They elected to walk since it was only a few blocks, crossing Beech Street and approaching the café from the rear. The back door was padlocked, forcing them to cut between buildings to the Main Street entrance.
“Oh, good! The lights are on,” Bess said. “Now you can get a better idea of what needs to be done.”
A faded blue pickup like the one Scott had driven was parked at an angle in front of the café. Of course, there were probably a hundred like it in the county, but she couldn’t help wondering whether she would see him again while she was in town.
“Come on in, ladies.” A portly man with a white beard and a matching mane of hair opened the front door and motioned them inside.
“This is my niece,” Bess said. “Lori, Carl Mitchell is the man who’s going to help us put this place in order.”
“Not by myself, I’m not,” he said, with a belly-shaking laugh. “That’s why Scott is here.”
Carl gestured at the man who was stooped down, examining the front of the lunch counter, with a small boy beside him. He slowly rose, straightening to his full six feet two inches, exactly ten inches taller than Lori. It was easier for her to remember this than to look directly into his eyes.
“Scott, this is Bessie’s niece—”
Scott nodded. “Yes, I saw Lori in town earlier.”
“Scott, I didn’t expect to see you here.” Lori’s voice didn’t sound as though it belonged to her.
“Oh, you two know each other,” Carl said. “Splendid, since you’ll be working together until we get this place fixed up.”
“Scott runs his own construction company,” Bess said. “He did some wonderful work at the school, so I know he’ll take care of everything that needs doing around here.”
“Hi, Lori,” Joey said.
Lori was enchanted when the little boy remembered her name and offered his hand for a very adult shake.
“Lori has agreed to be our chief cook and manager,” Bess said.
“Only until the café is up and running,” Lori added so quickly that the words came out sounding breathless.
“I’d like to say that the place will be ready for business in a few weeks, but from what I’ve seen so far, there’s quite a bit to be done to get it up to code,” Scott said. “I’m going to have to rip out the wainscoting to see what’s underneath, and that window will fall out of the frame if someone blows hard.”
“You’re making it sound expensive,” Carl said, his laugh not quite so hearty now.
“I’ll give you the best deal I can,” Scott said, speaking to the older man but looking in Lori’s direction. “First, I’ll have to check out the basement and roof, but it’s the kitchen that really worries me. I don’t know how they ever got a gas range that big and heavy into the place.”
“Old Amos Conklin was real proud of that monstrosity,” Carl said, talking about the café’s longtime owner. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he took out the front window to get it in.”
“Yeah, that would work since you’ve got double swinging doors going into the kitchen. If it were up to me, though, I’d sell it for scrap metal.” Scott shook his head, and his eyes met Lori’s. “How does that sound to you?” he asked her.
Lori looked around the dusky interior of the old kitchen with misgivings. The café had been in the same family for three generations, and the gas range looked to be as old as the original owner.
“It’s not a decision I can make,” she said tactfully. “I’m only temporary help.”
“Of course, you can, Lori. You know much more about running a kitchen than anyone on the committee,” her aunt said.
“I think I can speak for everyone,” Carl said. “Whatever works for you is fine with us. We planned on making some big improvements when we pooled our money to buy it. We’re hoping you’ll work with Scott on this.”
“I really don’t know anything about renovations,” Lori replied.
“Maybe not, but you know how a restaurant should be. I think it’s a splendid idea for you to consult with Scott,” Bess said.
“Splendid,” Lori repeated in an unsure voice.
“I can’t do anything until Monday,” Scott said. “I have to finish a wheelchair ramp this weekend so the home owner can come home from a nursing home. Why don’t you meet me here Monday morning, after I drop Joey off at day care. Make it about eight-fifteen.”
Scott scooped up his son, said his goodbyes and headed for the door.
Her aunt beamed, Carl smiled benevolently and Lori felt as if she’d just stepped into quicksand. She wanted to do this favor for her aunt as quickly as possible and get on with her life somewhere else. Scott was the one person in Apple Grove who could awaken old feelings and complicate her life.
What had she gotten herself into?
Chapter Two
Anyone who thought small-town life was too quiet should follow Aunt Bess around for a day, Lori thought.
She was pretending to read a book she’d borrowed from her aunt’s bookcase, but the words were a meaningless jumble as she thought about the prospect of working with Scott.
“Just one more phone call,” Bess called out from the kitchen. “Then we’ll have a little chat before bed.”
Lori knew that her aunt was eager to hear all the details about her departure from the job in Chicago, but she wasn’t ready to release all the pain bottled up inside of her. Bess would see her point of view and envelop her in sympathy. She would counsel her to put her faith in the Lord and would tell her everything would work out for the best. Lori wholeheartedly wanted to believe that, but she wasn’t ready to share her frustration and loss of confidence, not even with her dear aunt.
“I know you and Scott will work well together,” Bess said, plopping down in her recliner and using her toes to kick off her sandals. “I remember how you always dropped by when he was scheduled to cut my grass. When you were here, he took double the time to do my yard. Seeing as how you both had such big crushes, I was surprised that you never dated.”
Lori blushed. Had she and Scott been so transparent with their feelings back then?
“Well, it looks like you could use a good night’s sleep,” Bess said. “I hate to admit it, but I’m worn to a frazzle, what with the field trip my class is planning and all the business with the café. I think I’ll go to bed. Is there anything you need?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Well, I’ll say good-night, then. I’m so happy the Lord has brought you home to Apple Grove.”
“I’m grateful to be here. Thank you for taking me in.”
“As if I don’t love you like a daughter,” her aunt said, giving her a hug.
For a few moments after Bess left the room, Lori basked in the warmth of her aunt’s love. She adored Bess, and she hated the thought of disappointing her when it came time to leave.
Monday morning Scott gave Joey’s face a quick once-over with the washcloth, satisfied that his milk mustache and the stray bits of oatmeal were gone. He might only be imagining it, but the women at the day care seemed to inspect his son with eagle eyes whenever Scott dropped him off. They didn’t seem to trust a single father to keep his child neat and clean. It wasn’t easy, but he loved Joey, and would do all he could to raise him right.
“Can I take my yo-yo?”
“Better not. We’ll have another lesson after