Lucky's Choice(45)
“It’s cool. I imagine you had a terrible night. Attitude in a woman never bothers me. I can hold my own ground.”
Willa nodded. She didn’t doubt that for a second.
It didn’t take long for their meals to arrive. The younger girls played with their food more than they ate, but the atmosphere at the table wasn’t as uncomfortable as Willa had thought it would be.
The other restaurant-goers eventually stopped staring at them, and she was able to relax and finish most of her meal. Lucky ate his own then sat back, enjoying his coffee.
“That won’t keep you awake tonight?”
“Six cups of coffee couldn’t manage that tonight.”
“You didn’t sleep well?”#p#分页标题#e#
Lucky’s face became closed-off as he motioned for Ginny to bring their check. Willa didn’t miss the strain on the woman’s features when she laid the check on the table.
“I didn’t realize you were working here,” Willa probed delicately.
Ginny paused in her frantic pace to wait on her customers. “I was fired from my last job.”
“I was wondering where you were the last time I stopped in at the insurance office.”
Ginny didn’t explain why she was fired, and Willa didn’t probe further, only nodded sympathetically. It was hard to have your income depend on another.
“I have to work two jobs to make up for losing that one. I’m also working at the theatre.”
“I imagine working two jobs can’t be easy.”
“I’d rather work four jobs than put up with old man Dawkins.”
Willa didn’t blame her. Carter Dawkins was as unlikable as his son.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. If there’s anything I can do, let me know. If I open the bakery I’m planning, maybe I can offer you a job. But it’s going to be a while,” Willa added hastily.
The woman’s face brightened. “Let me know. I don’t mind this one, but the theatre is third shift.”
“I’d be glad to hire you.”
“Thanks, Willa. I heard you’re engaged. Congratulations,” she said.
“Thanks.” Treepoint’s grapevine had already been hard at work. “I’ll see you tomorrow in church.”
Ginny moved away to wait on another table.
“You always try to help everyone, yet you hate to take it yourself.” Lucky leaned down, picking up Chrissy.
“She needs help. She looked exhausted,” Willa stated simply.
“Who’s going to help you?” Lucky’s expression tightened.
“I can handle it. I have a secret weapon.”
“You do?”
“Yes, it brings the girls to a stop for at least a good hour a day.”
His mouth twitched. “What’s that?”
“Peppa Pig. I’ve recorded every episode,” Willa said fervently.
He burst out laughing as he stopped long enough to pay the check.
Feeling the center of attention again, Willa fled outside to wait, practically running into the man and woman about to enter the diner.
“Watch where you’re going!”
Willa came to a sudden stop at Jenna’s harsh command.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” She tugged Caroline closer to her to give Jenna and Curt Dawkins enough room to pass.
Curt held the door open for Jenna as she walked past her, deliberately knocking Willa back a step.
Willa gasped as Caroline fell down.
Jenna didn’t pause, throwing a gloating look over her shoulder, and a flash of fury struck Willa.
“Leanne, take Caroline and Charlie to the car.”
Before the girl could say anything, Willa went through the door after Jenna and Curt.
Lucky was turning away from the cash register, giving her a questioning look as Willa moved in front of Jenna, blocking her.
“If you don’t like me, that’s fine, but don’t you dare touch one of those children again.”
Jenna cast a wary glance toward Lucky. “It was an accident.”
“Usually, when you have an accident, you apologize.”
No apology was forthcoming from her, and Willa could tell she wasn’t about to get one.
“If you have a problem with me, take it out on me, but don’t ever think I’ll stand by and watch you hurt someone I care about to get back at me.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I don’t have a problem with you, Willa. You’re not that important to me,” Jenna said cuttingly.
“The feeling’s mutual.” Willa brushed rudely past her, for once happy that her weight came in handy. She knocked Jenna against an empty table, and Jenna would have fallen if Curt hadn’t grabbed her arm. Willa waited for Jenna’s reaction, stubbornly refusing to leave before Jenna could.