The waitresses zipped to the order window and back out to the customers. Kenny was working the flat top in the kitchen with a row of order tickets hanging on the rack above him. She laid the casserole on the line counter.

It took her back to hear Andrew and Dad’s voices in the kitchen.

“It’s the thermocouple. I’m surprised you haven’t had to replace that before,” Andrew said. “They go out all the time.”

“If it had, I’d have known what to look for.”

Andrew stood and handed Dad the part. “If you find one locally, I’ll be happy to install it for you.”

Dad picked up the phone and made a call. “They’ve got the part.” He must’ve noticed her standing there. “Hey, princess.”

“Hi, Daddy. I put the casserole over there on the line counter. Did y’all figure out the problem?”

“Andrew did.”

“That’s great. What can I do to help until you get it fixed?” she asked.

“Could you go pick up the part for me?”

“Sure. Where is it?”

She could tell by the look on Dad’s face it wasn’t up the street.

“Is it in Raleigh?” That would be my luck.

“No. It’s just over in Jarvis. Shouldn’t take you too long. Here’s the address.” He handed her his credit card and the address on a slip of paper. “Thanks for saving me the trip.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “Anything for you, Daddy.”

“Thanks, Andrew. I owe you big time for this.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll go with her,” he said, then turned to Kelly. “To make sure they give you the right thermocouple.”

She wouldn’t know a thermocouple from a thingamabob. No sense risking getting the wrong part and having to go back.

Andrew must’ve sensed her hesitation. “If it’s okay with you.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

He washed his hands, then dug his hand into his pocket for his keys. “I’ll drive.”

“We’ll be back shortly,” she said, heading out of the diner with an extra skip to her step because he was going with her.

The bright yellow Mustang was parked right at the curb. She buckled her seatbelt and then put the address in her phone.

When he got in, she said, “This really is a nice car.”

“It handles great too,” he said, stepping on the gas to prove it. “I’m kind of impressed.”

“What do you drive back in France?”

“A Lexus LC.” He took the sunglasses from the console and put them on.

“That sounds expensive.”

“It’s my one extravagance since my great aunt insists I stay with her. I went a little wild on the lease of a fancy car.”

“That sounds fun. Do you have a picture of it?”

“Sure.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the pictures.