When they pulled up to a pump, they all gave a cheer, then laughed.
The sorrow she’d harbored the entire trip eased off.Funny, how something so trivial and silly can ignite tiny bursts of happiness in me. The true test would come Saturday during Wyatt’s wedding. She feared being inundated with memories of her own wedding to Mike, but not attending wasn’t an option.
No matter how difficult, she’d be there with a smiling face. She owed nothing less to her dear friend.
“How are you holding up?” Jared asked while Evan filled the tank.
“All right.”
Jared squinted, as though examining her answer for truth. “I don’t believe you, but tell us if it’s too much.”
“I’ll be fine, promise.” She sucked in a long breath. “It’s my only choice.”
Before Jared could comment further, Evan slipped back in the driver’s seat and leaned down to rub his ankle.
Janie glanced back at Jared, who shook his head, warning her not to say anything.
A man has his pride. That’s what Jared told her when they first started planning the trip north for Wyatt’s wedding. She hadn’t wanted Evan to drive the duration, thought it would be too hard on his leg.He needs to do this, Jared had explained.
She understood. Evan had been fortunate not to lose his leg in the crash but had a permanent limp as a result. Forced into medical retirement had made him feel like less a man. He hadn’t said so, but Janie saw it in his eyes—heard it in his voice.
Making the drive from North Carolina to Pennsylvania offered him a measure of self-respect, gave him a victory over his body. Most people wouldn’t see it as such, but for Evan, it was something he had to do, and Janie wouldn’t interfere.
A log cabin sat a quarter mile down the road, flanked by tall pines. The gravel parking lot had fifteen cars in it, a solid number considering the small space. Four steps led to a wide porch, and a long ramp to the side offered handicap access. A lit-up sign identified the building as the “Log Cabin Restaurant.”
“That’s an original name.” A sarcastic smirk flitted over Jared’s mouth.
“It’s cute and homey. I like it.” Nostalgia clawed her emotions. She and Mike had eaten at a similar place on their honeymoon.
Evan tucked his keys in his pocket and put a hand to the door. “If the food’s good, that’s all I care about.”
Janie got out of the car and let the guys walk ahead several paces. She needed a moment to collect herself after the fresh attack of memories.
“Coming?” Evan called over his shoulder.
“Be right there. Have a pebble in my shoe.” At least she hadn’t lied. She removed the ballet-slipper style shoe from her right foot and dumped the small stone.
Walking behind her friends, she saw Evan’s pronounced limp. She hadn’t seen it that bad in months. He struggled with the steps, his clenched jaw the only sign of pain and frustration—no one who didn’t know him would realize the effort it took him. Why didn’t he swallow his pride and take the handicap ramp?Stubborn man.
Jared reached the door first and held the door open until they had each entered the restaurant.
A woman wearing a yellow gingham shirt and denim skirt greeted them. “Have a seat anywhere. Dottie will be with you shortly.”
Only three tables were free, and Janie walked toward the booth by a window. She sat on one side while Jared and Evan sat next to each other on the opposite. They gave her space, made sure not to create an awkward situation for her in which someone would think either of them were her boyfriend.
Evan inhaled. “Smells good in here.”
“Yeah, it does.” Jared relaxed in the chair. “If the food is as good as it smells, we’re in luck.”
The aroma of sweet, slow-simmered barbecue sauce enticed her appetite—a rare feat these days.
Dottie, a middle-aged woman with a contagious smile, approached the table and distributed menus. She returned after a few minutes with their drinks and took their orders.
“Where are you all from?” Dottie asked after bringing their food. “Not from around here, I can tell by your accents, but you each have different ones.”
“Traveling from North Carolina where we’re stationed. Wyoming is home for me.” Jared added an exaggerated twang to his second statement.
“A cowboy, huh?” Dottie winked. “Married me one of them twenty years ago.”
