Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (9 page)

Jimmy nodded to the dining room. “Awful quiet out there. Too quiet, if you ask me.”

“Goodness, I pray that sweet young couple hasn’t left because of all the stares and whispers.” Sarah wiped her hands on a dishtowel, hoping she wouldn’t hear the bell on the outer door until she could get back to the dining room. “What’s wrong with people?”

“You can’t stop them from staring.” Myrna shook her head. “It’s human nature to stare at something or someone we don’t see much of around here.” Seeing Sarah open her mouth, Myrna spoke again, most likely trying to preempt her. “I’m not saying it’s right, honey. It’s just the way it is.”

“Here.” After digging into his pants pocket, Jimmy tossed a coin her way.

Sarah caught it one handed. “What’s this for?”

“What’s one thing that always makes people happy if they’re sportin’ a frown as deep as old Perry’s well?”

“Besides your food?” Myrna said, laughing.

Jimmy angled his head toward the dining room. With a grin, he moved his hips, hummed a quiet tune and shuffled his feet.

After puzzling over his meaning for a few seconds, Sarah dropped the coin into her apron pocket. “Gotcha.” Sliding the platters off the table, she gave Jimmy a wink. “I think it’s Wah Watusi time.”

♥

Sam’s steps slowed as he approached Perry’s. Loud music could be heard from inside the diner, and he tried not to stare as he paused in front of the large, plate glass window. Half the customers were dancing or gyrating to a tune blaring from the jukebox. “The Loco-Motion” from the sound of it.

Unable to hide his smile as he stepped inside the door, Sam caught sight of Sarah dancing in the middle of the diner with Debbie and Arnie. A young colored couple danced beside them. Laughing together, they all seemed be having a grand time. Even Harold and Betty were dancing, and was that Perry Sellers swaying to the music with Ella Hardesty? That was something he’d never thought he’d see. His intuition told him Sarah had something to do with this impromptu dance party.

Charlie waved to him from his table. Excusing himself as he made his way through the onlookers clapping and watching the dancers, Sam slid into a seat a few seconds later. Putting his green folder on the table, he nodded in Sarah’s direction.

“Just look at her, would you?” She’d ditched her shoes and her smile mesmerized him. Her hair looked about to tumble out of the confines of her hairnet. “She’s so. . .effervescent.” That’s the word that came to mind, but it was only one of many adjectives to describe Sarah. Tearing his gaze away from her with reluctance, Sam focused on Charlie. “What’s the story?”

Charlie finished his roast beef sandwich and swiped his napkin over his mouth. “That couple came in here about a half-hour ago. You know these people. Stopped eating and gave them the stink eye.” He took a long swig of his soda. “Half of them acted like they’d seen a ghost, which is kind of ironic when you think about it. Anyway, Sarah got them settled at a table, then got their food and—before long—she put a coin in the jukebox and got everybody up and dancing. Good to see old Perry out there shaking a leg, too.” He winked. “Sarah’s not bad, either.”

Sam sat back in the booth to watch. Patti approached a couple of minutes later. “Want some iced tea, Sam?”

“Sure. Thanks, Patti.”

The young, dark-haired mother of two toddlers looked tired. Nothing new about that. He knew she was run ragged at the diner and again when she went home every night. Her husband, Tony, helped out as much as he could, but neither one had family nearby. Maybe he’d mention it to his mother and see if she could round up some ladies willing to babysit so Patti and Tony could enjoy a well-deserved date night.

“You’ve got it bad for her, don’t you, buddy?”

Sam stared at Charlie. “Patti? Nah.” He laughed when Charlie shook his head. “Afraid so, but as smart as she is, I don’t think Sarah has a clue. She’s going away to nursing school, and I have no plans to leave Rockbridge. At least in her eyes, that’s probably an insurmountable obstacle.”

His friend sat back in the booth and crossed his arms. “So, that’s it? Since when did you base your actions on probability?” When Sam gave him a look, Charlie frowned. “Come on, Sam. You’re a numbers man. You like everything finite and measurable. Sometimes life isn’t that way. You ask me, you should pursue the idea and see what could happen between you and the lovely Miss Jordan. I’d venture to say something already has.”

“We’re friends, that’s all.” Not that he didn’t want more. “I don’t see any future between us.” It was Sam’s turn to frown. “Look, I’ve had my time away from Rockbridge. I pursued my dream, and by the grace of God, I achieved it. Now, it’s Sarah’s turn. I can’t deny her that time to find her own dreams.” He sat back in the booth and crossed his arms, mirroring Charlie. “As much as I hate the thought that she’ll be leaving Rockbridge, her happiness trumps my selfish desires.”

Charlie straightened his shoulders in a move indicative that he wasn’t giving up until he’d stated his case. Oh no, his friend was only getting started. “I gotta love your sense of martyrdom. Now that you’ve done what you wanted in life, you’ve come home dragging your proverbial tail between your legs? Is that it? You make it sound like you’re old and ready to lie down and die.”

Sam snorted. “I don’t think so. I’m six years older, you realize. Sarah might not even look at me as dating material. Matter of fact, she told me she used to pretend I was her older brother.”

“Oh.” Charlie’s brows drew together. “That’s not so bad, I guess, as long as she doesn’t look at you as a sibling now. Do me a favor. Since you can’t seem to stop staring at her, I want you to look at Sarah right now and tell me what you see. Be completely honest.” Charlie chuckled under his breath. “Something other than the fact that she’s effervescent. Whatever that means.”

“You’re on.” What could it hurt? Following Charlie’s advice, Sam returned his gaze to Sarah. She was still talking with the new couple and now sat at their table. Considering Myrna and Jimmy weren’t in sight, Sarah must not be in trouble. Patti was waiting on the customers, and they appeared happy and content.

“She’s full of life, energy, and she radiates joy from the inside out,” Sam said. “There’s an honesty, a purity of spirit in her. I like her fire, her generosity, her intelligence. Pretty much everything about her. I don’t know any girl who would dance with a couple of color much less in the place where she works and with her hair half-falling down.” He loved her hair, and with her face flushed, those golden blonde waves in disarray, she’d never looked more beautiful. He wouldn’t even have guessed she could dance since the church didn’t exactly encourage such things. He’d danced a few times in high school and then when he was overseas. Not much, but enough to know he enjoyed it. Unlike some people, he didn’t believe dancing was inherently sinful, if kept respectable. The thought of dancing with Sarah appealed to him more than ever. Especially a slow number.

When he hesitated, stuck on that last thought, Charlie gestured for him to continue his observations. “Go on.”

“I don’t know many girls who’d be willing to get dirty and sweaty on a softball field by choice, either. I used to tease her and called her Tomboy when we were kids. She was more than willing to get covered in slime when all those puppies and kittens were born in our garage. Sarah was beside me every step of the way. I got queasy and upchucked a whole lot more than she ever did. She’s smart, and she’s tough.” Forcing his attention away from where she still talked with the couple, Sam focused on Charlie. “Sarah’s funny, and she challenges me. Then as now, she has a strong, fearless spirit. I’ve always admired her for that.”

“That’s what I thought.” The smirk on Charlie’s face smacked of
I told you so
smug satisfaction. “So, the next question has to be,
when
are you going to ask her out?”

That question brought a quick frown to Sam’s face. After thanking Patti when she brought his iced tea, Sam traced a pattern in the sweat already forming on the outside of the glass. “Not that I don’t want to ask her, but like I said, I don’t see much point.”

Charlie slid out of the booth and rose to his feet with his lunch ticket in hand. “From what I hear, Sarah’s not planning on leaving until she gets enough money saved to go to nursing school. That might take another year.” He lowered his hand to Sam’s shoulder. “That’s a lot of time. Don’t let Sarah go without letting her know how you feel. For one thing, you don’t have a girl like that come into your life very often. Besides, I don’t want to hear your bellyaching after she’s left Rockbridge, lamenting about how you missed your chance with her. You’ve got your chance now, buddy. Take it.” He patted his shoulder again and turned to go.

For whatever reason, Charlie’s comment sparked something inside Sam. “Right back at you.”

Charlie paused and turned around to face him, brows lifted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Sam motioned for him to sit back down. When he did, Sam leaned close and lowered his voice. “Don’t think I haven’t seen the way you look at Tess. As far as I know, she plans on sticking around Rockbridge permanently, a fact I find somewhat surprising. None of the other guys around here have apparently worked out for her. So, you tell me, when are you going to get around to asking Tess out on a date?”

“I don’t know, man.” Charlie avoided his gaze. Sam knew he’d struck a chord, and his friend’s reaction confirmed his suspicion. On several occasions, he’d caught Charlie stealing glances at Sarah’s older sister. “Tess is way out of my league.”

Sam grunted. “That’s crazy talk. You’re a good looking guy, you’ve got a great car, you’re one of the few single men in town who owns a house—not in the same neighborhood as your parents—and you’ve got a solid, reliable job.” He rapped the tabletop with his knuckles. “You ask me, it’s time for you to show Tess Jordan what she’s been missing.”

Charlie appeared to ponder his words for a few moments before a grin slowly spread across his face. “Maybe there’s something to what you say, Sam. I’ll think about it.”

“Let me know how I can help.”

“Ditto.” Charlie tapped his shoulder again as he rose to his feet. “I’ll see you later.”

“Count on it, Charles.” After he departed, Sam pulled out his green folder. He set to work while keeping one eye on Sarah. She bid the young couple goodbye and then disappeared, returning a few minutes later with her hair once again pinned back and neat. Her cheeks were still flushed the prettiest shade of pink, almost as pink as her uniform, and her eyes were bright.

Sam watched as Sarah served Perry Sellers his usual late lunch. The man was like clockwork in coming into the diner every day at two o’clock. He ordered one of three different platters, always with fries and black coffee to drink. A few seconds later, she planted a kiss on old Perry’s cheek. Even sweeter was the way the elderly gentleman blushed. Sam closed his folder and drained his glass, wondering what Perry had said or done to warrant that kiss.

“Hi Sam,” Sarah said, approaching his table. “Do you need anything?”

Good one, Lord.
That was a loaded question, especially now. He lifted his empty glass and gave Sarah his best smile. “I could use a refill on the iced tea.” He’d intended to leave, but he could spare a few more minutes before his next appointment at the bank.

“Coming right up. I’ll bring you some lemon slices, too.” Sarah always remembered the details. Had she also noticed how he’d been coming into the diner every weekday afternoon, sitting in the same booth, hoping for a word with her? A few times, she’d joined him during her break. Without fail, sharing even a short conversation with this girl considerably brightened his day.

“Who was the couple?” he said a minute later when Sarah put his iced tea on the table.

“Passing through town on their honeymoon. Isn’t that the sweetest thing?”

“Yes, it is, although I can’t imagine anyone just passing through Rockbridge. We’re not exactly a hub of activity.”

Sarah’s brown eyes widened. “Oh, you must not have seen the new billboard. It’s out on the highway, headed south, right before the Rockbridge exit.”

“Billboard? No.” Matter of fact, he hadn’t been outside of town since he’d returned. He’d had no reason since everything he needed—and then some—was within the town limits. “I’m surprised I haven’t heard about it.”

“Well, it’s only been up a couple of days, and to be honest, I haven’t even seen it myself. Drive by when you get a chance and let me know what you think.”

He cocked a brow. “Does the billboard have a photo of the Perry’s Diner staff? If so, I’m sure you’ll be getting a whole new clientele coming in here.”

She laughed, and her beautiful eyes lit even more. “No, but I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I meant it as a compliment.” All over again, Sam appreciated this girl’s enthusiasm for life, for people, and how it showed in everything she said and did, unconsciously or not. Maybe there was something to what Charlie said, and he should definitely try to get to know Sarah again before she left for nursing school. She’d be in Texas, after all, so it wasn’t like she’d be clear across the country.

“Sam?”

He snapped his gaze back to hers. “Sorry.” When Sam felt his eyes straying to her lips, he focused on Perry sitting at the counter over her right shoulder. “What did you say?”

A slow smile curved her mouth. “I was telling you the billboard is an artist’s rendering of the inside of the diner. He did a very good job based on the photo Myrna showed me. Then I asked if you wanted anything else?”

He held her gaze. “I’m good, thanks.”

Pausing in his work again a few minutes later, Sam tapped the pencil on the table, content to watch Sarah move among the customers in the diner. She was very efficient in serving her customers, making them feel special and valued. When the high school kids came in after school, she joked and talked with them the same as she did the older folks. That took a unique brand of talent. Shaking his head, he smiled.

“Sam?”

Sarah walked toward him as he prepared to leave the diner. “Want to meet Saturday afternoon at the creek? Say three o’clock or thereabouts?”

He nodded slowly. “I have to help my dad with something, but it sounds like a plan. I’ll be there as soon after three as I can.” Who was he kidding? Nothing short of a family emergency would stop him from meeting Sarah. Why did he suddenly feel like a kid again who wanted to punch his fist in the air after a football victory? As much as he loved the thrill of lifting off the ground in a jet, it paled in comparison to what he was feeling in this moment.

She’s asking as a friend. Nothing more.

Without a doubt, Charlie wasn’t the only Rockbridge citizen who’d noticed his fascination with the younger Jordan sister. He’d sensed the speculation. Some of the older ladies, in particular, didn’t bother hiding their curiosity about his love life. They’d come into the bank and—while filling out a deposit slip or passing by him in the lobby—they’d hint around or suggest the names of eligible young ladies. He’d run into Myrtle Newcomb at Johnson’s Market, and she’d offered to arrange a meeting with her niece or her hairdresser’s oldest daughter. He’d smiled and politely declined. And for what reason? Because he’d rather sit in a diner pining away for the one girl who couldn’t wait to get out of Rockbridge.