“Richard’s there? It’s not like him to be staying and ordering food from us. Doesn’t he usually get gourmet shit flown in from Auckland?”

Pania laughs. “He has ordered in before. Maybe he felt like slumming it today?”

“Maybe. I hope he knows again that he’ll be paying a premium for delivery. That road probably has black ice this time of year.”

She frowns. “If you’re worried about it, why don’t I take it?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll just drive slowly. Besides, I’ll have to swing by and grab Melly first.”

“I’ll get the sale processed. It’s just a couple of burgers, fries, and a thickshake so won’t take long to throw together.”

“Sounds good.”

I head out to the front of the diner. Damon, who spends more time here than his printing business down the road, waves at me from a stool at the end of the counter

“I’m heading out to get Melly and take a food delivery. You two okay?” I ask Trina and Jo who are both out serving customers. They nod, Trina walking toward the counter to cover for me.

“Delaney, could I have another coffee?” Damon asks.

“I’m sure Trina can help you with that.” I smile.

“I like it better when you do it.”

I bristle. “Well, Trina’s good at making coffee and I have to get Amelia. The school bell doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Before he answers, I turn on my heel and walk out the back. “Food ready?”

Pania nods. “Just about. The fries have another thirty seconds or so. Damon give you grief out there?”

“He wanted me and me alone to make his coffee.”

She sighs. “That man has it bad. But he needs to find someone else to moon over.”

“Can’t you go out and flirt with him for a bit?” I flutter my eyelashes at her.

Laughing, she shakes her head and returns to the deep-fryer. “Here’s your meal. Have fun, and don’t forget your jacket. It’ll be freezing up there.”

By the time I get to school, the bell’s rung and Melly’s waiting near the gate. I let out a sigh of relief because while we have the standard delivery time on the website as approximately thirty minutes, Richard’s house is on the outer limit due to its location.

She jumps in the car, and I buckle her into her child seat.

“We’re going for a drive,” I say.

“Where?”

“Up the mountain. I have a delivery to make before we go to the diner.”

She claps. “Can we see the snow?”

“It’s not cold enough for snow, honey.”

Melly pouts.

“We’ll come back when there is, and maybe we can make a snowman.”

“Like Olaf?”