“I don’t have women, and that was the first time anyone has stepped foot into my house.” She raises her eyebrows. “Not counting you.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she jokes and starts the car. “You do know that I’m a bartender, right?” she says, and I just look at her. “You do know that I’m almost a shrink.”

“What’s your point?” I ask her.

“My point is that people talk. Women, especially, so you may not have women in your house, but you have women,” she says, putting the truck in reverse. “And all those women are waiting with bated breath to see who you’ll pick.” She looks away from me and backs out.

“I pick you,” I say to the empty space in front of me as I watch her drive away. I walk to my truck and make my way over to the diner. The bell rings over the door when I walk in, looking around at the tables that are full. Most of the people look at the door and smile at me when I walk in. Mr. Lewis comes out of the back kitchen and smiles at me. I walk over to the counter and sit on one of the red stools in front. “Hey there, Mr. Lewis.”

“Mr. Mayor.” He smiles big. “What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have two cheeseburgers fully loaded,” I say, looking up at the menu board that hasn’t changed in over ten maybe even twenty years. “Some fries and rings with that also.”

“Will do,” he says, turning and walking back into the kitchen. The door opens again, and I look over my shoulder to see that it’s Grady. He stops at a couple of tables on his way to the counter and takes the stool next to me.

“Hey,” he says. Mr. Lewis comes back out, and Grady places his order. “Did Jacob call you?”

“No.” My thumbs move on the counter as Delores comes out and puts two Cokes down in front of us with a smile. “Why?”

“I’m going to grab a couple of guys and go over to Savannah’s to put some wood up tonight,” he says, and I look at him confused.

“Why would you be doing that?” I ask. He avoids my eyes, and I know deep down that this has to do with my father. I can feel it in my bones.

“Seems everyone is busy,” he tells me, taking the Coke and bringing it to his lips, “with no spare time.”

“Is that so?” I ask. He just nods and looks over at me. “Interesting.”

“I think so, too,” he says.

“Do you need help?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “I can drop off the food and then come back.”

“Nah,” he says, shaking his head. “It’s all good. I have two guys coming in to help me.”