Riding the Thunder - Deborah MacGillivray [44]
An hour earlier, Winnie’s yellow Beetle convertible had zoomed up, and she’d sashayed her tight little buns into the restaurant, claiming to be starving for one of Sam’s biscuit-and-sausage gravy breakfasts. The meal had been unhurriedly eaten and the dirty dishes removed, though to Winnie’s disappointment it wasn’t Derek but Mike clearing them away. Tuesday through Friday Derek worked afternoons and nights; on weekends he pulled a double shift, doing mornings as well, augmenting his savings for veterinary school. Winnie was aware of this routine. Except this morning, Derek had sent word through Delbert that he would be late. So, Winnie sat, one eye on the parking lot, scratching lotto tickets.
Asha admitted she was in a grumpy mood. She’d anticipated having breakfast with Jago, only his bungalow was empty, his car gone when she’d gotten up. Hoping he would still show and they could share a morning meal, she’d skipped eating. Now, her tum was rumbling due to the smell of Sam’s cooking. He was preparing crawfish etouffee and grumpy about being forced to use crabmeat.
“Crawfish or crabmeat, it smells delicious.” Asha inhaled and sighed.
The door pushed open and Netta came in, grumbled something unintelligible that might’ve been a “good morning,” then grabbed a cup of coffee and a Mars bar, clearly hiding behind her dark Wayfarer sunglasses. When Asha tilted her head, silently asking how it went with Liam after she’d left, Netta’s brows lifted.
“Don’t ask.” She shook the candy bar in warning. “Don’t even think about it.”
Asha had just finished writing out all the paychecks, as Netta plopped down on the stool beside her. With her perfectly manicured nails, she thumbed through the checks until she found her own. Seeing the amount, she scooted the sunglasses down to the end of her nose to look over them.
“I gave you a raise,” Asha explained.
“Much appreciated, boss. However, if Rhonda sees this she’ll pitch a hissy fit,” she warned, holding the check in the air.
Asha shrugged. “Let her. You work harder than she does. In the year since I hired you, money has gone up steadily around here. One of the best things I ever did. You keep people coming back with your chatter. Everyone adores you. As for Rhonda, I’m fed up with her calling in sick or coming in an hour late several times a week. Business is growing, so I am considering taking on a couple part-time waitresses. While I’m making changes, I thought you’d make a better hostess. You interested?”
Netta stalled by sipping her coffee and pretending to glance at the morning newspaper. Finally she gave Asha a half-hearted, “Could be.”
Sam pushed through the kitchen door with a load of glasses for under the counter. “Morning, Netta. You want some breakfast?”
She ripped open the Mars bar wrapper with her teeth, took a chomp and waved the candy. “Thanks, already got it.”
“Girl, that ain’t no fit breakfast. Shame on you.” Sam chuckled, shaking his head.
Once he’d ambled back to the kitchen, Netta leaned on the counter with her elbow. “So, why did you go hot-footing it away from Sexy Lips last night? It looked like you two were getting quite chummy in the shallow end of the pool. Then, pow—you were off running like you’re practicing for the Boston Marathon.”
Asha closed the ledger-style checkbook with a loud snap. “Don’t ask me about Jago, and I won’t ask about Liam.”
“Well, hell, that’s no fun.” Netta huffed, then turned and greeted the old man shuffling down the aisle. “Morning, Delbert.”
“Morning, pretty lady.” Delbert sat at the end of the counter, leaned back and called to Sam through the open space in the wall. “Two eggs over-easy, bacon, a side of hash browns and tomato juice.”
“Comin’ up.” Sam nodded and gave him a wave. “Glad someone knows what a fit breakfast is around this place.”
“Good Lord, what the hell is that?” Netta laughed.
They all turned. The cat from last night precariously walked along the narrow ledge of the windows, peering inside. Aware of their attention, he jumped