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Micah grinned. “Makes sense. My parents own the place.” He winked at her. “My whole family loves the food here.”
Faith’s jaw dropped. The Silver Spoon was owned by the Donahue family? The news felt a bit stunning considering the place had been a favorite of her own family since she was a little girl.
Micah chuckled. “I didn’t mean to shock you with the news. I’m surprised Shayla didn’t mention it.”
Faith swallowed past the lump in her throat. “This place is pretty special to me. My parents used to take me here when I was a kid.” She tried not to tear up. “I lost my parents when I was sixteen. They were killed in a fire.”
Micah shot her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry to hear that, Faith. It’s devastating to lose a parent, not to mention both of them.”
Faith nodded, silently agreeing with Micah. Losing both her parents in one fell swoop had been torture. She had been utterly lost without them. Suffering burns on twenty percent of her body and being in the burn unit for months had added to her torment.
Given what she’d been through, the Silver Spoon actually represented something beautiful—moments in time when her family had been together and happy. They were moments to cherish.
“Being here is strange, but not in a bad way. It makes me feel connected to my parents and I haven’t felt that way in a really long time,” she admitted. Saying those words out loud to Micah surprised her. She didn’t speak often of her parents or of the past. She’d learned not to talk about the tragic fire that had altered the course of her life. Most times it made people treat her differently, like an object of pity. Faith didn’t want that. She wanted to be regarded on her own terms. The fire had taken everything from her, but at some point she couldn’t let it continue to consume her.
“It makes me happy to hear that. I know it can’t be easy dealing with those memories.”
Faith felt a warm and fuzzy feeling spreading through her. Micah’s voice was full of understanding and compassion. He radiated sincerity.
“No, it isn’t easy at all,” Faith said. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Faith, these are my parents, Penelope and Jude Donahue. They’ve owned this diner for over thirty years. This is Faith O’Connell.”
Faith recognized the pair from the engagement party. Up close they were more adorable than she’d realized. Penelope looked a bit frazzled, but she reached out and gave Faith a warm hug. “I recognize you from the party the other night. I meant to compliment you on your lovely dress, but with so many people there I didn’t get a chance to talk to you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Donahue,” Faith answered, pleased at the compliment.
“Call me Penelope. Everyone does,” she said, grinning at Faith. “Forgive me, but we’ve got a situation in the kitchen I need to deal with before it blows up.” She winked at Faith. “Literally.”
Faith watched as Penelope raced toward the kitchen like a whirlwind.
“Nice to meet you, Faith,” Jude said, stepping forward and extending his hand. Faith shook it as a feeling of recognition washed over her. She had the feeling that she’d seen Jude in the past—this little niggling memory pricked at her. If she closed her eyes Faith could picture him standing behind the counter with a huge grin plastered on his face and asking her if she wanted a cherry on her sundae.
“My parents used to take me here when I was little,” Faith said, smiling at the memory. She jutted her chin in the direction of the jukebox. “I remember putting coins in there to play my mother’s favorite song. She used to get so tickled when it played over the jukebox.”
“Which song was it?” Micah asked.
A smile twitched at the corners of her lips. “A lovely day.”
A look of instant recognition passed over Micah’s face. “Aaah. The Bill Withers song. One of my favorites.”
“It’s become one of mine too. It reminds me of her.”
Jude frowned. “Faith. Your last name is O’Connell?”
“Yes, it is,” she answered.
“Were your parents Deb and Byron O’Connell?” Micah’s father asked, his expression radiating surprise.
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “Did you know them?”
Jude smiled. “Only as customers. They were regulars here. And so were you when you were a little girl. Your family used to come here at least once a week.” His eyes twinkled with merriment. “If I remember correctly, your dad was a huge fan of the chili cheese fries.”
“I remember,” she said, marveling at how circumstances had led her to the Silver Spoon diner today.
“Penelope and I were so saddened by what happened to them. At the time we prayed for your family and your recovery,” Jude said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. For a moment the resemblance betwee
n Jude and Micah was so striking it nearly knocked her off her feet.
