“Well?”Joesph said, leaning on Jamie’s workbench.
“I got everything set up outside.How much longer?”Mike asked, looking at his watch.
“Just need to scramble the eggs.I’ve got everything else done.”Jamie looked at Joesph.“Why don’t you be useful and get the ketchup and salt and pepper?”
“Not until you tell.”Joesph stood up, mug in hand.
“Tell?”Mike asked as he came to stand by Jamie.
Joesph tilted his head and cocked one eyebrow.“Thenews, of course.”
Mike smiled broadly.“Oh, yeah.”He kissed Jamie’s cheek, then looked at Salzy.“We’re engaged.”
“Do what?”Salzy looked like he was ready to jump up and down.“Really?”He rushed to Jamie and hugged him.“Congrats, bro!”He squeezed Jamie again.“I’m happy for you.”
“Good morning, everyone,” Florence said as she came through the back door.“It’s so nice to be home.Now, don’t go thinking I didn’t have a good time, but almost a month away from home is...a little bit much.”She looked at Salzy, still hugging Jamie, Mike grinning like a fool, and a very smug look on Joesph’s face.“Okay, what did I just step into?”
“Morning.”Walter came in and stood next to Florence.“Is there something going on?”
“Yes, but they’ve not said anything yet,” Florence answered, her focus on Jamie.
Dexter was the next to arrive, greeting everyone, and then Minnie, Timmy, and Hazel came in.
Florence put her hands on her hips.“Spit it out.What in tarnation is going on?”
Mike pushed Salzy off Jamie, scowling at him.He took Jamie’s hand.“We’re engaged,” Mike stated.
Walter started to grin and nodded.Dexter also smiled.Minnie and Timmy stood there looking shocked, and Hazel rushed toward the pair.
Hazel hugged both of them and kissed Jamie’s cheek.“I’m so happy for you.”
“I hate to be the killjoy, but can we eat?I need to get a move on,” Mike asked, then hugged Jamie a little closer.
“Sure thing,” Jamie said as he put the finished scrambled eggs into a bowl.“Everything else is already on plates, in the oven, and the biscuits are in the warmer.You can each take something out.”He looked at the rest of the staff.“You’re welcome to join us, but Walter, you’ll have to cook y’all some more eggs.I didn’t make enough for all of you.”
Walter quickly strode over to Mike and Jamie, his hand extended towards Mike.“Congratulations, guys.I’m glad to see Jamie settled.”He hugged Jamie.“Now, if you’ll get out of the way, I’ll get to making us some breakfast.”
That seemed to break the spell on Florence.“Oh my God!”she screeched and rushed at Mike and Jamie.“Thank the Lord.”She kissed Jamie, leaving lipstick on his cheek, and then the same to Mike, after she pulled his ear down so she could reach his cheek.“This is a great day.”
After each of them had a turn at congratulating the happy couple, they let them go out to eat their breakfast.“I hope it’s not all cold,” Jamie grumbled.
“It’s fine,” Mike said as he wolfed down the food.“Damn, I’d forgotten how good your biscuits and gravy are.”
“Me too,” Salzy said, his mouth full.
“May I be allowed to ask, when are we to have apple pie and ice cream?”Joesph asked before chomping down on a piece of crisp bacon.
“For heaven's sake, can you at least give me a chance to get everything set up.Besides, Christine will be coming in this afternoon to get some things started.”Jamie shoved a fork of egg into his mouth.
“Okay,” Joesph said.“I will try and be patient.”
A few minutes later, the rest of the staff started coming out, carrying plates of food.
“I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got to go.”Mike stood up, plate, napkin, and cutlery in his hand.
“Just leave that,” Jamie said, nodding toward all the stuff Mike was holding.“I’ll get it.”
“Sure,” Mike replied, setting the stuff down.“I really am in a hurry.”He bent down and kissed Jamie.“I’ll see you later.”He kissed Jamie again, this one lasting a little longer.He stood up and pulled his keys out of his pocket.“Have a good day, everyone.”And then he was gone.
