Ice led her right to the entrance, and she went inside.
“Hello, can I help you?” the hostess asked.
“I hoped to catch Ty. Do you know if he’s in the kitchen?”
“He’s in his office. May I direct you to a seat, and I’ll get him?” she asked.
“Sure.”
Maneuvering around the tables with her bag, Ice, and cane proved more difficult than she thought. When they finally made it to a booth, she sighed in relief as Ice went under the table.
“Scarlett,” Ty greeted her and ordered two of his house drinks. “I see you brought your friend.”
“They said I can bring him in here by law, but does it bother you?” she whispered, not wanting Candy to hear.
“Ice will always be welcome here,” he said firmly. “What’s this? You decided you liked Miss Edie’s pecan pie better than my desserts, and you brought your own?”
She grinned. “Miss Edie made it for me. Ice and I will be moving to a cabin after this weekend. I hope I didn’t offend you by bringing it in here. I stopped in to say hello, and she surprised me. Candy wants me to practice going into places.”
“I’m not offended. I enjoy Miss Edie’s pie better than my own. She refuses to give me the recipe because it’s staying in the family. Bryanna, her daughter-in-law, owns the bakery, and Edie taught her how to make them. Edie says I can’t be the only one with good food in town. Someone has to keep me on my toes.”
“If you don’t consider it rude, we can break this baby open and have a slice now,” she suggested.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Ty said, waving a waiter over and asking for two forks, a knife, and two plates. He leaned over and whispered, “Shall we invite Candy over for a slice? She’s figured us out and is sending me a scowl.”
“She told me to consider her invisible,” Scarlett murmured, loud enough for Candy to hear. “She said to raise my hand if I’m in trouble. Does having extra pie constitute a problem?”
“It sure does,” Candy said, standing beside her. “Move over. Sledge warned usyou were sassy.”
The trio laughed as Ty cut the pie and served it. His hand brushed against hers, and Scarlett felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Did he like her, too, or did he feel sorry for the poor blind woman?
CHAPTER 17
Scarlett decidedto stop by the grocery store before returning to her room. She went down the aisles, and this time, Candy described the layout to her.
“If you come in alone. Go to the cashier, and they’ll have a bagger help you shop. You can put your cane in the seat and push the cart or ask the bagger, whichever feels comfortable. Most stores are happy to assist you.”
They went down the third aisle when she smelled Jeremy Stewart's distinctive cologne.
“This place has gone to hell,” he muttered. “Now we’re letting mutts in the store where people shop for food.”
Scarlett felt her face flush from embarrassment and proceeded to ignore him as she walked by.
“He’s not even a real service dog. You didn’t have him at the community center,” he yelled down the aisle. She heard his cart rolling her way and Candy’s hand touched her shoulder. “Remember your rights.”
“You may be a patient from the hospital, but you’re not welcome in our store,” Jeremy said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Scarlett stopped. Sure, this wouldn’t be her only test. “Do you own the store, Mr. Stewart?”
“No. But I’ve shopped here for twenty years, and a dog has no place inside a business,” he argued.
“He has every right. It’s the law,” she said firmly. “Please move out of my way and let me finish my shopping.”
“Law my foot. You think because you came from the fancy hospital on the mountain, you can rule over the rest of us and make your own. We don’t want you here,” he said vehemently. “If you need help, I’ll boot you and your dog right out of here.”
“Mr. Stewart, if you harm my dog, it’s considered a federal offense. I will not hesitate to press charges.” Scarlett held her ground.
“Hi, Scarlett,” a man greeted her. “You haven’t met me yet. I’m Saint, Bryanna’s husband. Kassie told us you and Ice were gallivanting around town. He’s a beauty and smart too. I met him when Allie brought him for training. It’s nice to see you, Candy. Mr. Stewart. I hope I didn’t interrupt your conversation. Nugget, my daughter, needed some construction paper for her art project, so I thought to introduce myself.”
