How Cassie Got Her Grind Back(Divine Creek Ranch 23)(46)

“Nonsense,” Ivan said. “Let me finish it for you. You showed it to me already. And I’d have the pictures of the finished product to go by.”

Cassie looked at him as if he was crazy, but he just grinned. Hank interrupted and said, “Eli told me she’s stable, but they want to transport her for observation. He said you can ride with him, Cassie.”

“Okay.” She nodded and set her jaw, as if reminding herself she could handle this. “I appreciate all of your help…if you’re sure. Things are about to get busy,” she added as more people came in the side door.

Grandma Kate returned to the group with her white curls done up in a red kerchief, Rosie the Riveter-style, a Divine Drip apron hung around her neck, and a paper towel in her hands, drying them. She quickly hugged Cassie and made a shooing gesture. “Let us know how she is. I’ll be praying, honey.”

“Don’t overdo it, Grandma Kate,” she said as Ivan brought her purse to her.

“We won’t let her,” he said. “And you let me know when you’re ready to be picked up. I can stay in the area as long as need be today.”

Grandma Kate was already behind the counter, chatting with folks waiting in line as she tied up her apron strings and then picked up her order pad and pencil. “What can I get for you, sweetie?” she asked the first person in line. Veronica joined her behind the counter and spoke to the first person in the other line.

Cassie looked up at Ivan, who kissed her forehead as the waitress brought him an apron, too. “We’ve got this, baby. You go take care of your mom. Keep in touch as you’re able so we know what’s going on.”

She nodded, her eyes bright with unshed tears and then hugged and kissed them both. It was a fast kiss, but intense, before she rushed out the door.

For the next hour, Ivan and the two coffee shop employees kept them on the right track. He discovered Kate really did have a little experience with restaurant work because several members of her extended family worked at a café in her hometown of Lusty, Texas.

Once the rush had slowed just a bit, Ivan went into the back and began working on the wedding cake. Samson left to go to work, but not before Grandma Kate gave him a kiss on the cheek and pressed a cup of hot, strong coffee in his hand. “You go be there for all the souls who may need help, Samson. It was a pleasure meeting and working with you today.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He wasn’t sure how much good he did, but he’d learned the difference between a grande and a tall and served pastries and kolaches. And while he could pour a mean cup of old-fashioned drip coffee, he’d left the running of the espresso machine to the experts. He hoped the results had been acceptable to the customers. He didn’t want to mess up her following in the community.

On the way back to Morehead, Samson grinned as he took a sip of the coffee Grandma Kate had made for him. The perfect amount of sugar. It was like he’d always said, Moms, and Grandmas, had magic in their fingers and everything they made tasted good.

“Speaking of which,” he said as he hit the hands-free calling button on his steering wheel. “Call home.”

“Calling,” intoned the voice-activated system.

“Hello?” said the sweet voice over the speaker system of the truck.

“Mom! How’re you doin’?”

“Samson! I’m just fine. It’s been a week or two since I last talked to you. How have you been?”

“Great. Hey, do you remember Cassie Villalobos?”

“I sure do,” she murmured, her tone a little more cautious. “I always thought she was a sweet thing. Why do you ask?”

“Well, we went to the high school reunion   recently,” he said and began to get her caught up.





Chapter Ten




Cassie joined Dr. Emma Rivers in the hallway outside her mom’s hospital room and focused on Emma’s explanation of the emergency room physician’s diagnosis.

“An anxiety attack? Thank goodness—I mean that’s awful, but I was terrified she’d had a heart attack.”

Emma patted her arm, understanding in her eyes. “I know what you meant. That’s what the tests indicate so far. Symptom-wise, a person having an anxiety attack often feels as though they’re having a heart attack, which serves to increase their panic, resulting in a snowball effect. Her blood pressure is still on the low side. They’ll keep an eye on her for the next several hours until she’s had some IV fluids and keep her overnight, which I agree is a good idea. Once we get her over this bump in the road, bring her to see me for a follow-up. Did she say anything about feeling under the weather lately?”