You guys alright if we just keep going then? We’re almost to Butte.
That’s fine. Sierra and I are right behind you, but we might still stop somewhere
It was about an hour past noon, and Sierra’s stomach had rumbled a few times between Bozeman and where we currently were. I was starting to get a bit hungry myself, and I didn’t want to wait much longer to eat.
Mikey
We’ll see you all in Pendleton, then I suppose.
Ellison
Drive safe. Send us updates plz!
“Guess we’re not meeting up in Missoula anymore. Jake and Mikey got a flat outside of Livingston, so they had to stop. Colter, Reid, and Ellison are ahead of us, but they said they were just going to keep going,” I explained, putting my phone back in the center console.
“What’s our plan then?” she asked as her stomach growled. “Can we still stop?”
A chuckle rumbled low in my chest as I said, “Yeah, Skip, we can stop. I’m getting hungry, too.”
About thirty minutes later, I pulled off the interstate into the parking lot of a small mom-and-pop diner. The building itself was small, with a red roof and a big, farmhouse-style sign that readMa’s Roadside Diner. A vintage flatbed truck sat out front, its dark teal body completely spotless and free from rust.
“What do you think?” I looked at Sierra for her approval.
She nodded, pressing her lips together in a pout like she was thinking. “Looks cute. Kind of reminds me of Ranger’s. Let’s do it.”
I killed the ignition, and we made our way to the front entrance. Bells jingled as we stepped inside, signaling our arrival. A sign instructing us to seat ourselves was placed near the hostess stand, and a big dining room with a variety of tables greeted us.
We found a table for two near a window and sat down. Not too long after, a waitress with silver hair, round glasses,and a gingham apron strode up to our table with menus and two glasses of water.
“Welcome to Ma’s! I’m Shellie, and I’ll be helping you out today. Take your time to look at the menu, and I’ll be right back to get some drink orders.”
“Thank you very much, Shellie.” I offered her a genuine smile before picking up my menu. “What have we got here?”
It was your classic American diner menu, with sandwiches, burgers, and an all-day breakfast.
“Look, they’ve got Elvis pancakes on the menu.” I pointed out the breakfast item to Sierra. The pancakes had peanut butter, bananas, and bacon, just like Elvis Presley’s favorite sandwich.
She tilted her head. “You know I can’t pass up some good peanut butter pancakes, but the turkey bacon club looks really good, too. I’m guessing you’re going to have the mushroom Swiss burger?”
She had me there. Like I’d told her a few weeks ago, old habits died hard. And I was nothing if not a man of habit. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
“Are you two ready to get some drinks in?” Shellie popped back around to our table after helping the few other groups in the dining room. The place wasn’t too busy for one thirty in the afternoon.
“I’ll do a Coke,” Sierra told her.
“Make that two.” I gestured with my hands. “I think we’re also ready to order, right?” I glanced at Sierra for approval, and she nodded.
“Sounds good! Are you wanting to put any appetizers in? Also, our special today is a steak sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy.” Shellie looked at me, but I pointed to Sierra to let her order first.
“I don’t think we’re going to do an appetizer, so I’ll just have an order of the Elvis pancakes.” Her eyes flicked up to mine, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
“And for you, darling?”
“I’ll do the mushroom Swiss burger, please. With french fries.” I handed Shellie both our menus as she scribbled down our orders on a notepad.
“I’ll put those orders in and be right back with those sodas for you.”
“Thank you so much.” I dipped my chin in acknowledgment. Resting my forearms on the table, I leaned forward slightly. “So…”
