Page 12 of Peach Tree Family

"I need the luck. We have no running water or electricity, and right now I can't afford to have them turned on," Theo said and Hannah overheard him from over at the next table.

"Where are you living?" she wanted to know.

"You know where the Atkins house is?" Theo asked her.

"I do, but it's all boarded up," she said.

"It won't be for long," Theo told her and he put money down on the table.

"Don't leave that. The owners grandson treated you," Hannah told him.

"I'm setting a good example for my little brother," Theo told her.

"All right then," she said. "It's appreciated."

Theo turned to Seth now. "We'll be buying school supplies and some other things then I'll go to the inn."

"Good luck with that. I hope you get it," Theo told him and put out his hand for a handshake.

Theo didn't do the same right away, but when he did, Seth found that he was holding his breath. Theo's grip was firm, his fingers long, and Seth felt heat rising in him. Why? He didn't know. It was like the warmth of another hand in his had given him a sudden fever.

Then Ace wanted to shake hands with him too, and Seth was feeling alright again as he returned his smile. "Thanks for the reference."

Once they left, Seth gave Rico their decision. "Good to have you with us. The hiring is provisional. The owner, also known as my grandma, still has to approve it, but don't worry about that."

Seth did worry though, and he was sorry to see Theo and Ace go. He reminded himself that they still had his duffel bag at their house so it wasn't like he would never see them again.

There was no time for moping. He had to jump right in, learning the ropes. He bussed tables and helped with some supplies that arrived. If he had a free minute, he was given the menu to memorize plus what was and wasn't in all the dishes.

At lunchtime, he got to wait tables with Hannah looking over his shoulder. She got assigned to train him, and she let him have all the easy customers.

Then just as the lunch rush was winding down, an older woman came in and half the cafe waved and greeted her. She waved at them and threw kisses like she was a celebrity.

"That's the owner, Mrs. Del Rio. She'll give you the final thumbs up or thumbs down. If she doesn't like you..." Hannah made a cutting motion across her throat.

Seth knew his hiring was provisional, but he hoped to have a little more time to prove himself.

The tall, older lady with big, blond hair went around the place chatting up the customers then talked to Rico while eyeing Seth. She did smile, but Seth was still sweating bullets as he got called over to talk to her.

"There he is. Seth Brewer," Rico said then he left them to it.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Dahlia Del Rio. So you're living out at the Atkins place," Mrs. Del Rio said and Seth hated that he had to start off with a lie.

"I... I'm staying there. These two brothers, Theo and Ace, they were kind enough to put me up," Seth stammered though there was some truth in that.

"I remember that Mike Atkins had a grandson," she said and Seth figured that must have been Theo.

"Ace, the younger brother, is just a little kid. He's never been here before," Seth told her. "The brothers are here to stay. Theo already has his little brother enrolled in school."

"That's real nice. That's a fine old house. I had my eye on it," Mrs. Del Rio said.

"What for?" Hannah asked, eavesdropping again.

"As a short term rental," Mrs. Del Rio said.

"Ah, for the tourists," Hannah said.

"That's right," Mrs. Del Rio confirmed. "The Atkins house has got some sweet rustic charm, but it's better that it stays in the family. I'm sure Mike's grandsons will take good care of it."

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