The Strawberry Hearts Diner(60)

The normal prechurch breakfast rush was over, and the four of them sat at the counter and ate breakfast together. The lunch rush hit about fifteen minutes after the last amen at both churches in town, and when it was over, everyone fixed a plate except Jancy. She opted for a double meat and bacon burger with extra cheese and an order of tater tots.

They hadn’t seen Ryder or Shane all day. Jancy figured Ryder was lying low, building his courage for that evening. But she hadn’t even gotten a text from Shane, and that was odd since he normally fired off half a dozen by noon.

She’d finished the last bite of her burger when she saw Ryder’s truck pull into the parking lot. He got out, shook the legs of his jeans down over his boots, and headed toward the diner. Then the back door opened, and Shane crawled out, jogged around the back of the truck, and opened the door.

Jancy recognized Shane’s grandfather, Hank, right away. His hair had gotten grayer, his back a little more bent, and his walk slower. He still wore bibbed overalls and a plaid shirt, but his scuffed-up old work boots had been replaced with running shoes. Shane popped open a walker and helped Hank push it across the gravel parking lot.

“Well, look who Shane is bringing for a visit.” Nettie went to the door and opened it wide. “Hank Adams! It’s good to see you,” she said as they entered the diner.

He smiled. “It’s good to see all y’all, Nettie. Even though I’ve made a lot of friends in the center, I miss this place. You still makin’ those tarts?”

“Most of the time, but I had a little visit in the hospital last week. We’ve got some almighty good strawberry cupcakes that the girls whipped up. You want one?”

“Yes, with a cup of your nice strong coffee,” he answered. “Now where is this girl that Shane brought me to see? I hear that she’s Lucy Wilson’s granddaughter. I always liked Lucy.”

“You still take it with two sugars and double cream?”

“Yes, I do, and two teaspoons of instant coffee stirred into it to give it some kick. They won’t let me have that much caffeine in the center. I tell them that my innards are fine. It’s just my bones that have failed me.” His head went up and down like a bobblehead doll.

“Gramps, sit right here.” Shane helped him get settled into a booth. “Jancy, come say hello.”

Hank smiled when he caught sight of Jancy. “I swear, it’s like lookin’ at Lucy when she was a young girl. Tell me again how you got back to Pick after all these years.”

Shane wrapped his big hand around Jancy’s and led her to the booth. “Gramps, I told you about her car catchin’ on fire and how she’s working here at the diner.”

“Yes, but I want to hear her voice and see if she sounds like Lucy.” Hank smiled.

Jancy took a step forward. “It’s like this, Mr. Hank. I had no intentions of even stoppin’ in town. I went to the cemetery to see my granny’s grave, but fate had another plan. My car caught on fire right out there about where Ryder has parked his truck. And there was a sign in the window that said these folks needed some help.”

“You sound more like your mother than your grandmother. Elaine always had a sweet, soft voice. Honey, it wasn’t fate that dropped you where you need to be. It was God sending Shane the girl he’s always had a thing for.” Hank winked.

Crimson filled Shane’s cheeks. “Gramps!”

Hank chuckled. “Don’t fight heaven. You’ll lose every time. Now, where are them cupcakes? Nettie, sit down right here and let’s visit.”

“We miss you around here,” Vicky said.

The older man looked around. “I miss this, too, but I’m in a good place. Shane is runnin’ the business and doin’ a good job. I’ve got new friends and some fine domino partners. And I like the look of this woman Shane is going to marry.”

“Gramps!” Shane blushed again.

“Just callin’ it like I see it, son.”

Jancy tucked her hand in Shane’s. “Shane, will you help me in the kitchen?”

“Sure thing.” He hopped up, giving Nettie his place.

When they reached the kitchen, he wrapped her into his arms, tipped up her chin, and kissed her so passionately that she could feel happiness filling the void in her heart. Had her grandmother really sent her straight to Shane to find what was missing in her life?

Sweet little shivers traced up her spine as she stepped back and locked gazes with Shane. “That’s so sweet of you to bring him to meet me and to visit with Nettie.”

“I’ve w-wanted him to m-meet you ever since you got back in town, but he’s asleep by the time you get off w-work. When the doctor told him that he had the worst kind of arthritis, he put his affairs in order and checked into the care center. I hated it, Jancy. I could take care of him.”

“He knows you love him, and he’s proud of you.” Jancy rolled up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Do you remember he sat on the pew behind me and Mama at church? You were always there with him,” she said.

“I remember, believe m-me.” Shane kept her in his embrace as he looked out through the serving window. “There are folks at the care center who can’t leave their beds. I’m glad that he’s out with us.”

“Me, too,” Jancy said. “Is Ryder nervous about tonight?”