Page 71 of Their Stormy Reunion

Dad turned in his seat to look at Mom. “Everybody in town knows what happened. There aren’t any secrets.”

“In that case, Dad. Why don’t you and Mom get out of the car and put our names in, and I’ll park. I’ll meet you inside.”

“Fallon, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” my mom whispered.

“It’s a great idea, Isla. My appetite is finally back, and I want some diner food. I’m not leaving.” He opened his door, got out, and then opened Mom’s door. I watched as they both headed into the restaurant. I could feel a headache rolling in, and it was going to be a doozy.

When I got inside the diner, there wasn’t anybody in line.

“Fallon, you’re looking pretty as a picture,” Little Grandma called out.

I loved this woman. She was who I aspired to be. She was kind and wise, and knew what was going on in this town, but never spread gossip.

“Your folks are in the corner pocket near the window,” she told me. “Here, take a menu. Lettie will be by to tell you the lunch specials, but you don’t need to listen to them. Have the country ham with red-eye gravy. You can’t go wrong with that.”

I mustered up a smile. “Thanks for the tip. That’s what I’ll order.”

“What’s wrong, Honey?”

“Nothing, ma’am.”

“You look like you’re experiencing some heartbreak. I thought things were looking up between you and Michael. Maybe not quite smooth sailing yet, but looking up.”

This time she shocked a smile out of me. “How did you know that?”

“Everybody loves our food, so we have a lot of guests. People like spending some time with me here at the hostess stand.”

“Well, your sources are right, things are improving,” I admitted.

“Has he grovelled?”

I frowned. “Little Grandma, what are you talking about?”

“When men really make a mess of things and come close to breaking their woman’s heart, the only way they can get back into their good graces is to grovel. Has he grovelled?”

“It’s not that way,” I whispered. “He has some issues he’s working through.”

“Issues, pishoos. Don’t psycho-mumble-jumble me. The man was a jackass. Broke your heart. He needs to grovel. Without the grovelling you’re never going to feel comfortable taking him back, even if you understand his issues.”

Little Grandma said the last word like it left a sour taste in her mouth. I laughed. I’d have to think on what she had to say. Maybe talk it over with Maddie.

“Now, if it isn’t Michael that has you looking so down in the mouth, is it your folks?”

I looked across the restaurant to where they were sitting. They were both just sitting at the table, looking out the window, not talking to each other.

“Yeah, it’s my folks.”

“Seems to me, your folks are pretty darned lucky to have a daughter who shut down her office in Chicago so she could come take care of her Daddy.”

I shrugged.

She hopped off her stool and took my arm. “Let’s get you over to your table. I haven’t had a chance to talk to your Daddy much since he got sick.”

I followed Little Grandma to the table and watched with surprise as she sat down in the fourth chair. Lettie, her granddaughter and head waitress, hustled over to our table. “What can I get you all?”

“I’ll have hot tea and a biscuit,” Little Grandma said. “Fallon will have the country ham and red-eye gravy.” The little dynamo turned to me. “What do you want to drink to go with it?” she asked me.

“Sweet tea would be great.”