“You’re still a hero in my book, which brings me to why I’m in Blessings. I want to include you and Lovey in my film. It’s the last documentary I’ll be doing for Nat Geo, and I will be retiring after it’s turned in. I just wanted to meet you, get a feel for the story, and see if you and Lovey would be willing to participate. If so, we can set up another time when the two of you would be available to talk, and I could get some updated photos to prove you both survived. Also, maybe get a bit of info from the two hospital employees who helped you get her down from the dozer.”

Johnny grinned. “Yes, sir. I’d be honored. I think Lovey will agree, but I can’t speak for her.” He handed Marc his card. “This has my cell number on it. Just let me know a day ahead of when you want to do this, so I’m not out on a job somewhere.”

“Will do,” Marc said. “I’ll be in touch. Now how do I go about finding Lovey?”

“Just wait at the counter. She should be back any minute.”

“Got it, and thank you for agreeing to do this,” Marc said.

“Sure thing,” Johnny said. “See you soon.”

Marc walked up to the register and was leaning against the counter when he saw a pretty gray-haired woman in jeans and a red shirt hurrying toward the counter. Then he looked at her again and straightened up, staring at her face, at the smile—and felt like he’d been sucker punched.

“Janie? Janie Chapman?”

Lovey gasped. “Oh. My. God.” She felt like she was dreaming. “Marc Adamos? Is that you?”

“Yes. What are you doing here?”

“I own the place,” she said.

Marc frowned. “I was told a woman named Lovey Cooper owns it.”

“That’s me. No one in Blessings calls me Janie.”

His eyes widened in disbelief, remembering that lifeless-looking woman in Johnny Pine’s arms and looking at her now. He just shook his head and wrapped his arms around her.

“I came to interview the survivor of a hurricane, never imagining in a thousand years it would be you. And I just found out what happened to you less than a week ago. I went home for Uncle Wayne’s funeral, and some of my cousins were talking about the old days, and when I heard them mention something about how sad it was what happened to you, I nearly lost it. I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry,” he said. “Is there somewhere we can talk? Can you come sit in the car with me a bit?”

“Give me a minute,” Lovey said, and spun out of his arms and went into the dining room. He followed, curious as to what her life had become, and was surprised by the size of the place and her obvious expertise.

Within a couple of minutes, she came back with one of the waitresses.

“Marc, this is Wendy. Wendy, this is Marc Adamos. I’ll be gone for a bit. I have my phone. Call if there’s an emergency.”