The waitress put the menus and napkin wrapped silverware in front of them. Lydia immediately unwrapped hers and looked at the spoon. She gave him an arch look.
“Okay, okay, I don’t even know where the saying comes from. But when Mom and Dad would pack up my sister, brother and I on a road trip they would always look for some diner. The trick was to find one where there were a lot of truckers, because they would know where to find the good food. Dad used to call them ‘greasy spoons’. Even more of a score is if they had a cool name. So this should be great!”
“I’m sold because the utensils are clean.” They looked up as the waitress came over and brought them glasses of water.
“I’ll be right back to take your orders.”
Clint grinned when he saw breakfast was served all day. They left the hotel in Georgia at noon. Lydia slept in, and Clint enjoyed the morning just holding her. They ate some muffins and bananas stashed in the RV, but he was ready for a heaping plate of food. He’d love to see Lydia really eat a full meal as well.
When the waitress came back he ordered the steak and eggs.
“Do grits come with that?”
“You bet they do, handsome.”
“I’d love a side of buttermilk pancakes as well.” The waitress grinned as she wrote down his order, then she turned to Lydia.
“Now don’t disappoint me and say you just want fruit and coffee.”
Lydia laughed. “Oh no, I believe in eating. I want your pecan waffles and some bacon. But please don’t hold it against me if I don’t finish.”
“You’ll get points for trying. Coffee and orange juice?”
“I’d love some milk too,” Lydia said as she handed the woman her menu.
“Coming right up.”
The food came hot and fresh and fast. Clint lost the fight over the maple syrup.
“Mine.” Lydia said as she poured it over her waffles. “You’ve got a mountain of food, you can just wait to drown your pancakes.” He laughed. He did it a lot around her.
“What’s that?”
“Grits.” He plopped on an extra tab of butter and stirred. Then scooped up a forkful and found himself a mouthful of heaven. He almost choked and grabbed his glass of water.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” he assured her.
“It’s the mush isn’t it? It tastes like wallpaper paste and it choked you.” Her brown eyes sparkled with mirth.
“Actually missy, I was thinking to myself I just found a mouthful of heaven, and then I remembered the other night when my mouth was filled with something much better.”
“Clint Archer you just be quiet.” She looked over her shoulder to make sure nobody was listening in on their conversation, and he laughed out loud. Teasing Lydia Hidalgo was pure joy.
“How was your conversation last night with your parents?”
“Mama actually sounded kind of relieved. I think having us all together has been stressful for her.”
Clint cut into his steak. It was cooked perfectly. “How was it stressful?”
“She was trying to be all things to all of us.” She hesitated and looked at him. “Can I be really honest?”
“I wish you would.”
“I’m mad at her too. I try not to show it, but she’s my mother, she can feel it.” Clint put down his knife and fork and grabbed her hand.
“Tell me about it.”
“She had to have known some of what was going on. I’m so mad at her, and I’m so disappointed in both of them.” She squeezed his hand hard and he let her.
“It’s understandable.”
“Do you know what almost happened to Beth? Do you? How dare they?” She covered her mouth and looked around the restaurant. Nobody was looking at them.
“Let it out Lydia.”
“No. I’ve said enough.” She sighed. “Anyway, that’s why I think it’s easier that I’m not around. Now she only has Papa to care for she is more relaxed.”
Clint did everything in his power to keep his countenance relaxed, but he wanted to beat the shit out of both of Lydia’s parents. Yeah he felt bad for Beth, but when he thought about what Lydia had gone through he was ready to kill. Finally he was ready to talk in a calm manner.
“How are your waffles?”
“I’ve never had pecan waffles before. These are fantastic.”
“Didn’t you talk to Beth too?”
“Yeah. She said the ranch was nice. She met Jack’s mother. She’s nice. I think she’s nervous around his step-father and step-brother.”
“How about Jack? Is she nervous around him?”
“No, she sounded like she was beginning to trust him a little. I was surprised.”