Oh boy,she shook her head.You're in trouble now.
CHAPTER FOUR
NICK
He wasn't sure how it happened, but he had a feeling that Katie was playing matchmaker.
And he was strangely okay with it.
The waitress stopped by the table a few minutes after they'd been seated. "Evening, folks. I'm Janie and I'll be your server tonight. May I start y'all off with some drinks? Appetizers?"
Nick saw Ruth's hesitation and wondered what it was she wanted but didn't seem to want to order.
He smiled at his daughter who looked like she was chomping at the bit to say something.
Leaning in against the table, Katie smiled at Ruth. "Do you like dessert?"
Ruth seemed taken aback by the question but answered it easily. "Love it. It kind of comes with the job."
"Awesome!" Katie snapped her fingers and turned to the server. "We're starting with the shared brownie sundae!"
Ruth's smile was brilliant. She gazed at his daughter like she was star struck.
He understood the feeling.
"Do you want a drink," Katie beamed at her. "Like wine? A cocktail?"
Ruth blinked and stared at his daughter. "What?"
Katie folded her arms on the table in front of her. "You don't have to worry about me. You can drink if you want to, my dad can't 'cause he's driving but he can drive you home so you can toss a few back if you want to."
Ruth started coughing and Katie got up from her seat to skirt around the table and pat Ruth on the back.
Nick felt bad for the server who looked like she'd just walked into a Candid Camera ambush. He lifted his chin to get her attention, and she turned toward him like he was the lifeline she was desperate for.
"Waters all around. And don't worry, my daughter won't be trying to get anyone drunk while you're gone."
The server turned her back and fled like the hounds of hell were after her.
When Ruth's cough subsided, Katie squeezed in beside her instead of coming to sit beside him again.
The way she settled in said she was there for the long haul, so he moved to the center of the booth and listened in as the two began to talk.
"I heard that Missus Guthrie got her claws into you."
Ruth stared at Katie, wide-eyed.
Nick leaned in toward the table. "Katie? What did I tell you about talking about people behind their backs?"
Katie, without missing a beat, half-stood and craned her neck looking around the room before sitting back down with wide-eyed innocence plainly displayed on her face. "She's not here. Missus Guthrie wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this. She, as she loves to remind everyone," Katie looked right at Ruth, "is old money."
Nick really couldn't argue with the content of her words, but still-
It was like Katie heard his thoughts.
"I know, Dad." She turned back to face the table, hooking her arm through Ruth's. "It's not nice, but ohhh, she gets on my last nerve and starts Riverdancing on it! She better be nice to Miss Baker or I'm... or I'm..."
Nick prepared for the worst, preparing for Hurricane Katie to make landfall.
