The Strawberry Hearts Diner(39)

“We’ve done a couple of tests,” the nurse began. “She’s on a heart monitor. We were able to get things going really fast, but most likely she will have a pacemaker put in toward the end of the week.”

“I’ll be home and in my diner kitchen tomorrow morning,” Nettie declared.

“Put something in that IV to knock her out,” Vicky said.

“You do and I’ll jerk it out,” Nettie said.

“Doctor has to order that kind of thing. Are you her granddaughter?” the nurse asked.

She read his name tag. “No, Eric. More like her daughter, but I will be sitting right there in that chair all night. She will behave.”

“Says who?” Nettie growled.

Vicky plopped down in the chair. “I didn’t even bring my phone. The girls will be worried sick.”

“Here.” Andy handed her his. “Use mine and let them talk to her.”

“First tell me what the doctor said, Nettie.”

“That I’ve had a mild heart attack and that a pacemaker is what I probably need, but they want to monitor me for two days and then put it in probably on Friday and I can go home on Saturday evening if all goes as planned.”

“The forty hours after a heart attack is a critical period,” Andy said. “That’s why you have to stay. My dad was in here for the same thing about two years ago. They know what they’re doing.”

She shot him a go-to-hell look. “Do you know how much it costs for me to lie in this bed and how much I’m needed at the diner?”

“Not a dime,” Vicky answered. “You’ve got good insurance and you’ve met your deductibles already this year. We can manage the diner until you get out of here.”

“When was the last time you missed a day of work?” Andy pulled up the second chair and sat down.

“I only miss for funerals and for my twice-a-year doctor visits,” she answered.

“I’m not ready to miss work for your funeral,” Vicky told her.

“Okay, okay! You win, but you are not stayin’ here with me. Someone has to help those two girls run the diner.”

“How long did we run it by ourselves before Jancy got stranded?” Vicky asked.

“You got an answer for everything. I’m going to take a nap, and when I wake up, you better both be gone.” She yawned and shut her eyes. “You tell Emily and Jancy what I said. I don’t want to talk.”



Jancy grabbed the phone on the first ring, said hello and put it on speaker so that she and Emily could both hear at the same time. Shane and Ryder left the booth and leaned on the other side of the counter.

“You’ve got me, Jancy, Ryder, and Shane here, Mama. Tell me she’s going to be all right.”

“It was a mild heart attack and they are probably going to put in a pacemaker. She’s faking sleep,” Vicky said.

“I am not,” Nettie said.

“Putting it on speaker,” Vicky said. “You’ve got me, Nettie, and Andy.”

“What do we need to bring when we come down there?”

“If you need anything before they close the diner, I’ll bring it to you,” Ryder said.

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine until then. It’s only a few hours. Emily, pack a bag for me to stay until Friday, and don’t forget my purse. Andy is going to stay with me until y’all get here.”

“Don’t you dare bring stuff down here to last until Friday.” Nettie’s eyes snapped open. “I’ll be just fine and she’s needed at the diner.”

“Hey, I’ll call Waynette to fill in the rest of the week. She’ll be glad for the extra money and I’ll do the cookin’. You know very well that between me and Jancy we can run this place. Where is the tart recipe?” Emily asked.

“In the cigar box in the safe,” Vicky said.

“I thought it was in a lockbox at the bank,” Jancy said.

“It is, but there’s also one in the cigar box. I’ll raise your classified status enough that you can see it, but if you even let Andy Butler catch a whiff of it, I’ll fire both of you.” Nettie raised her voice.

“If you don’t behave in this hospital, I will go to the diner and steal it,” Andy teased.

Nettie shook her fist at him. “Put a woman in a hospital gown and everyone thinks they can boss her around.”

“Mama, do you want us to close up now?” Emily asked.

“Not necessary. I’ll stay if Waynette will help out for the next few days,” Vicky said. “See you in a little while.”

“Love you,” Emily said and put the receiver back on the stand.

It was on the tip of Jancy’s tongue to add her “love you” before Emily hung up the phone, but she held it back. The way she’d worried and kept the tears at bay all morning made her feel like family, and she did love Vicky and Nettie.

“It could have been much w-worse,” Shane stammered. “How about w-we all go together this evenin’? Ryder can take his truck so there’s plenty of room. Vicky is stayin’, so she w-won’t need a ride home.”

“That’s sweet and yes, thank you,” Emily said. “We’ll be ready soon as we close the doors. I’ll call Waynette right now, and even if she can’t work, we can manage, can’t we, Jancy?”