So many fond memories of working here. Not to mention some milestones in our lives.
Jamie’s first date with Isabella, his late first wife, was at Grannie’s.
Jack met Meg at Grannie’s.
Doug asked Beth out for the first time at Grannie’s.
And while I didn’t know the complete story, apparently Nathan and Ashley reconnected here.
The kitschy saloon decor, the scent of coffee, and the sounds of milk steaming felt like home.
Grannie’s had been in the family since my great-grandmother opened the doors. Mom hoped to pass ownership to a Sheppardor Winchester, her side of the family, when she retired, but so far, no one has been interested.
“I’ve missed this place.” I didn’t realize I’d said it aloud until Beth answered.
“It’s missed you.”
“Thanks.” I lifted my mug in appreciation. “Will you be at Craft and Booze tonight?”
The first sip of coffee tasted like heaven and warmed my tired soul.
“I will. Doug’s dropping me off then taking Chase for a guy’s night out.”
“Pizza and ...” Usually guys night meant pizza and beer and maybe video games, but Chase hadn’t turned eight yet.
“Video games.” Beth laughed. “Chase got a new racing game that he’s dying to play.”
Beth had a second chance at her happily ever after when she fell in love with Doug Sharpe, one of my dad’s employees. He was nine years younger, but from what my brothers said, Doug was an old soul and a perfect fit for Beth.
And a great dad to Chase, who’d never met his real father. Not because of nefarious reasons; Chase’s father was a Parker County cop, and he’d died in the line of duty before Chase was born.
“Fun. See you tonight.”
I rolled down the windows in my Jeep and sang along to the country song on the radio as I drove to the clinic. When Dr. Carol Greenfield asked me to take over Saturday hours, I was thrilled. It was the only day she didn’t see patients, and it showed she trusted me.
I parked in my usual spot, next to Alice’s reserved space.
The clinic was in an old, renovated house, and Carol had converted the one-car garage to storage. The first floor had been gutted and remodeled to function as a doctor’s office, with areception area, a public bathroom, and three exam rooms. Two of the upstairs bedrooms served as offices, and we used the third, the master with ensuite, as our breakroom.
I locked the front door behind me. We didn’t open for another forty-five minutes, and I didn’t want anyone coming in early.
The pale blue and green reception room looked clean and inviting, so I didn’t need to do anything there.
After taking my purse to the office and my lunch to the breakroom, I started the computer.
“Morning, Madi.”
“Morning, Alice.”
“I brought coffee.”
I laughed and lifted our cups so she could see them. “So did I.”
“Great minds think alike,” she said with a welcoming smile. Alice was the dream assistant. Her toothy smile was always genuine, and she had a way with temperamental patients that made our job easier. “You doing my job again?”
“Just starting the computer.” It was old and desperately needed an upgrade.
I should ask Carol if she’d mind if I asked Doug to help us replace it.
