Chapter Six #2
“I’m a fan of good customer service,” Valerie replied. “They tell us their computer systems are faster, but I’ve got a backlog of work orders and a long line of customers waiting on something.” Valerie’s computer chimed and she smiled at Asher. “Congratulations, you’ve just joined the queue.”
“What happens next?” Asher asked.
“You wait until I call you. It could be later today or a matter of weeks.” She handed him another chocolate candy and added, “We appreciate your business. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
It was technically a workday. Back in New York, Asher would have been in his office.
Jumping from one meeting to another and using the minutes in between to approve a final contract or smooth over a client to finally reach an agreement.
There was always another investment opportunity to find and always somewhere to be.
And there was rarely a spare second to even consider whether he enjoyed his day.
Asher headed back to the diner where he’d parked earlier and where Big E was supposed to meet him after he finished at the feed supply store. Noting the crowded parking lot and lack of a familiar older cowboy lingering near Walter’s truck, Asher went inside and pulled up short.
The lunch hour at Galloping Fork was apparently the place to be. There was a line of customers waiting to be seated. Frannie hollered a cheerful welcome from across the diner that had more than a few locals swiveling in their chairs to look at him.
Asher touched his hat in acknowledgment and worked his way through the crowded dining area, keeping one eye out for Big E.
His progress was slowed every other table as he paused to greet former friends and shake the hands of neighbors.
Finally, he made it to the back of the diner and searched for a spot out of the way. Where was Big E?
The door to the kitchen swung open slightly. Kelley grabbed his arm and tugged him into the back toward the small office. Her smile lit up her eyes and had him grinning back. Now he could say he was starting to enjoy his day.
“I made you a sandwich, but you can’t eat it out there.” She picked up a to-go container off her desk and handed it to him then added, “It’s off-menu.”
Now he was curious. He flipped the lid and smelled bacon and roasted jalapenos. His stomach growled. “Are you afraid someone might see this and try to order it?”
“Frannie will make sure they do,” Kelley explained. “It’s one of her favorites and she believes it should be on the menu.”
“You don’t,” Asher said.
“It’s not my choice.” Kelley shrugged and added, “Speaking of my boss, Pauline should be here any minute. She’s got a new policy about outside food being kept outside the diner.”
Policies seemed to be a running theme for the day. “Then I’ll eat fast.” Asher lifted half of the grilled cheese and considered her. “Why am I getting a special order?” Not that he minded. Not even a little bit.
“To thank you.” Kelley’s smile was wide and warm. She reached out and squeezed Asher’s arm as if to share her delight. “This is the first day Frannie showed up for her shift here smiling and happy. Even more remarkable, she hasn’t made one order error yet.”
“I don’t think I can take credit for that,” Asher said.
Although he would like to take credit sometime for making his cowgirl chef happy.
He bit through the toasted sourdough bread then sighed around the explosion of flavor from the blackberry jam to smoky heat and crisp bacon.
He swallowed and said, “I think this just might be my new favorite, too.”
Her cheeks turned a rather fetching rosy color. It was her only acknowledgment to his compliment. I see you, cowgirl. Asher polished off the first half and went to work on the second part of the sandwich.
“Well, Frannie is over the moon with her new job at your stables,” Kelley explained. “You get all the credit for her newfound joy. I’m really grateful.”
What he wanted was to have his cowgirl chef all to himself. Asher opened his mouth.
“Kelley!” That shout came from the kitchen followed by, “Five minutes until call to order.”
Kelley sprang into motion, took the to-go container from Asher and tossed it into the trash can near the desk. “Come on. We need to find you a seat before the meeting. It’s probably going to be long, and you won’t want to stand the whole time.”
“What meeting?” Asher followed Kelley into the kitchen.
“The July Fourth Committee meeting,” Kelley said. “We’ve got quite the turnout today.”
Asher slowed near the service counter and pointed to the back door. “I think I’ll just slip out there and head on back to the stables.”
Hayes overheard and chuckled. “You aren’t going nowhere.” The cook pointed his spatula toward the window in the back door and asked, “That is Walter’s blue truck that you drove here, isn’t it?”
Asher nodded then frowned. He traded his compact rental car for the comfort of Walter’s extended cab, fully loaded truck. The four-wheel-drive diesel was upgraded, relatively new and reminded Asher how much he missed open spaces and open roads.