Read Online All in One Place by Carolyne Aarsen - Free Book Online

either.”
    “You're not my mother,” Cor grumbled, “or my wife.” He glowered up at me, but in the depths of his blue eyes I caught a glimmer
     of humor. “You look like a smart girl. Do you think I should listen to this man?”
    Now he was going to pull me into this? “I was taught that the customer is always right.”
    Father Sam held up a finger. “Yes. But which customer?”
    “Just get me the sugar and no one will get hurt.”
    “That's my line, Dad.”
    The gravelly voice behind me sent apprehension dancing down my spine. The timbre and tone were unmistakable and, unfortunately,
     unforgettable.
    I shot a quick glance over my shoulder. And there was my friend Jack. The cop. He was in plain clothes today, but he still
     had that cop walk, that air of authority.
    Those intense eyes.
    “Jack, sit down.” Cor slid over to make room. “You want some pie, son? Coffee?”
    “Hello, Father Sam,” Jack said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Father Cor.”
    “He's such a joker,” Cor said, slapping Jack on the back before saying with an expectant tone in his voice, “Jack, have you
     met Terra? She's new in town.”
    “I've met her,” Jack said. His expression was serious, but I caught the faintest twinkle in his eyes.
    Was he laughing at me?
    “Nice to see you again, Jack.” I pivoted, ready to make my dramatic exit, then stopped mid-spin as the coffeepot I carried
     reminded me of my job.
    I pivoted directly back. “Would you like some…?”
    “Could I bother you…?”
    Politeness put a stranglehold on our conversation as we stopped, each waiting for the other to speak and then, as if orchestrated
     by the conversation conductor, started up at precisely the same moment.
    “Would you…?”
    “If you don't…”
    Again with the pause, but this time I barreled right on through to the finish line: “—like some coffee?”
    “That'd be great,” he said, his smile carrying a bit more warmth and, added to that appealing voice, a bit more electric current.
    A handsome policeman. Man. Bad, bad combination.
    The words clanged in my mind as I poured the coffee, concentrating to make sure I didn't let any slop over the rim. I was
     determined to show Jack that I was a capable and efficient woman able to support herself by working as a waitress for whatever
     Lennie was willing to pay me.
    Not an irresponsible lush with a penchant for trouble.
    Plus, I could use any tip he might be inclined to drop on the table. Waitresses do not live by wages alone.
    “And how was your date last night?” Cor asked, pressing his fork into his pie. “Nice girl?”
    “I didn't go,” Jack said, his glance flicking over me before returning to his father. “I got a call.”
    I needed to get moving, not stand here finding out about Jack's love life. I had a good impression to make and limited time
     in which to make it.
    “Do you need anything else?” I asked, ready to leave.
    “I'm fine for now, thanks.” Jack didn't look up at me, which shouldn't have bothered me because I wasn't supposed to like
     him.
    “Order up.” I hurried to the kitchen where Mathilde pushed two plates at me and added a glower just in case I thought she'd
     gotten soft in the few minutes I was gone.
    Helen rushed up just as I took the plates from under the warming lights. “I need Arnie and Elizabeth's special on the fly,”
     she called out. “And where is Anita? Don't tell me she's a no-show again.”
    “Guess you girls will be running today,” Mathilde said. Did I imagine the note of glee in her voice?
    “Good luck keeping up with me, no matter how fast you punch orders into that stupid computer. You'll have to call the orders
     out the old-fashioned way.”
    I hadn't imagined the glee at all.
    “What's with Mathilde and her hate for the computer?” I asked Helen as we exited the kitchen.
    Helen laughed. “Mathilde's old-school. She's still ticked at Lennie for putting in the whole POSitouch screen and computer
     in the kitchen.