Chapter 23
“Is everything okay?” Amy asked when she saw Charity laying on the couch Monday afternoon.
Charity was never home when Amy dropped off and picked up Kallie. She was always at the diner, so it surprised Amy to see her here today.
“I’m fine.”
“No, she’s not,” Faith said. “She had a dizzy spell and almost passed out. The cook called me, and I made Robert bring her home.”
“You’re so bossy,” Charity grumbled, trying to sit up.
“I am not. Now, stay down.” Faith pushed against Charity’s shoulder, preventing her from sitting up, and wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her arm.
“You took my blood pressure for the hundredth time two minutes ago.”
“Well, it’s still a little high.”
“It wouldn’t be high if you’d let me go check on the diner.”
“The diner is fine. Susan is the evening, head waitress for a reason. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of everything. You’re working too hard.”
Amy bit back a smile.Is this what it’s like to fight with a sister?As annoyed as Charity acted, it must be nice to have someone care about you like Faith did.
Amy sat in the chair opposite Charity. “Do you need help at the diner?” She’d been in Providence for six weeks already and she was uncertain what would happen with her job. Robert hadn’t said anything about Janice’s maternity leave ending soon, but Amy knew she should search for another job, just in case. She had no desire to leave this beautiful small town.
“Yes!” Faith said.
“I suppose I could always use more help.” Charity nodded. “Especially in the afternoons. That’s when I do most of the baking. I have a couple waitresses for the mornings, and a head waitress for the evenings along with a couple teenage girls. And I have plenty of teenage girls for the weekends, but I probably ought to hire someone else to help in the afternoons.”
Faith eyed Amy, a spark in her eyes. “Didn’t you used to wait tables, Amy?”
“I did, and I may be looking for a job soon. I’m not sure when Janice will return from her maternity leave.”
“Oh, this is perfect.” Faith clapped her hands.
Yes, almost too perfect.Amy stared at Faith. If she didn’t know better, she’d have accused her of orchestrating Charity’s dizzy spell. Had Robert told Faith Amy would need to find another job soon?
“Would you like to come work at the diner, Amy?” Charity asked. “It would be a combination of waiting tables and baking.”
The idea of being in the kitchen of a restaurant again appealed to Amy. It would be a step in the right direction to getting her life back on track. Maybe, Charity would be willing to share her recipes and secrets with Amy.
“I’d love to, but I’m not sure yet what will happen at the sheriff’s office. I’ll talk to Robert and let you know how soon I can start.”
* * *
“Someone is hereto see you, dear.” Hope’s brow furrowed as she leaned against Amy’s bedroom door.
Amy sat on her bed memorizing the menu from the diner. She’d talked to Robert earlier this week, and he followed up with Janice, who only wanted to work half days until her baby slept through the night better. Starting Monday, Amy would work mornings at the sheriff’s office and afternoons at the diner. She looked forward to the hustle and bustle of waitressing—somewhere other than a bar—and the opportunity to get to know more people. The sheriff’s office was not a place where people came to socialize.
“Who is it?”
Hope grimaced. “Lance.”
Amy frowned. “How did he find me?” And what did he want?
Money.But was that all?
“Should I call Robert?”
