“I’m a general practitioner or a family doctor, as I like to tell people. I don’t like being tied down to a nine-to-five in an office, so I decided to put in a concierge practice where I treat the patients in their homes,” he answered. “I’m drawn to women with green eyes, and I really like the gold flecks in yours.”

“Compliments of my father.” She smiled across the table at him.

“Your turn,” Cody said. “Etiquette for first date and all.”

“I’m a veterinarian in a small town. I love what I do, and we have that business of being tied down to an office in common, so I take my van to my animal patients for the most part. For small animals that need spaying or neutering, I’ve turned my mother’s garage into a little clinic,” she answered.

“Well, now, that’s something I didn’t know. When Dolly weans her kittens, I should make an appointment with you to have her fixed,” he said.

Justine brought out a tray loaded with full plates and all kinds of condiments. “Here you go, folks. Y’all enjoy, and just wave me over if you need anything else.”

“Thanks,” Cody said. “It all looks great.”

She rushed off to wait on a man and a woman who had just come in with a couple of children. Stevie glanced out the window and noticed an SUV with an Arkansas tag. “Looks like those might be folks from out of state. If you were traveling with kids, would you stop at a local diner or find a McDonald’s?”

“I’m not much of a fan of fast food.” Cody salted his eggs and then used pepper for his gravy.

“Me either, except for hamburgers from Sonic.” Stevie picked up a piece of bacon with her fingers and took a bite.

“Well, now, if we’re talking hamburgers, I’m all in for a good, old greasy Sonic burger,” he said. “That can be our fourth date. We’ll drive over to the Sonic in Bonham and order burgers, fries, and chocolate shakes.”

“I might go out with you on the second and third date, just to get to the fourth one if you can guarantee me that,” she told him.

“It’s a promise,” he said, and nodded.

Stevie had her coffee refilled twice and had finished her breakfast when she finally said, “We should probably go, Cody. You’ve got a truck to rescue, and I need to clean out the refrigerator and go to the grocery store.”

“You’re right, but this has been fun.” Cody waved at Justine and she brought the check right over. He handed her a bill, told her to keep the change, and then slid out of the booth.

“Yes, it has and thank you,” she said.