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  She laughed. “You are so bad.”

  “Damn right I am. And don’t ever forget it.” But he was smiling and didn’t look quite as threatening as he sounded. “I’ll take you and pick you up,” he added. “We’ve got a busy week ahead of us. I don’t trust you on that bicycle.” He released her hand, and they both stood. “Are you going to walk me to the door,” Sam asked, “or should I find my own way out?”

  Annie laughed. The door was three feet from where they stood. “I’ll walk you,” she said. “I don’t want to have to wake my butler.”

  Once Sam reached the door, he kissed Annie again, this time so gently and tenderly that she felt her heart swell from the sweetness that was so unlike the passionate kisses earlier. He finally raised his head. “You know, I’m hoping that Darla will take over a lot of my responsibilities so I can start taking this certain young lady on a date once in a while. Of course, she’s going to have to give up all her young studs and settle for a broken down thirty-five-year-old.”

  Annie tossed him a saucy smile. “I’m partial to senior citizens.”

  “Now who’s being bad?” Sam said.

  Sam opened the door and heaved a sigh. “I would stay the night if I weren’t worried about your reputation. Be thankful you’ve got a gentleman on your hands.”

  Annie remembered the way they’d spent part of the evening. “You, sir, are no gentleman, and I, for one, am very glad of that fact.” She offered him a beguiling smile. “Good night, Sam,” she said softly.

  A minute later he was on the stairs, his footsteps growing softer as he descended and headed for his Jeep. Annie felt a sudden, inexplicable yearning to run after him, ask him to stay, but her feelings were all tangled and disjointed. Was she just being hopeful that her father would stay away? Was she being unfair to Sam by encouraging him? When it came right down to it, there was no way to predict her future because she had not dealt with her past. Instead she had run from it, leaving far too many loose ends.

  #

  Annie felt better when Sam picked her up the next morning and drove her to school. She had awakened feeling baffled over her dark mood the night before. She knew one reason had to do with the fact that Vera had not texted her back on Darla’s cell phone or bothered to reach her through Lillian. Annie was not only concerned for the woman, she wanted to ask Vera to mail her wallet. She could only go so long without some kind of ID and her driver’s license.

  “You’re awfully quiet this morning,” Sam said.

  “Oh, sorry,” she said, trying to sound upbeat. “I think we’re having a quiz in my accounting class today, and I’m not as prepared as I’d like to be.”

  “Uh-oh,” Sam said. “That’s my bad for keeping you from your studies.”

  “I was a pretty willing accomplice,” she said, offering him a smile.

  He parked at the front door of the school. “You’ll do fine, Babe,” he said. “Just go in there and show ‘em what you’re made of. I’ll pick you up at noon.”

  “Make that eleven,” Annie said. “I’m going to ask to be excused early because of the festival. I don’t think it will be a problem.” She gave him a quick kiss, climbed from the Jeep and hurried inside. She spied Nelson in the hallway looking through a folder. He smiled when he saw her. “That was some bash, huh?” he said, approaching her.

  “You do a mean bump-and-grind routine, my friend,” she said. “Thank you for making the party such a huge success.”

  “Hey, I’ll dance for you anytime, pretty lady. Perhaps you’d like a private performance. Say next weekend, after I take you to dinner? Of course, I would encourage you not to mention our plans to your uncle.”

  Annie laughed. “I’m too old for you, Nelson. And experienced,” she added with a grin. “You need to find some sweet young thing.”

  “I like dating older women,” he replied. “I don’t have to walk very far to the front door of Walmart because they usually have handicap passes hanging from their rearview mirror.”

  An amused Annie tried to give him her most menacing look. “I should smack you for that comment.”

  He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and fished out several business cards. “Don’t forget to mention my name to all your friends,” he said. “Even the ones in nursing homes,” he added.

  “Very funny,” she said with a smile. “You better keep your stripper job.”

  He stuffed his wallet back in his pocket. “I’ll race you to class.”

  Annie shook her head sadly. “You are such a child.”

  #

  Sam was waiting for Annie when she exited the school at 11:00. She got in the Jeep and put her books on the back seat. She had since purchased a book bag strictly for her uniform, apron, and shoes. She had discovered that, by rolling her uniform with tissue paper it kept most of the wrinkles at bay.

  “Guess what? I aced the quiz!” she said.

  “I knew it!” Sam said. He raised his hand. “High five.”

  Annie reciprocated.

  “We have to hurry,” Sam said. “The lunch crowd has already started coming in. If the breakfast crowd is any indication, we are going to be packed for lunch and dinner. I’ve already told Darla I want you girls to rest as much as you can between shifts. You’ll like the busboy, Wayne,” he added. “He’s a hard worker.”

  They arrived at the restaurant in record time. The parking lot was almost half full. Annie quickly climbed from the Jeep, raced through the back door, and headed straight for the ladies room. Five minutes later she stepped out wearing her uniform and took her first order of the day. In the next booth, the busboy, Wayne, who looked to be in his mid-to-late fifties, was clearing dishes and wiping everything down. He gave her a quick smile and went back to work.

  Annie was making fresh coffee and Darla was taking an order at the front counter when a customer inquired about the crowd.

  “It’s our annual Okra Festival,” Darla said, “just something we do to get folks to visit our little town. There’ll be a parade to kick things off, but the crafters and food vendors are already set up on the courthouse lawn. Unfortunately, we stay so busy that we don’t have time to enjoy it. Except for next Sunday,” she added with a smile. “The owner is closing for the day because I’m getting married.” Darla turned and smiled at Annie who had started to fret the minute Darla mentioned the wedding.

  “What’s wrong, hon?” she asked.

  Annie forced a smile. “Just trying to keep up with this crowd,” she said and hurried away. She wasn’t about to tell Darla she still didn’t have a dress for the wedding. She planned to go to the secondhand store the next morning since she didn’t have classes. She just hoped she could find something.

  The crowd thinned, and by two o’clock the place was quiet except for a few stragglers and those stopping by for pie and coffee. Wayne finally introduced himself to Annie. He was completely gray, his face weathered, but he looked to be in excellent shape.

  “You work fast,” she said.

  “He sure does,” Darla said. “We’re going to nickname him Greased Lightning.”

  “I’m a retired Marine,” he said proudly. “I was trained to work hard.”

  “I have a particular fondness for Marines,” Darla said, using the accent that often won sizeable tips from her gentleman customers. It was thick and slow as molasses. Annie tried to keep a straight face. “You are new in town, aren’t you?” Darla said. “I never forget a handsome face.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “I just moved here to be close to my son and his family.”

  “Are you married?” Darla asked.

  “My wife passed on a year ago,” he said, “after almost thirty years of marriage.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Annie said.

  “Me, too,” Darla echoed, “but I know a lot of women in this town who would be pleased as punch to meet you, including myself if I weren’t already spoken for. Do you like country music?”

  A scowling Sam walked over and regarded Darla. �
��Are you finished interrogating the poor man,” he asked.

  Darla’s hand flew to her chest as though shaken by his rudeness. “I’m just being friendly,” she replied. “Since when did that become against the law?”

  “Well, if you can take a break from socializing, I need for you to hold down the fort while I run a couple of errands.”

  “But of course, Sam,” she said sweetly. “Are you going by the dry cleaners to pick up Mr. Okra?”

  “Very funny, Darla,” he said and disappeared through the kitchen door without another word.

  Annie realized her mouth was open. She closed it. “What was all that about?”

  Darla chuckled. “You know, you couldn’t find a man with a better disposition, not to mention one who is honest and fair and gets along with everyone. But once a year, when the Okra Festival comes around, he is miserable to be around on account he and all the other business owners have to wear an okra suit in the parade.”

  “Okra suit?” Annie asked.

  “Yes, and it looks just like an okra. It’s quite humiliating, but the tourists love it.”

  “They all look stupid if you ask me,” Flo shouted through the food-order window.

  Annie laughed. “I am looking forward to it.”

  #

  The customers started coming in at five, and before long, Annie was in a mad race to keep up, despite the extra help. Sam had returned, and, although he wasn’t frowning, Annie could tell he was not in the best of moods. Plus, she’d dropped four water glasses, and Sam had to clean up the mess because Wayne was busing a large booth. She was standing by the food window, loading her tray when Sam walked by.

  “Do you need anything?” he asked.

  “Yes!” she said, a bit winded. “Tables seven and nine need coffee and tea refills,” she said, “and—” She paused and reached into her short apron for her ticket pad and tore off three. “I need you to total these for me. The customers are waiting for their checks.”

  “Okay. Once I add these up I’ll deliver them to your customers if you like, then start beverage refills.”

  “That would be great.” Annie hurried away with her tray.

  The restaurant started clearing out at nine. At nine-thirty, Sam put up the closed sign. Annie and Darla had very little side work to do thanks to Wayne. Flo and Patricia, along with Patricia’s daughter, had been ecstatic when they’d clocked out, having benefitted from Wayne’s hard work as well.

  “You need to hire that man permanently,” Darla said, as she slipped on her sweater and fished inside her purse for her car keys.

  “You think?” Sam asked, finishing up his book work. He stood and stretched.

  “Darn right,” she said. “Talk about a morale boost. Flo and Patricia were in a good mood all night.” She looked at Annie. “You need a lift home?”

  “I’m sure Sam would appreciate you dropping me off since he has been playing taxi on my behalf.”

  Sam looked surprised. “It’s no trouble,” he said. “I’ll run you home.”

  Darla gave Annie a knowing smile as Sam got up and unlocked the front door. He walked Darla to her car as he had hundreds of times before to make certain she was safe.

  Twenty minutes later, Sam parked in front of Annie’s apartment. He pulled her into his arms the minute they stepped inside. After sharing a deep kiss, Annie pushed away. “I’m all grungy,” she said. “I think I’ll take a quick shower. Want to join me?” She started down the hall, and Sam followed, wearing a huge grin.

  Their lovemaking began beneath a spray of hot water. Sam washed Annie’s back, then, decided to give other areas special attention. Annie clung to him as waves of pleasure sent shivers of delight through her. They grabbed a towel and dried quickly before going into her bedroom for the second act.

  “Promise me one thing,” Sam said, as Annie snuggled against him.

  “Anything,” she said.

  “Promise you’ll still respect me after you see me dressed like a vegetable tomorrow.”

  Annie chuckled. “I think you will make a handsome fresh vegetable.

  #

  When Annie woke up the following morning, Sam was gone, but he’d left a note on her pillow, a simple thank-you inside a heart. She smiled as she remembered how they’d spent a portion of the night; and a brief shiver shook her. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt pure and simple joy.

  She glanced at the alarm clock. It was still early, but she had a lot to do before heading to work. She climbed from the bed and hurried toward the bathroom for a hot shower.

  #

  Annie arrived at Second Time Around shortly after it opened. Elaine, the owner, had her stand before a triple mirror as she held each of the three dresses she had been holding for Annie.

  “What do you think?” Elaine said as they cocked their heads to one side and then the other.

  “The mint green crepe,” Annie said.

  “Excellent choice!” Elaine said. “That’s the one I was rooting for. It also has matching four-inch heels.”

  “Size seven, right?” Annie said.

  “Yes. Lillian made certain I had your shoe size as well.”

  “Okay, then,” Annie said. “I’ll try it on.”

  Annie left the store twenty minutes later, relieved that she finally had a dress. When Elaine mentioned, in a confidential whisper, that Mrs. Lillian Calhoun was dropping by later to look at a bona fide Donna Karan original, Annie asked the woman to send her dress home with Lillian. Annie was not going to risk taking the outfit back in the bike’s basket, especially after shelling out seventy-five dollars for it. In her previous life that would have amounted to pennies, actually, less than pennies, but Annie was now a small-town waitress living on a budget.

  #

  Sam arrived at Annie’s shortly before eleven. She hurried down the stairs so he wouldn’t have to come up. “You may as well get ready for a long day,” he said once she climbed into the jeep. “The breakfast crowd kept us running for three straight hours. Thank goodness for Wayne or we never would have pulled through.” He started backing from the driveway.

  “The sidewalks are filled with people, and the streets around the courthouse are roped off to accommodate thousands more. This is the biggest festival we’ve ever had. Plus, they let the kids out of school early.”

  “I suppose everyone is excited about the parade.”

  Sam stepped on the brake and looked at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Huh?” Annie looked at him. “It means people love parades,” she said.

  Sam frowned. “I hate parades.”

  Annie laughed. “No you don’t.”

  He gave a huge sigh. “Never mind,” he replied.

  The lunch shift was busier than the previous day, and it was all Annie could do to keep up, even with Darla taking on extra tables and Wayne and Sam assisting. At two-thirty, Sam excused himself and headed toward the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later in his green okra outfit which resembled a jumpsuit with a zipper that ran from his neck, almost to his crotch. He was minus the head section which he held in his right hand.

  Annie quickly looked away and found Darla grinning at the sight of Sam. She put two fingers in her mouth and blasted an ear-splitting wolf whistle that startled several customers and woke a baby who howled in protest.

  “I hate when she does that,” Sam hissed to Annie. “Every year, she does the same old thing.” He paused. “Annie, are you even listening to me?”

  Annie refused to look his way. “I’m getting iced tea for a table of eight,” she said. “I don’t have time to chat.”

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, fine.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she insisted.

  “Something’s wrong,” he said. “I can tell.”

  A giggle escaped her. “Sam, please don’t bother me right now.”

  “Oh, I get it. It’s this outfit, right? Am I right?” he said
when she didn’t answer. “Is that why you won’t look at me?”

  Laughter bubbled up from her throat. “Go away, Sam,” she ordered. “I can’t work with you here.”

  “It’s not that funny.”

  “Yes, it is. Trust me.”

  “I have to go,” he said, sounding hurt. “The parade starts in fifteen minutes, and I have to take my place next to the other pathetic looking okras. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Okay.”

  “Annie?”

  She tried to look serious. “Yes, Sam?”

  “I wish I could kiss you right here,” he said.

  “Please don’t. There’s a truck driver in the second booth who just proposed marriage. If he thinks I’m hot for Okra Man, he might lose interest.”

  “That’s not funny,” Sam said and hurried away.

  Most of the customers had cleared out in time for the parade, and those who remained watched from their seats next to the window. The parade began with a marching band, each member wearing the same green as the okra outfits. It stopped right in front of the restaurant playing, When the Saints Go Marching In. Annie, Darla, and Wayne sat on stools at the counter trying to eat lunch and watch the parade.

  Flo and Patricia craned their heads from the food window, both appearing frustrated that they could not see what was going on. A moment later, they came through the swinging doors, having dispensed of their white aprons. They watched from the front door and fell into a fit of laughter when a dozen men marched by in okra outfits. Flo laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes. She had to sit in a booth to recover.

  Once the parade moved past the restaurant, Darla and Annie refilled the sugar canisters and condiments, and wiped the vinyl menus with vinegar water. With Wayne’s assistance, they got the place ready for the dinner crowd in half the time it usually took. Annie made up salads in advance and stuck them into an oversized refrigerator while Darla refilled the pie case and made tea. Wayne cleaned every booth and table in the restaurant, swept the floor, and quickly ran a damp mop over it while Flo and Patricia, along with Patricia’s daughter, readied the kitchen.

  Once they finished their side jobs, Darla and Annie took a well-deserved break, but Wayne kept at it, polishing the stainless steel appliances until they shone like a new penny.