Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
A slight frown turned down her lips. “Not many of the aides even talked to the patients. They were so busy getting work done, thinking that was more important. And it was important, but the old people who lived there were even more in need of companionship. I guess a lot of the staff thought everyone was senile and talking to them wouldn’t make any difference. But I loved hearing their stories and seeing them smile.”
“And that’s why you went into this line of work.”
She nodded. “Absolutely.”
“That’s why you know all their names, why you greet each one of them, why you take the time to talk to them and do their nails.”
It was her turn to blush. “Of course I can’t do it for all of them, but there’s a special few who really love it. It doesn’t take much of my time to be kind.”
It probably took a lot more time than she’d admit, but because she loved it, she had to do it.
“I’m curious. Some you call Mr. and Mrs. Others you use their first names.”
She shrugged. “They’re from a bygone age where formality was valued. I listen to the way they introduce themselves to me, and that’s what I use. Mrs. Greeley prefers the formal address, but Edith and Myrtle never even mentioned their last names.”
She was observant, and details were important to her.
He thought back to all the times he’d seen her with his grandmother, before they got together, before he fell for her, before he’d even kissed her.
And now she was the amazing, beautiful, competent woman he’d always known she was. Everything about her facilities demonstrated her compassion as well as her proficiency.
She straightened her suit jacket and pointed to the kitchen door. “I should get on with your tour since we’ve spent so much time already. I’ll let you lead, since this will be your domain.”
The kitchen wasn’t the worst, but it was cramped. He was sure he could improve the flow. “It’s a big help to see the space my team members will have to work with. But ideally, I need to bring the kitchens up to my standards. Is that a problem?”
She shook her head. “Do what you need to do and send me the bill.”
“It won’t hold up getting my people in here. We’ll work with what we’ve got for now.”
And renovations would guarantee more time with her.
* * *
Speaking of more time, a massive traffic jam snarled the route home. The car moved one length every five minutes.
Ransom checked the cause on his phone. “Looks like it’s a possible hazardous materials spill. The freeway is completely closed.”
Gripping the wheel a little too tightly, Ava asked, “Can you see if there’s a way around it?”
He opened his maps app, but slow-moving traffic crammed every alternative. “Everyone else has the same idea. All the side roads are blocked. Even picking the best one, it’s going to take us more than four hours to get back.”
Rush hour wasn’t that far off, when things would only get worse.
But Ransom had a brilliant idea. “Let’s pull off at the next exit and get something to eat. Maybe it will clear by the time we’re done.”
“We were too late for lunch in the dining room.” Ava dropped her hand to her stomach. “And I am getting hungry.”
They crept along another fifteen minutes to the next exit, where he spied the sign for a burger joint. “How about there?”
“At least it’s close.”
Other than visiting one of his brother’s restaurants, Ransom hadn’t been to a real burger joint in years. His mouth actually watered for the taste of a juicy burger. It took another fifteen minutes to be seated, since they weren’t the only ones pulling off the freeway.
Though Ransom wasn’t used to waiting at a restaurant, mostly because he went to his own, he enjoyed the extra time with Ava. The traffic jam might not be such a bad thing.
The place had the feel of an old mom-and-pop restaurant like his parents’, with a checkerboard floor and red vinyl booths, a long countertop with swivel chairs, and an old-fashioned soda fountain. Pictures of vintage cars crowded the walls next to autographed photos of ballplayers.
Once they were seated and had ordered burgers and fries, Ava asked, “So tell me, is this anything like your parents’ restaurant?”
“A bit. But my brother has made some great improvements, as well as opening several other locations in Milwaukee. Adam is doing really well.”
When their food arrived, his first taste of the burger made him want to roll his eyes in pleasure. “This is a great reminder that you don’t always have to dine at five-star restaurants to really enjoy a meal. This burger is tasty.”
Ava dipped a fry in ketchup, held it up. “And this is an excellent French fry.”
As they ate, she said, “I’m really glad to know that you’ve patched things up with your brother.” She looked down, swallowing a bite of burger before adding, “I never did understand what happened.”