“Menfolks do manly things like haul hay and stretch barbed wire,” he argued.
“That girl who bought the cake from your place of business was Emily’s friend. That cake you made was excellent; everyone at the wedding raved about it. I’d take you home to meet my mama and would be proud to introduce you. I think she might even like you,” Vicky said.
“I know she would have been, but she still wouldn’t sell you our recipe for tarts,” Nettie said.
He removed his hand, stood up, and walked around the room a couple of times before sitting back down. “Are you tellin’ me that the bride who bought a cake from me was a dear friend and you still wouldn’t cater the tarts for her wedding?”
Nettie hit the button to bring the head of the bed up higher. “Unless Emily gets married inside the diner, she don’t even get tarts. Rules is rules and we do not break them. And thanks for staying with her, Andy.”
“My pleasure, ma’am. Can I get you anything?” he asked.
“I can reach the water and I expect they’ll bring me some supper here in a minute. I bet there’s not a bit of bacon in it. And I’m tellin’ you right now, if it’s tofu, I’m going to throw it in the trash.”
“I’ll help you hide the evidence if that’s what they bring in here,” he laughed. “You’ll be out of here in a few days and feelin’ a lot better. Dad said that he had dizzy spells and sometimes his heart felt funny before they put in the pacemaker, but afterward he was fine.”
“I won’t be happy until I’m back in my kitchen at the diner,” she said. “I’d be happy if Vicky would go on home and get some rest tonight.”
“I wouldn’t sleep a wink, so I’ll just stay right here,” Vicky said.
“And—” Andy started.
Nettie quickly butted in before he could finish. “You can’t stay, Andy.”
“I wasn’t going to offer unless Vicky asked, but why can’t I stay?”
“Because it’s against the rules to have sleepovers with strange men. You have to date for at least three months first.” Nettie winked.
“That could be arranged, Nettie,” Andy told her.
“Talk to her, not me. You could never keep up with an experienced woman like me.” Nettie yawned.
“Ahhh.” Andy sighed. “I had my heart set on you, since you are the one who makes those tarts.”
“I’ll teach her how to make them if you’ll get serious and ask her out,” Nettie teased.
Before he came back with another smart-ass remark, Emily led a pack of four into the room in a rush. Vicky had never been so glad to see a bunch of kids in her life.
“Nettie!” Emily bent over the bed and kissed her on the forehead.
“You scared the bejesus out of us.” Jancy patted her on the shoulder.
Shane picked up her hand and kissed it. “W-we all been w-worried, Miz Nettie. Whole town m-misses you already.”
Ryder hung back until they all stepped aside, and then he knelt at the side of the bed. “You’ve got to get well. Emily and Jancy can run the diner without you, but they need you, Nettie. It’s not the same without you in the kitchen.”
She patted him on the head. “I’ll be there soon as they let me out of this joint. It’s a shame that I had to pass out in the doctor’s office and get hauled in here to get this kind of attention. If I’d known that, I would have done it years ago.”
“Listen to her,” Vicky scolded. “She was carryin’ on somethin’ awful when I got here, sayin’ she was goin’ to work in the mornin’, and even told me I couldn’t stay with her tonight. But y’all come in and she’s sweet as molasses.”
“I was not. I been the picture of a sweet little southern lady all day.” Nettie’s eyes twinkled.
“That true, Andy?” Emily asked.
“I plead the Fifth.” Andy smiled.
“So who’s going to make the tarts?” Nettie changed the subject.
“Neither of us. With only two of us to run the diner, we don’t have time. And besides, making them is too scary. What if they aren’t as good as what you make? We could lose customers.” Emily sat down on the edge of the bed and took Nettie’s hand in hers.
“So we’re going to make strawberry cupcakes instead,” Jancy said. “We found this amazing recipe online. We can use frozen strawberries and make a simple cream cheese frosting. It won’t be your famous tarts, but it will keep the strawberry theme going until you can get home.”
Emily shot a sly wink toward her mother. “When you feel up to it, you can make the tarts again. I bet the folks in Pick will line up all the way to Leonard’s place to get one after they’ve had to do without for a few days.”
Nettie shook her head slowly. “Never miss the water till the well runs dry. They’ll have to make do with the cupcakes until I get home. It won’t be but a week at the most. You’ll tell them all, especially Woody, that I’m real sorry, won’t you?”
“We will,” Jancy said. “He took his two home with him just today.”
“I should be going now,” Andy said. “Walk me to the elevator, Vicky?”
“No hanky-panky or I’ll get jealous.” Nettie grinned.
The heart attack had definitely affected Nettie’s ability to keep her mouth shut. She might as well put up a neon sign saying that Vicky was in bad need of a boyfriend, which she definitely was not. She had to straighten out her daughter about going to college for the final year. She did not have time for romance.
“Sorry about that,” Vicky said when they were in the hallway.
“She’s a hoot. I wish my dad had some of that humor. I wanted to make sure you have my number in your phone before I leave. If you need anything, no matter whether it’s the middle of the night or early morning, call me.” He took her phone from her hand and programmed his number into it.
“Thank you, but . . .”
“Friendship has no buts,” he said as he pushed the “Down” button. “I’ll check on you tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Vicky said.
The doors slid open, and he stepped inside. “Good night, and if you can’t sleep, call me.”
After the doors closed, she backed up against the wall and sat down on the floor, pulled her knees up against her chest, and wrapped her arms around them. The last couple of days had been totally surreal. First Emily saying she wasn’t going back to college and then this thing with Nettie. And finally the past three hours with Andy.
“Mama?” Emily whispered.
At first she thought she had imagined her daughter’s voice, but then she felt a presence next to her, and Emily tucked her hand into hers. “Are you all right?” Emily’s face had gone pale. “Do you know something that we don’t?”
“No, I’ve been honest with you,” Vicky said. “And I’m all right. A little tired and still worried about her, but I’m fine. Once the pacemaker is in place, I’ll feel much better.”
“I know what you are thinkin’,” Emily said. “Folks say if they have a second heart attack it’s pretty often fatal. But Nettie is strong, and she’s in the hospital, not at home.”
“Exactly. But that is why I’m still stayin’ with her. If she so much as groans, I’ll be there,” Vicky said.