Ruby chuckled. “It won’t bite, you know.”
She took the packet and slowly opened it. The cash inside shocked her. “I don’t understand.”
“I told you. An early Christmas present.”
When Sky opened her mouth to protest, Ruby put up a hand to stop her. “You’re not only a good employee, Sky, you’re a great friend. You have a way with people, and that’s a gift not to be wasted. This is just my way of saying how much I appreciate all you have done for me the last couple of years.”
Sky stood when her boss rose and came around the desk.
“Christmas is around the corner,” said Ruby. “I know things have been tight for you. Maybe this will help.”
Tears slowly found their way down Sky’s cheeks. She swallowed with great difficulty and finally found her voice. “Oh, Ruby. How can I ever thank you?”
“Invite me to the wedding.” She placed an arm around Sky’s waist. “And let me bake the cake.”
Sky walked around on cloud nine all day. She called Doc right after her conversation with Ruby and said she could start anytime. They agreed Sky would begin work a week from Monday, which would allow her time to get things in order. Thanks to the gift from Ruby, Sky not only had the option of working or not the next week, she could give Maddie the Christmas she deserved. And pay the rent on time.
But first, she would splurge on a Christmas tree.
A quick call to Max, and they were set to go that afternoon. She then took the time to call Janet Orm’s and let her know they would pick Maddie up as soon as Sky got off work. Just thinking about how delighted her young daughter would be made Sky smile even more.
“That must have been some date,” teased Bill from his usual spot at the counter. “You’ve been grinning like a jackass eating briars all day.”
She ignored the rush of heat to her face. Bill was Bill. He’d rather tease—and flirt—than eat. “I was just thinking how thrilled Maddie will be when I tell her we’re getting a Christmas tree today.”
“Cool. Kids love Christmas. Y’all going to the tree farm off ten-oh-two?”
She nodded. “Yes. Mr. Jenkins told me about it this morning. They have wagon rides and hot cider, and you get to cut down your own tree.”
“You’ve never been out there?”
“No. We usually get one at the store.” After they went on sale, was the unspoken end to that sentence.
“It’s a neat place. Love the smell.”
“More coffee?”
“No, thanks. Time to get back to work.”
“Must be hard watching TV all day.”
Bill shrugged. “Being a jailer is the most boring job in the county. Except for the weekends. We got a lively crowd in there right now.”
“I heard there was a fracas after the dance last night.”
He snorted coffee when he laughed. “Some of them old codgers still got fire in ‘em.” He stood and placed some bills on the counter. “Have a good one.” He turned around, then stopped. “Say, is, uh, Anna gonna be around a while?”
“I think she has to be back on Wednesday.”
“She plan on coming back anytime soon?”
Bill was interested in Anna. That was good to know. “I guess that would depend on whether or not she had something—or someone, to entice her back, now wouldn’t it?”
He winked. “I’ll have to work on that.”
Sunday lunch was usually a busy time, and today was no exception. Sky had just finished ringing up a customer when Logan walked in.
He looked around the crowded diner and turned for the door.
“Hi,” she said quickly. “There’s an empty booth back in the corner.” She shut the cash drawer. “Just give me a minute to clean it.”
She hurried off without giving him a chance to reply.
He slid into the booth without looking at her. “Thank you.”
“Need a menu?”
He shook his head. “Just coffee. With cream.”
“Sure you don’t want something to eat? Today’s special is Chicken Fried Steak.”
The tips of his ears turned bright red when his stomach issued a soft grumble. “I’m good.”
She placed the cup on the table, then went to the kitchen and turned in an order for the daily special.
He looked down at the plate when she placed it in front of him a short time later. “I didn’t order this.”
