Read Online The Way to a Man's Heart (The Miller Family 3) by Mary Ellis - Free Book Online

coffee but no food until we open.” Her white prayer kapp was already askew and baking powder smudged her nose.
    “Do you think it’s wise to encourage them?” Leah asked, slipping an apron over her head.
    “Yes, I do. A restaurant lives or dies by its regular customers, so don’t be so inflexible.” April flipped the bacon without spattering the grease.
    Properly chastised, Leah carried out two cups of coffee as soon as it finished brewing.
    “You read my mind, Miss Miller,” said Steven, taking a long sip.
    “It was a very short story, no?” Daniel teased, picking up his mug. “This was very nice of you, danki.” He seemed intent on blocking her path back into the diner.
    “You’ll have to thank Mrs. Lambright. It was her idea. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll help her open up.” She stepped around him and marched up the steps like a soldier.
    “We’re counting the minutes till the sign lights up,” Steven called and then they both laughed.
    Leah rolled her eyes, but felt a small thrill. She wasn’t used to this sort of interest.
    April is right — those two do seem to possess an attraction for me. Probably like mosquitoes to a bug zapper.
    Once back inside, she became so busy that she forgot to turn the sign on. Creamers and shakers needed filling. Strawberries had to be washed and sliced. And then April assigned her to the griddle to start pancakes. When a tap on the window drew her attention, Leah ran to unlock the door. Several others had arrived besides the two early birds.
    “Thank goodness,” Daniel said. “We couldn’t wait another minute.” The men carried in their mugs and took their usual booth. “Is it pancakes, waffles, or French toast today?” he asked with eyes as round as an owl’s.
    “Pancakes,” she said, fighting back a grin.
    “My favorite,” said Steven. “Give me the special.”
    “You say that no matter which one it is,” Leah said without looking up.
    “I’ll have it too,” added Daniel. “Did I mention you look especially pretty today?”
    “No need to mention things like that.” She wrote two specials on her pad and then went for the coffeepot.
    Soon the diner filled up with people headed to the auction, so for an hour neither woman knew which end was up. When the breakfast crowd cleared out, Leah wiped down the counter with spray cleaner. Someone was sitting in the last booth she hadn’t noticed before. His nose was buried in a newspaper but the top of his head revealed hair as black as a crow’s.
    Upon recognition, Leah felt a shiver of excitement. Carrying over the coffeepot, she smoothed her wrinkled apron along the way. “Hello,” she said merrily. “I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”
    Jonah Byler set down his paper and glanced up. All of Leah’s aplomb vanished when she looked into those robin’s egg blue eyes. “Hi, Leah. I wanted to see where you worked…to see what kind of a diner needed oddball, artistic cheeses.” His deep dimples reappeared.
    “Do you think you might be able to forget those two words?” She tipped the pot to refill his cup. Unfortunately, a moment or two passed before she realized the pot was empty.
    He pushed away his oatmeal bowl. “I’ll never bring it up again if you get me some fresh coffee.”
    Leah set the carafe down. “How exactly did you find out where I worked? I never mentioned it.” The mysterious man grew ever more so.
    He leaned forward and whispered, “I was very clever.” He glanced around to make sure no one was listening to them.
    Leah felt a ripple of nervous energy snake up her spine.
    “On my way to the barn, I read ‘The Diner, County Road 505, Winesburg, Ohio’ on the side of your boss’ pickup.” He laughed and returned to his newspaper.
    With cheeks aflame, Leah stormed into the kitchen. “World’s biggest ninny,” she muttered.
    “What was that?” April asked when the door swung closed.
    “I’m just talking to myself,” Leah said, beginning to load the