“Good to hear. By the way, I’m Lovey, and I own Granny’s. You’ve been part of the conversation tonight. You saved one of our dearest residents, and for that we are so very grateful.”

“Just call me Sully, and it was pure coincidence that I was there when it happened.”

“So, Sully, are you dining alone?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then come with me and brace yourself. I’m about to introduce you to some of Blessings finest. And just so you know, your meal is on the house.”

“Thank you,” Sully said. “Your place came highly recommended. I’m staying at the Blessings Bed and Breakfast, and both Rachel and Bud sang your praises.”

Lovey smiled as she picked up a menu and led him into the dining room.

Sully was admiring the woman’s silver-white hair and guessing she stayed fit from the nonstop flow of her job.

Diners glanced up to see who Lovey was seating, and then looked again when she stopped and whistled an earsplitting note to get their attention. To Sully’s delight, the room immediately went quiet, which led him to believe this wasn’t the first time she’d done this.

“Everyone! This is Sully, the man who saved Melissa’s life!”

The room erupted in cheers, clapping, and smiles. Sully had no choice but to respond. He waved and nodded to the people complimenting him as they moved through the dining room, and as they passed Peanut and Ruby’s table, Peanut stood up.

“Welcome to Blessings, Sully. I’m Peanut Butterman, and this is my wife, Ruby. If you’re not set on dining alone, we’d love to have you join us.”

Sully smiled. Meeting a man named Peanut Butterman could not be overlooked, and the smile from the pretty woman seated at the table was echoing her husband’s invitation.

“How can I turn down such a warm invitation?” Sully said. “I guess I’ll be sitting here, Miss Lovey.”

“Good choice,” she said, and laid the menu at the empty chair. “His meal is on the house, Peanut. Y’all enjoy.” She hurried back to the front as Sully sat down.

“Thank you for the company,” Sully said.

“Of course,” Peanut said.

A waitress appeared to take his drink order, and when she was gone, Peanut pointed to the menu.

“We’ll be quiet long enough to let you read the menu for what you want to eat. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.”

Sully scanned the dinner options and immediately settled on fried catfish just as his waitress appeared with his sweet tea and a small basket of fresh biscuits.

“Have you decided what you want to eat?” she asked.

“The fried catfish dinner,” he said.

Ruby reached across the table and gave his arm a brief pat.

“While you butter up one of those wonderful biscuits, tell us what brings you to Blessings,” she said.

“Are they that good?” Sully asked.

“Just butter it and take a bite,” Peanut said.

Sully wasn’t going to argue. A hot biscuit was a hot biscuit, so he broke one in half, put some butter on it, and took a quick bite. He knew when the bite started melting in his mouth before he had a chance to chew that he’d stumbled on a winner.