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  “Are you asking us or telling us?” a lanky youngster with curly hair asked.

  “I’m trying to come to a gentleman’s agreement,” Sam said smoothly. “My waitress has spent more time at this table than the others. I hope you’ll remember that when it comes time to tip her.”

  “What happened to your eye, man?” another youth asked.

  Sam placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. “One of my customers ticked me off. If you think I look bad, you should see him.”

  “Hey, we’re cool,” the curly-haired boy said, and the others nodded in agreement. “We’re almost ready to leave anyway.”

  Sam smiled. “I’m glad we could have this little chat.” He walked away.

  Annie was taking an order at a booth nearby and couldn’t help the small smile that lifted one corner of her mouth. Sam had taken up for her! Once the teenagers paid and left and she cleared the table, she saw six dollars in the center of the table.

  By the time the last customer straggled out, Annie had cleared the tables and wiped down the counter and stools. She offered Sam a cup of coffee, but he declined.

  “We need to talk,” he said in a cool tone.

  Something tightened in the pit of her stomach at the sound of his voice. He indicated a booth. “Have a seat.” When she hesitated, he added, “Please.”

  Sam sat directly across from her. He measured her with a cool, appraising look. “Don’t ever do that again,” he said.

  Annie studied him as well. She had already noted how good he looked in his navy sweater and khakis even with the shiner; up close she could see how the sweater set off his blue eyes. However, the two lines that ran across his brow told her he wasn’t too pleased with her at the moment. “Don’t ever do what?” she asked.

  “Complain to my other employees about something I’ve done.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I was bleeding, and I was upset. Flo wanted to know what was wrong.”

  “I make the rules here, Annie. I operate my businesses as I see fit. If you want to work here, you’ll respect that.”

  She hitched her chin up. “You had no right to threaten Darla’s job just because she’s sick.”

  The lines deepened. “Darla is not sick. She’s pouting so she can have her way. This is not the first time she’s pulled something like this. But I shouldn’t have to explain my reasons to you, now, should I?”

  “I’m not trying to be difficult to get along with,” she said, “but I’ve spent my entire life following someone else’s rules whether I thought they were fair or not. I’m not going to make that mistake again.”

  Sam noted the stubborn tilt of her chin, and despite being annoyed with her, he had to admire her for the way she was taking charge of her life. He clasped his hands together and leaned closer. “Okay, here’s the deal,” he said. “You have a problem, you come to me. I’ll be glad to discuss it, and I promise to be fair-minded. Agreed?”

  She nodded. “That certainly sounds reasonable.” Her eyes suddenly widened. “You mean I’ve got the job?”

  “For the time being. I can’t help but appreciate the fact that you came in at the last minute and all, and you didn’t do nearly as bad as I thought you would.”

  “Gee, Sam, was that supposed to be a compliment?”

  He ignored the comment. “I’ll need your Social Security number.”

  Annie scribbled it on a napkin and handed it to him. “How’s your eye?”

  “It hurts like hell. Why do you ask?”

  “I’ve never punched anybody like that. You and your cousin scared me half to death.”

  “I didn’t do anything. Buster acted alone.”

  “You could have said something. Instead, you let me make a complete fool out of myself.”

  Amusement flickered in his eyes. “I’m genuinely touched that you were willing to use your body as a shield to protect mine.”

  Annie’s spine went ramrod stiff when she realized he was making fun of her again. Her mouth took an unpleasant twist. “Perhaps I acted rashly,” she said in a grudging voice. “I probably should have grabbed Buster’s pistol and shot you myself.”

  He almost laughed, but he feared she’d throw the napkin holder at him. Instead, he stood and walked to the door. “I have to check my messages across the street,” he said. “Just in case somebody is looking for a good used car.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in time for the dinner rush. You’d better grab yourself something to eat while it’s quiet. And stay away from sharp objects,” he added, motioning toward her finger.

  With growing frustration, Annie watched him cross the street to his car lot. He even looked good from the back. He paused here and there to check on a car or wipe a smudge of dirt off a fender with the hem of his sweater; then, he unlocked the construction trailer that served as his office. She shook her head, wondering if they would ever be able to spend time together without locking horns.

  Annie went into the kitchen, where she found Flo reading the Pinckney Gazette and Patricia glancing through a catalog. She ordered a grilled-cheese sandwich, and they were quick to instruct her how to make it herself since they were taking a well-deserved break. She did so while peeking out front from time to time to make sure a customer hadn’t appeared.

  “You’ll know if someone comes in,” Flo said. “That bell over the door is loud enough so we can hear it in the kitchen.”

  Annie made her sandwich and pulled a stool up to the long metal table, where they sat. Flo shared her newspaper with her. They sat in companionable silence until Annie finished her lunch and returned to the front. Several people came in for coffee and pie. Annie used her spare time to straighten up beneath the counter and restock the condiments. She came across a fall schedule for the community college and leafed through it. Classes had already started, but late registration was permitted for an extra fee.

  Something stirred inside of her as she studied the courses offered in accounting, one thing she did happen to know something about. The classes began at eight a.m., she would have time to take a couple before she had to be at work, if she could get along with Sam Ballard well enough to keep her job.

  If only she had a car.

  Or even a bicycle, for that matter.

  The bell on the door jangled and Lillian Calhoun walked through the door. She gave Annie a big smile. “You got yourself a job! Good for you.”

  Annie smiled. “Yes, and I’ve done very well in tips for my first day.”

  Lillian offered her a high five. “I just stopped by to place a to-go order,” she said. “What do you recommend?”

  “The special tonight is meatloaf, squash casserole, and green peas with pearl onions, and, of course, Patricia’s famous biscuit.”

  “Hmm. The last time I had Flo’s meatloaf it was a bit dry.” Lillian had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when something metal slammed against one of the walls in the kitchen, startling both of them. “On second thought, I believe I will have the meatloaf,” Lillian said.

  Annie smiled. “Excellent choice,” she said, writing the order on a ticket and hanging it in the window.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee on the house while you wait?”

  “I’d love it.” Lillian reached for the community college catalog. “What have we here?”

  “Oh, I was just checking through the fall schedule and wishing I could sign up for a few of the courses.”

  “Why can’t you? You could take morning classes.”

  “That’s not the problem. The problem is, Darla lives way out in the boonies, and I don’t have transportation. I could buy a bike, but it’s quite a distance.”

  Lillian looked thoughtful. “Let’s see. Kazue has an extra bike I bet she’d lend you, and my place is only a few blocks from the college and less than a mile from here.” When Annie just stared at her, she went on. “I have a garage apartment. It’s not bad, and the furniture’s okay. Just needs sprucing up. You could rent it by the week if it would be
easier on you, and I’d be willing to give you the first week free, if you’ll clean it.”

  “You would?” Annie asked.

  Lillian laughed. “Why wouldn’t I? You would do the same for me if you could.”

  “Yes, of course.” Annie realized she would indeed, and that made her feel pretty good about herself.

  Lillian patted her hand. “That’s what it’s all about, honey.”

  Flo slid a Styrofoam container into the window between the kitchen and dining room and Annie put it in a sack. But when Lillian pulled out her wallet to pay, Annie stopped her. “This one’s on me,” she said. “It’s not much, but it’s what I can do at the moment.”

  Lillian studied her as she tucked her wallet back into her purse. “You’re going to be okay, Annie Hartford. In fact, you’re going to do better than okay. Here’s my card. It has my home address on it. Come by tomorrow and see the apartment. I think you’ll like it.”

  Annie was still pondering those words long after Lillian left. Somebody believed in her! Somebody actually believed she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to.

  There was only one problem. Money. She needed to sign up for the courses as soon as possible if she had any hopes of starting this semester, and there was no way she could hope to make enough in tips that quickly. She needed a temporary loan, and there was only one person she knew to go to.

  She would ask Sam Ballard for the money.

  Chapter Five

  The lunch and dinner rush did not go so well. Sam was on hand during both, busing tables, seating customers, and when there were more tables than Annie could handle, he took orders and served the food as well. He was relieved that Gladys had taught Annie how to use the cash register, and other duties, meaning he would not have to take time to do so right in the middle of a mad rush.

  Annie raced through the dining room, trying her best to keep up, but she was so nervous having Sam there that she spilled or dropped almost everything she touched. A glass of iced tea slipped from her fingers and doused a truck driver sitting at the counter. He’d been flirting with Annie from the moment he walked in the door, but his smile faded abruptly as the cold beverage soaked the back of his shirt. Sam hurried over with a towel, and the three stood there looking at one another for a moment.

  Annie batted her lashes at the customer. “Was that as good for you as it was me?”

  Sam looked at her as though she’d lost her mind, but the trucker howled with laughter and ended up leaving her a big tip.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Sam asked, once he had a moment to speak to her. “I feel like asking people if they have health insurance before you wait on them. All my profits are being eaten up by broken plates and glasses.”

  Annie was too embarrassed to admit that part of the problem was him. He watched her constantly, her every move, and she was equally aware of his. She didn’t know if he expected her to run off with the money in the cash register or what. “I’ve never done this kind of work before, and this is my first day,” she said. “Besides, one waitress can’t take care of this crowd. I’m doing the best I can.”

  “Of course I know one waitress can’t handle it,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. I put an ad in the newspaper. Unfortunately, I’ve only had two responses, and neither had experience.”

  “Sort of like me, huh?”

  Sam didn’t respond. He knew she was trying, that she was also nervous, and it probably did not help that every time she looked up she found him staring at her, which would make anyone nervous. One reason he watched her was to make certain he was there for her if she needed him; the other reason . . . well, hell, he would have to be made of stone not to notice those legs and that tempting behind.

  “Let’s just try to get through the night without seriously injuring anyone, okay?” he said.

  Annie bit back the sarcastic reply on her tongue; after all, she needed the job if she was going to get her life in order. And she needed a loan. Instead of mouthing off at him as she was tempted, she offered him a smile. “I appreciate your being patient with me, Mr. Ballard. I know I can do this job; I just need more practice. And I promise to pay for every single glass and plate I break.”

  Sam looked perplexed. Mr. Ballard? Nobody called him that. As Annie walked away he watched her warily. She was up to something.

  By nine thirty, the customers were gone. Sam had cleaned off most of the tables and the counter. Annie didn’t know if he was doing it to be helpful or if he feared she’d break more dishes, but she went behind him wiping everything down and performing the tasks Gladys had listed. Flo and Patricia had already cleaned and mopped the kitchen and clocked out for the night.

  Sam was getting ready to clear the cash register. “I’ll buy your change if you like,” he told Annie. “That way I don’t have to go inside the bank and get it.”

  “Oh, okay.” Annie reached into her apron pocket, pulled out her tip money, and spread it on the counter. “I’m afraid I don’t have much change,” she said.

  Sam was disappointed for her. She’d worked both the lunch and dinner shift, and all she had to show for it was a few lousy bucks. He glanced over his shoulder, an apology on his lips, then froze when he saw the mountain of bills in front of her. “Looks like you did okay.”

  “I think I did,” Annie said. “I’ve got about one hundred dollars here. Oops, I’ve got more in my other pocket. Looks like thirty dollars and change. Is that good?”

  Sam was stunned. Darla did pretty well in the tip department, even when she shared the floor with another waitress, but she had been at it for years. That Annie had garnered that much in tips on her first day, especially in a family restaurant that closed at nine, was pretty impressive.

  “That’s damn good,” he said.

  “Especially when I told folks they didn’t have to tip me to begin with,” Annie said.

  “You told your customers they didn’t have to tip you?”

  “I was honest. I told them I was brand new at waitressing, that I would appreciate any pointers they could give me, but under no circumstances did I expect a tip. They insisted.”

  Sam wasn’t quite sure what to think since Annie had experienced a number of mishaps and even one or two calamities that would have sent many customers running for the door. Obviously the people she had waited on had been forgiving. “I’m glad you did well,” he said at last. “Hopefully things will get easier as time goes on.”

  Annie cleared her throat. “While we’re on the subject of money, I’d like to discuss the possibility of a small, short-term loan.”

  Sam arched one eyebrow. “You just made one hundred and thirty-something bucks in tips and you want a loan?”

  “Yes, I need to borrow four hundred dollars.” She reached into her pocket for a slip of paper. “I’ve got it all figured out. I’m willing to pay one point higher than the bank pays in interest, and I’ve scheduled my payments so that I’ll have the debt paid off in three weeks. I’ll probably be able to pay you back sooner, but I added the extra week just in case.”

  Sam reached for the paper. Surprisingly enough, she did have it all figured out, including the interest rate, late payments, and penalties. He shrugged. “Hell, Annie, I can just give you the money for as long as you need it. You don’t have to go through all this. May I ask what you plan to do with it?”

  “I want to take a couple of courses at the community college. I can fit them in before I have to be here for my lunch shift. My goal, at least for now, is to earn an associate degree in accounting.”

  Sam did not know what to make of it. Winston Hartford could have sent his daughter to any school she chose and in any country. Why hadn’t he done so, and why was Annie only now looking to start her education at a less expensive technical college? None of it made sense, but the last thing Sam wanted to do was get personally involved in Annie’s problems.

  “Do you know anything about accounting?” he asked.

  “Enough to know that I would be good at it.”
Annie did not want to go into details so she kept it simple. “I often volunteered to help out in the business office of a small girl’s school I attended in Boston. Math had always come easy for me so I decided to pay attention in case it was a skill I could learn later on.

  “Of course, the semester has already begun in the two courses I want to take, Accounting 101 and Intro to Business Concepts. I may have to wait until the next semester, but I’d like to try and get in if possible. I thought maybe if I did well enough, I might one day become a CPA.”

  Sam was thoughtful as he took in her determined look and stubborn chin. She was a hard worker, even if she was the queen of accidents. There was more there than fluff, he told himself. “Annie, I have a sneaking suspicion that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

  Annie felt her jaw drop. His words almost brought tears to her eyes. Other than Vera and Bradley, and, of course her grandfather when he was alive, nobody had ever really expressed a belief in her until she came to Pinckney. Now everybody seemed to think she was more than capable. “Thank you, Sam. I appreciate that. I sort of feel that way too.”

  He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, then fished out four one hundred-dollar bills. He slid them across the counter. “I don’t charge interest to my employees and friends, and I don’t need a repayment plan. You just pay me back when it’s convenient. That’s how we do business in a small town like Pinckney.”

  She was genuinely touched and almost sorry she’d given him that black eye. “Thank you,” she said. For a moment they just gazed at each other in silence. Finally, she folded the bills and put them in her pocket.

  “Well, I need to let you finish what you’re doing, and I should go check on Darla. I called a couple of times today, but I didn’t get an answer. Probably took the phone off the hook so she could sleep.”

  “Uh-huh.” Sam looked doubtful as he came around the counter. “I need to walk you to your car.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “Yes, it is.” He led the way to the front door, unlocked it, and they stepped outside.