“Hey, you two. Out for a late lunch?” June asked, her eyes sparkling.
Millie looked around the partially full diner. Apparently, tourists had descended on the town early. “Yes. We’d like to order a couple of burgers to go.”
“Sure thing.” June had her bright red hair up in a high ponytail, and splotches of chocolate marred her faded yellow uniform. “I’ll be right back. Let me put in the order.”
“Thanks,” Millie said gratefully, jolting as somebody tugged on her pants leg. She looked down to see Verna’s son Lake pulling at her. “Hey there, buddy.” She reached down and hefted the four-year-old against her side. “What are you up to?”
He smiled with chocolate smeared all around his mouth. He looked like his daddy but had Verna’s pretty eyes. Millie glanced around to see the couple finishing tacos in a booth. She walked over, holding the snuggle-bunny. “I found something of yours.”
The kid chortled and reached for his dad.
“Hey,” Alex said, his eyes somber as he captured his son with one arm. A black cast covered his other arm. “Sorry about all the problems you’ve had lately.”
“Thanks.” Millie had attended high school with Alex, and he’d always been one of her favorite people. He stood to about six foot two with dark hair and light blue eyes. He and Verna had dated in high school and married soon after graduation. “What happened to your arm?”
“Broke it at work.” Alex pressed a kiss to his son’s head.
That sucked. “Where’s Frankie?” Millie asked.
“He’s in school.” Verna patted her baby bump. Stress lines fanned out from her eyes, and she winced, pressing a hand to her side.
“Are you okay?” Millie asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just having some cramps,” she said, looking at her husband. “We’ll be just fine.”
Alex cuddled the toddler close. “The place is busy.” He glanced at Millie. “How’s your aunt Mae doing?”
How kind of him to ask. “She’s good,” Millie said. Her mind clicked facts and possibilities into slots as she sought a solution to their problems. “You know, Alex, I just thought of something. Do you have any extra time this weekend?”
“Time?” Alex grinned and looked down at his cast. “I have a lot of time. I got laid off at the store.”
She reared back. “You did?”
“Yeah, but hopefully workman’s comp is going to come in soon.” He took a deep breath, his face pale. Did his arm still hurt?
“I don’t want to ask you to do anything—” Millie started.
“No, really,” he said quickly. “I’m free this weekend.”
Verna leaned forward. “We’ve been brainstorming how to make extra money during the Derby. Do you need help?”
“We do. We need help with a couple of fishing charters. It’s getting harder for Aunt Mae to be out on the river guiding. While I could guide, I’m kind of a distraction right now. What do you think about taking the charters for me?”
Scott approached on her right with colorful boxes containing the fragrant smelling burgers.
“I think it’d be great,” Alex said quickly. “I could use the money and I’ve missed fishing this last year. We’ve been too busy to hit the river.”
“It would be wonderful,” Verna said, leaning over and patting Millie’s hand. “Valerie can help me with the kids. They adore her, and it’s not like she has anything else going on.”
Thank goodness. “You’d be helping me a lot.” She’d had no idea that Alex had been laid off. With two kids and Verna not working at the bar, surely they needed the money right now. “I really appreciate it.”
“Excellent,” Alex said. “When do you need me?”
She thought through what she had read in the schedule. “Actually, tomorrow first thing, if that works for you.”
“You bet it does.” He tickled his son, and the boy giggled.
Millie quickly introduced Scott, then said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
