Chapter 6

Jessie filled a mug with fresh coffee and stood in the back of the kitchen, catching her breath. She had barely slept last night. Sleep eluded her until she searched as thoroughly as possible for a letter from Delfina but nothing turned up. BY the time she got in bed everything was whirling in her brain so fast she had trouble falling asleep.

She was, however, determined to start out n the right foot here. She had decided to look at this as a real opportunity, one that came to her when her life was taking a nosedive. And maybe, just maybe, she might like it enough to stay here. She had arrived at the diner promptly at five o'clock, meeting Alton and Rona in the rear parking area. They both looked slightly shocked that she'd actually showed up at this ungodly hour, but she had to show them she was serious. As things stood in her life, she might not have another choice.

Oh, she could always find a new apartment in Houston and look for another restaurant to hire her. But she'd be low man on the totem pole there again and good apartments she could afford were hard to come by. So she put on a positive smile along with her makeup and started out on the first day of the rest of her life.

"I'm not here to get in your way," she told them as soon as they walked in. "I just want to get a feel for the place. Mr. Wohl tells me you all are the heart and soul of Delfina's Diner."

Rona gave her a hard look. "Delfina was the heart and soul. She knew Fort Mavis and its people. We just did what she wanted."

Uh oh. And I'm the interloper.

She took a calming breath. Coming down heavy or being defensive was not going to help her here. "I know I'm a stranger here but I can tell already I'm going to love it." I am not lying, am I? I will, won't I? "I hope all of you will help me so I don't make any mistakes."

The two of them exchanged a look then nodded at her.

"Fine," Alton said. "Then we'd better get to work."

She wanted to get to the books. She'd seen a computer in the office the day before, obviously the one the spreadsheet came from, and she was itching to get to it. But watching her workers and assessing the flow of things was more important. So for the first hour or so she mostly stood around and watched, taking care not to get in anyone's way. Alton, at least six five with muscles on his muscles and a completely bald head, worked the stove and griddle like he was playing a violin. Rona took orders, stuck them on the wheel, filled coffee cups, and chatted up the customers, all while she kept everything moving with great efficiency. It was obvious they had an established rhythm and it worked well.

As they got busier toward seven thirty, Jessie made herself useful washing dishes and cleaning utensils. Again the two people looked at her in surprise but she was sure she saw Alton trying to hide a smile. By eight, when the restaurant had filled up, she told Rona she'd help with the coffee.

"I don't expect you to do everything," she told the woman. "And I'm sure Delfina didn't just sit around."

Rona just nodded and said a clipped, "Thanks."

Jessie was just about to carry a fresh carafe of coffee from the kitchen when the door to the diner opened. She looked up-and nearly dropped the pot. She blinked her eyes, thinking for a moment she was hallucinating but when she opened them, nope, what she saw was real.

"Don't drop that coffee, honey," Rona murmured as she passed her. "But I know what you mean. We all think he's a hunk."

For a moment, as she looked at Jack Ward, Jessie forgot to breathe. If he'd looked good in his sport coat and slacks as a Houston detective, he was mouthwatering in his sheriff's khakis and-wait! Were those boots he was wearing? What was he doing here in Fort Mavis? Dressed as deputy?

And wait! Who was that woman with him, looking like she was glued to his arm? He certainly hadn't let any grass grow under his feet after their breakup. He couldn't see her since she was still behind the door into the kitchen but she could watch him through the little window. She knew she should make herself go out there but her feet seemed glued to the floor.

How could she face him, the way she'd walked away from him? He'd been so hurt, and angry. She'd made the biggest mistake of her life. Too bad she hadn't realized it before.

"Jessie, are you okay?" Alton had come up behind her and there was concern in his voice. "Is something wrong?"

"Want me to take that?" Rona, back from serving an order, said at almost the same time.

"No." She hauled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm good. No problem."

She wasn't about to make a fool of herself in front of her employees first day at her new business. Gripping the handle of the carafe, she grabbed two mugs from the counter and marched over to the booth where Jack and his female had just settled themselves. With extra care, she placed the mugs in front of them.

"Coffee?" she asked.

Jack, who had been studying his cell phone, raised his eyes. Jessie was gratified to see his eyes widen in shock and the color leach from his face.

"Why, yes," the woman with him said. "Coffee would be great. Right, Jack?"

Jack seemed frozen, unable to say a word or take his eyes from her.

Jessie filled both mugs and handed them menus. "I'll be back to take your order in a few minutes."

Jack had yet to speak when she walked away, satisfied that she'd gotten the best of this situation. She might not have been expecting to see him in this town, but he definitely hadn't expected her.

"Do you know him?" Rona asked, when she was back in the kitchen. "You look like you saw a ghost."

"He reminds me of someone I used to know," was all that she said.

"Well, you looked like you was about to pass out. Want me to take their order?"

"No, I'll do it." She had to face him sooner or later. At the moment, it seemed she had the upper hand so she planned to use it.

Pasting a smile on her face, she grabbed an order pad and marched back out to the booth. The woman with Jack was leaning towards him, her fingers wrapped around his wrists. Jessie was sure the woman was giving him the third degree. She knew she would be.

Neither of them was paying attention when she walked up to the booth so she cleared her throat.

"Well, Jack Ward." She made her voice as bright and cheery as possible. "I thought that was you. What on earth are you doing all the way out here in Fort Mavis?"