“It’ll be a few minutes, hon.”
“Connie.” Aftyn set down her coffee cup. “I’d like to apply for the job.”
Connie tilted her head. “You don’t even know what the position is.”
“I don’t care what it is. I need work. I should tell you upfront though, I won’t be staying permanently. My car broke down and the mechanic may have to replace the motor. Once I can pay him I’ll be moving on.”
“Hon, I’d love to help you, but I don’t want to hire someone just to go through it all again. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. I will be here a while though. Between the parts and the labor, we’re talking over a thousand dollars, and I don’t have it. I have a hundred dollars to my name.”
Connie’s voice dropped. “No money at all?”
“I lost my job.” Aftyn shook her head. “I’m a surgical nurse, but I didn’t want to take a position at a hospital and leave the minute my car was fixed. That’s not fair to them. I thought something temporary made more sense.” She looked down. “I know that’s not ideal for you either.”
“Have you ever waited tables?”
“It was my first job.”
Connie straightened and smiled. “Alright. You’re hired.” Then the smile faded slightly. “Where are you staying?”
Aftyn’s throat tightened. “I don’t know yet.”
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“I want you to meet my husband.”
Aftyn slid off the stool and followed Connie around the end of the counter and through saloon style doors. A broad-shouldered man stood at the deep fryer but turned when they walked in.
“Owen, this is Aftyn. Aftyn, my husband Owen. Best cook in Montana.”
Owen wiped his hands on his apron and reached out to shake hers. “Nice to meet you, Aftyn.”
“You too, Owen.”
“She’s going to be our new server,” Connie said.
Owen smiled warmly. “Welcome to the diner, honey.”
Aftyn looked at Connie. “When can I start?”
“Do you have clothes in your car?”
“Yes, but I don’t have anywhere to stay yet.”
“Yes, you do.” Connie lifted a key ring from a hook by the door. “Come on.”
Aftyn frowned but followed her out the back. Connie pulled the door almost shut and called back to Owen to let them in when they knocked, then turned to Aftyn.
“This is just a service entrance for deliveries. You can get out but not back in without someone opening it for you.”
“Okay. Where are we going exactly?”
Connie winked and nodded toward the metal staircase.
Aftyn looked up the stairs, then back at her. “Up there?”
