellie came back to take their order Addie knew what she wanted to eat. Addie placed the menu down on the table. She looked across the table at Caleb. “Your folks have quite the menu. I think I’ll go old school and order the double cheeseburger, cheese fries and a chocolate cherry shake.”
“Good choice,” Ellie said with a grin.
“Ditto for me,” Caleb said, handing the menus back to Ellie before she walked off toward the kitchen. Caleb nodded at Addie. “I like your style.”
“It’s what my sister and I used to order when we were kids. We would always switch back and forth between chili fries and cheese fries. Sometimes we would order both and share.” For the first time in a long time, the memories didn’t sear her heart. Sharing them with Caleb felt good. It helped keep her sister’s memory alive.
“It’s funny,” Caleb said. “I wonder if we ever crossed paths as kids. Did you come here often?”
“Not really, but it was very special when we did come here. Those days were idyllic. My parents ending up getting a divorce which splintered our family. Shortly thereafter, Daddy’s businesses took off, so he became embroiled in his life as a businessman, which included a lot of travel. By the time Tabitha got sick, my family was on the verge of imploding. Losing her was the final straw. Some families come together after adversi
ty, but we just fell apart.”
Caleb leaned across the table and squeezed her hand. “It’s understandable. The loss of a family member is one of the most stressful events for human beings. I’m sure that becomes heightened when it’s a child.”
Addie nodded. “You’re pretty wise, Caleb Donahue.”
“Being part of a big family has made me a good listener. Growing up I was always the one who my siblings would turn to when they needed a listening ear.” He chuckled. “Not that I always imparted good advice, but I tried.”
“It sounds like nothing has changed over the years. You’ve been a great sounding board for Heath…and you always listen to me. It’s a huge part of who you are.”
