“I usually can, but sometimes fixing is more expensive than the car is worth.” He offered Laura an apologetic smile. “Sorry, ma’am.”
“Well, then, you see what you can find to replace it.”
Laura put a hand on Myrna’s arm. “No, Myrna, it’s okay. I can save up money and buy something pretty cheap.”
“Nonsense. Will, you see what you can find. Something decent and dependable, not a lot of miles.”
He saluted and backed away from the car. “You’re the boss, Myrna.”
“Don’t you forget it.” Myrna shifted into Reverse and backed out of the parking lot. “How about coffee and pie at the Mad Cow? It’s Wednesday. Vera has coconut cream on Wednesday.”
“That sounds good, but I should probably get back to work.”
“Nonsense. Jesse already said he wants you to take it easy for a few days. You need to listen to him.”
A few minutes later they pulled into the black-and-white-painted building with Mad Cow Café painted on the front in red letters. Laura hadn’t been in the restaurant but had eaten the meals that Jesse had had delivered.
“Here we are.” Myrna parked the car in an empty space at the side of the building. “You coming in?”
Laura nodded and unbuckled her seat belt. “Of course.”
Cowbells clanged to announce their arrival as they walked through the door of the restaurant. Although it was well past lunchtime, there were several full tables. A group of ladies took up the long center table. Two tables were taken by older men.
“Men gossip more than women ever thought of,” Myrna announced as she walked past the group of men. She touched the shoulder of one man and he smiled up at her. Myrna took off his ball cap and hung it on the back of his chair. “Take your hat off when you’re inside.”
“It’s the Mad Cow, Myrna,” he grumbled as he ran a big hand through thinning gray hair. “I tell you, women are a lot of trouble. Who’s your friend? Is she as ornery as you?”
“Of course she is. And her name is Laura.”
A woman walked out from the back of the restaurant. Her dark hair was shot through with gray and pulled back in a neat bun. Her white blouse and jeans were hidden behind a red apron.
“Well, look who came in for coconut cream pie.” The woman hugged Myrna. “Here, sit back here away from these men.”
“Thank you, Vera, we will. And I’d like for you to meet Laura.” Myrna pulled Laura forward.
Vera nodded and then she smiled. “You’re Jesse’s housekeeper. How you feeling, honey? Did my chicken soup help?”
“It did.”
“Good, well, the coconut cream pie will make you feel even better. You girls have a seat. I’ll be right back with pie and coffee.”
Laura squeezed into the corner booth, sitting opposite Myrna. Vera returned a few minutes later with three pieces of pie and the coffeepot.
“I brought another piece of pie on out. I saw Jesse pull in a few minutes ago. I figure he’ll want pie.”
The bells clanged and the glass door opened. Jesse pulled off his cowboy hat as he walked in and ran a hand through his dark hair. He glanced around the room and when he saw Laura and Myrna, he smiled. Laura choked a little on her coffee and Vera gave her a sympathetic look.
“There’s definitely something going around.” Vera smiled as she made the comment. “I hope it isn’t too contagious.”
Chapter Five
Jesse knew he’d start a few new rumors by walking in and sitting next to Laura. He’d considered sitting by his grandmother but she didn’t seem to be inclined to move over. Laura looked up, her coffee cup still in her hand. She glanced at his grandmother, then at him. After a long pause Laura scooted and he sat next to her.
“Now, look at that, Laura—my grandson is a gentleman. See how he took his hat off and left it on the hook by the door.”
Jesse knew the comment wasn’t for him. His grandmother looked at the table of farmers having their afternoon coffee and he wondered which one she meant that comment for.
“Gran, I know you’d still take a switch to my hide if I stepped in here wearing my hat.”
She smiled at that. “Vera brought you a piece of coconut pie.”
Laura moved the plate and a roll of silverware in a napkin in front of him. “It’s really good.”
“Best in Oklahoma.” Vera returned with the coffeepot.
“Jesse, how are you today?”
“I’m good, Vera.” He watched the owner of the Mad Cow, wondering what she was up to. “How are you?”
She smiled and poured his coffee. “I’m just dandy. Are you bringing Laura to church tonight?”
“I have to go in to work this evening.”
“That’s too bad. The singles group is starting a new Bible study.”
Then Jesse got it. He looked from Vera to Laura, and from the shade of pink crawling up Laura’s cheeks, he figured she got it, too. Vera was trying to match them up, make more of the situation than there was. From the pleased look on his grandmother’s face, she was hoping he’d be the next Cooper she offered an heirloom ring to. He considered putting the rumors to bed right then, but he didn’t.
For some crazy reason, he kept his mouth shut. He sat there next to Laura, her shoulder brushing his and her sweet perfume, springtime and fresh, teasing his senses, and he didn’t say a word.
“I doubt I’ll be able to make it, Vera,” he finally managed. “But I can drop Laura off if she wants to attend.”
Laura’s gray eyes widened as she looked at him. He grinned and lifted his brows. She shook her head.
“I don’t think I’m up to it.” She turned to smile up at Vera. “But thank you.”
“That’s a shame.” Vera shook her head and looked at his grandmother. “Isn’t that a shame, Myrna?”
“It is a shame.” His grandmother glanced at the table of farmers then at her watch. “Look at the time. I forgot I have an appointment in Grove. Jesse, can you give Laura a ride back to your place?”
“Of course I can. Where are you going in such a hurry?”
His grandmother stood and for a second she seemed a little lost. She touched the back of a chair to steady herself, then smiled big as if nothing had happened. Jesse wanted to believe nothing had happened, but he wasn’t wrong.
“I’ve just got an appointment.” She smiled again.
“Gran,
