Page 27 of Back in the Country
“I’m worried about you, hon.”
“I promise, I’m fine.” I take a sip of coffee then say, “I’m just so happy to be home, you know? Like I’ve just been going through the motions and I’m finally where I’m supposed to be again.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” Joe smiles. “The last fifteen years with Rodney have been the best of my life.” She waves her hand around the room. “This is my business and my livelihood, but he’s my heart, you know?”
I nod because I do know. Waylon is my heart and soul—he always has been. I pray that we never fall apart again.
“Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
I nod because she’s not just talking about the food.
My phone buzzes on the table with a text from Rhea saying that she can meet me at nine. Relief floods me as I text her back that I’ll see her soon, then I take a bite of crispy bacon.
Lord almighty.
I stifle the moan but just barely. They rub the meat with a maple and coarse black pepper seasoning before putting it in the smoker and then frying it on the flat top. Suddenly ravenous, I practically inhale the rest of my meal before placing a hand on my stomach and sitting back heavily in the booth.
As if on cue, Joe appears at my side and nods. “You look better.”
“Must have been the bacon.” I grin and she laughs.
“Make sure you say hi to Rodney before you leave.”
“I will.” I look for the check but she waves me away. I scowl but she just laughs. Pulling out my wallet I leave a large tip in cash and then slide from the booth before heading for the kitchen.
Pots and pans clang around in organized chaos as breakfast foods sizzle all around us. Rodney Abel looks up and smiles.
“Hey kiddo!” he says before moving to give me a big hug. His gray T-shirt has a picture of a cow and the wordsI’d Smoke Thatin large print. The cow is labeled with all the cuts of meat, and I am confident that Joe had purchased it for him.
“Hey, Rodney. How are you?”
“Good, good. Did Joe tell you we’re taking a vacation to Colorado?”
“She did. Y’all deserve it.”
He looks lovingly toward the door where Joe is working and smiles. Rodney is a good-looking man with all the dad vibes. His thin-framed glasses complement his friendly face and warm smile.
“She works so hard I wanted to give her something special—something we could enjoy together.”
My heart squeezes in my chest as I hug him again. “You’re a good man, Rodney. Joe is lucky to have you.”
He hugs me back tightly. “I’m the lucky one.” Pulling away, he smiles. “That Thayer boy treatin’ you right?”
I laugh. “Y’all are too much.” He smiles and I make my way to the door before he calls out.
“Don’t be a stranger, ya hear? Took you long enough to visit this time.” He winks and I nod.
“I promise.”
With that, I return to the main floor, hug Joe, and thank her for the food and conversation. It has helped more than I can say.
Stepping out into the Tennessee sun, I pull my sunglasses from my purse and put them on. The sun is bright, and I wish, not for the first time, that I had an automatic car starter. My tank top sticks to my body as I slide into the driver’s seat. I’ve had this car since I turned eighteen—another gift from Sorren and Waylon.
They’d gotten me an early 2000s navy blue Ford Focus and then fixed it up until they deemed it was worthy. I didn’t do a lot of driving except to and from Nashville, so I wasn’t in any hurry to upgrade—but man, this heat is brutal. Maybe I’ll talk to Hank and see what it would cost to install a car starter and if it’s worth it with the mileage being so high.
That is future Marlee’s problem. For now, I am focusing on finding the perfect dress for my date with Waylon.
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