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“Thank you.”
And with that, Zeke turned and walked back the way he’d come.
Rhine watched him go and wondered if the carpenter planned to stay angry and distant forever. They’d hadn’t been close friends but they had come together as members of the Republican party on behalf of the race and gotten along reasonably well. Until Eddy.
Jim asked, “Think he’ll ever come around?”
Rhine shrugged. “I was wondering the same thing, but I’m not going to worry about it. Either he will or he won’t.” He surveyed the bricks. They were still stained but as not badly. “Let’s leave this for now and start again tomorrow. How about we walk over to Sylvie’s and see if there’s any of Eddy’s food left.”
Jim grinned. “Now that sounds like a good idea.”
When they arrived, the place was packed. Upon seeing them, Sylvie said, “I heard about the vandalism.”
Rhine said, “We got most of it cleaned up. Zeke’s going to replace the windows. We came to eat. Anything left?”
“For you two? Yes. Follow me.”
It was Rhine’s first time eating there and as Sylvie led them through the crowded room to their seats, he understood why she wanted to build a larger place. There wasn’t even room to turn around. Every inch of the room held someone eating.
Jim remarked, “You’d think she was giving away gold.”
At the sight of Rhine, many people stopped what they were doing. They, too, knew he’d never set foot in the place before—at least not as a customer—but knowing what they did about him now, they smiled and greeted him with friendly nods. Some even stood and shook his hand. For Rhine, the acceptance was the balm he needed to balance the last few trying days. Knowing he’d see Eddy made him feel even better.
The food was everything he’d been led to believe.
Jim said, “Damn this is good.”
A chuckling Rhine agreed but was too busy chewing to voice it. There was ham, scalloped potatoes, collards, and a corn bread so flavorful he swore he’d never eat anything but Eddy’s version ever again. He now knew why their customers were deserting them. His future wife could cook!
After their meal, Jim walked back to the saloon and Rhine stayed around to wait for Eddy to get done with her duties. He was seated on the back steps when she finally stepped out to join him. She sat close and he draped an arm around her waist.
“I heard about the paint,” she said.
He nodded. “It’s being taken care of. I loved the food. I understand why my customers are deserting us.”
She smiled. “Not going to apologize.”
“Don’t expect you to. I’m looking forward to my part of the profits once the new diner is built. How was your day?”
“Long, but Sundays always are. And my day was no way as challenging as yours must’ve been.”
He told her about hiring Zeke. “He’s still upset about us though.”
“As long as he fixes your windows, that’s all that matters.”
He agreed. He looked over at the woman who held his heart and still found it hard to believe his good fortune. “If we’re going to start a family, I should probably find us a house. Unless you want to raise our special child in my apartments above the saloon.”
She chuckled. “No.”
“I thought not. There are a few vacant places in town. Would you like to see them in the next few days?”
“I would.” She quieted a moment then said, “I feel like I’m in a dream, Rhine. I went from an impoverished scrubwoman, to head cook, to your intended in what feels like the blink of an eye.”
“You’ve had a difficult life, darlin’. It’s about time things began looking up.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you for loving me.”
He smiled in reply. “You’re most welcome. Give me a kiss.”
She didn’t have to be asked twice.
