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He broke the kiss with a pop on her rear. “Let’s get you some breakfast. Hazel’s sound good?”
Hazel’s was an Edwards’ institution. It had been in business for seventy-five years, each generation passing the restaurant to the next. It was named after the matriarch of the family who created the best French toast known to womankind. Hazel’s was to breakfast what The Round was to burgers.
“It’s early yet for a Saturday. We should be able to get in. Let’s go.”
It wasn’t far to the diner from the cottage. Heck, it wasn’t far from her cottage to anywhere in Edwards, the town was so small. Dog pulled up to the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. They dismounted and headed for the entrance.
The building looked straight out of the 1950s, and there was an old-fashioned bell hanging over the door that jingled when they entered. Lois, the current matriarch of the family, stood behind the counter. Lois amazed Charley. Though her hair was gray and her face lined, Lois radiated the energy of a thirty-year old, light blue polyester suit notwithstanding.
“Charley Abbott,” she squealed in a girlish way that belied her seventy-plus years. “Get over here and give me a hug.”
Charley had known Lois for as long as she could remember. Every time her family had come to Edwards, they would have breakfast at Hazel’s at least once. Daddy could make friends with anyone, and Momma wasn’t shy either.
Lois circled the counter as Charley rushed to her. Her arms folded around Charley, her belly soft with the extra weight she carried, and she squeezed Charley tight. “So good to see you.”
Charley hugged her. “You, too, Lois. It’s been too long.”
Lois stepped back and clasped Charley’s face in her hands. “I’ve been worried about you since…well, you know. You doin’ okay?”
Charley hadn’t come in while she’d been marinating in grief and McCallan’s. She hadn’t been able to handle the condolences. Today, she gave Lois a bright smile. “As well as can be expected, given the circumstances.”
Charley didn’t mention her recent hospitalization. She didn’t want toacknowledgeher recent hospitalization, much less worry an old friend.
Lois glanced over Charley’s shoulder. “Well, look who you have with you.”
Dog. Charley didn’t know how, but she’d forgotten him for a minute. Oops.
She took a step back. “Lois, I’d like you to meet—”
Lois reached for Dog. “Honey, no introduction’s necessary. Come ‘ere, handsome.”
She enfolded Dog in her customary ‘family only’ hug, which for Lois meant everyone she’d ever met. And Dog, stooped over to match her height, returned it with enthusiasm. “Mornin’, Lois.”
Charley figured it was no surprise Lois knew Dog. She knew everyone, and Dog had said he grew up here. It looked like Charley was the only one who’d been left out of knowing him.
Lois and Dog separated, and Lois’s face pulled a frown. “Now, just how do the two of you know each other? I’ve never seen you together before.”
Dog cut Charley a look, and she could tell he was letting her share what she wanted to share.
Charley rubbed her belly. “That’s a long story for another day, Lois. My stomach’s been growling for an hour, and I can’t wait to have some of your cooking.”
“Your usual?”
She always remembered. French toast made with chocolate chip brioche and topped with real whipped cream. No one would think they could get that at a small-town diner, but then, most diners weren’t like Hazel’s.
“Oh, yes, please, and a side of fruit and coffee.”
Hazel turned to Dog. “And for you?”
“The usual two-bit.”
Two-bit. That’s code for two of everything. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Two eggs, two slices of bacon and two of country ham, two sausage links, and two pancakes. And if that wasn’t enough food, they added grits for good measure. How he could eat like that and maintain his incredible body was beyond Charley.
“And your eggs?”
“Over medium. And cheese with the grits.”
“You got it.”
