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“Wait for me to get it.”
After having been stationed in North Carolina, you pick up a few things. One was Southern gentleman manners. I sure as hell didn’t learn them from my father.
I went around the front of the truck and opened her door. I held out my hand to help her out. I enjoyed seeing the length of leg that was on display as she stepped onto the running board and then down to the street.
“I’ve been here for breakfast, but I haven’t been here for lunch,” Marlowe admitted.
“Then you’re in for a treat.”
8
“Brady, I have a table near the window waiting for you.”
“Little Grandma, how’d you know I was coming in for lunch?”
“Just a feeling I had.”
I shivered. I hated feelings like that. They reminded me too much of my dreams, too much of that woman Blessing. But I forced myself to smile.
“And who are you?” The old woman smiled at Marlowe.
“I’m sorry. I forgot my manners. This is Marlowe Jones. She’s renting Beau’s place.”
Little Grandma smiled. “You’re the new math teacher. Aren’t you pretty as a picture?” She turned on her stool. I knew she was getting ready to holler for Lettie, but her granddaughter was already beside her, grinning.
“Hey, you two. Your table is waiting. Follow me.”
Lettie seated them in the far corner, like we needed privacy. I appreciated it.
“What can I get you two to drink?”
“Iced tea for me,” Marlowe answered.
“I’ll take water.”
Lettie plopped down the menus and left us, and Marlowe laughed. “We’re going to be the talk of the town.”
“Huh?”
“The two of us eating here, both of us not wearing jeans? It’s looking date-like. Yep, this will be all over Jasper Creek by tomorrow morning.”
“I think you’ve got this wrong. People have better things to do with their lives than gossip.”
Marlowe laughed again, and I couldn’t help but be affected. It was low and husky and it hit me in my gut.
“You were in the service, right?”
I nodded.
“How long?”
“Fourteen years.”
She tilted her head and grinned. “Are you telling me that there wasn’t scuttlebutt flying around base when people hooked up?”
“Scuttlebutt? What are you doing using a Navy term?”
“My dad was in the Navy,” Marlowe said quietly. “I lost him, my mom, and my sister in a car wreck when I was in college.”
