Page 72 of Silver Linings
“Is that really smart? Don’t you think, if anything, you should stick close to Lily and Sage?”
“I think I can take care of bo—” Stone’s phone rang, cutting into Gunner’s train of thought.
“Sorry guys. One sec.” He looked down at the cell he’d just pulled from his pocket. “It’s Dolly. She wouldn’t be calling if there wasn’t something going on. Give me one sec.” He held up his hand as he walked out of the conference room.
“Who the hell is Dolly? Is Stone seeing someone?” Gunner asked.
Nash and Hawk laughed.
“Dolly is the woman who owns the diner at the end of the street. It’s literally named ‘Dolly’s Diner’. He’s definitely not dating her, although I’m never going to let him live that down. She’s old enough to be his mom.”
“Maybe even old enough to be his grandma.” Hawk’s laughter filled the room.
“You guys are already close with her?”
“She had a break-in the first week we were in town. Hawk and Stone went over to help her out. Got her set up with a better security system, and all new locks, cameras, stuff like that. Now we all get a free slice of pie whenever we stop in. Best working relationship we have here so far,” Nash smiled.
“I’ll have to take Lily and Sage over there sometime. Lily loves blackberry pie. Do you think she’d have that?”
“Yeah. If not, mention it once, and Dolly’ll make it for you.”
Stone walked back into the room, his eyes bouncing immediately to Gunner.
“What’s going on, Doc?”
“Dolly just needs some help. I’ll head over now. You guys can fill me in when I get back on the plan. Okay?”
“Yeah. Give us a call if you need backup,” Hawk’s furrowed brows reflected the concern in Gunner’s gut. Something was off about Stone and he didn’t like it.
“So, where are you originally from, love?” Dolly set the glass of cold water in front of Lily and slid into the booth across from her. Apparently, she was going to have a new friend join her.
“Connecticut. I’ve been there my whole life. Never lived anywhere other than my hometown.” Lily picked up the water and gulped it down. She loved how the water chilled her instantly. “Until Gunner told me his job needed him back in Texas. I had Sage, and a few weeks later, here we are.”
“That’s wonderful that you’re so supportive of his career.”
“He’s given me the freedom to stay home with Sage since I had her, and I can’t possibly repay him for that.” She playfully tickled her daughter’s tummy and was rewarded with a big smile. “But I’m actually on my way to see about a job for myself. Idle hands and all that.”
“Oh, but Sage is still so young. After I had Jesse, I came right to work, but it was hard because I missed so much with her that I had with her older brothers.”
Lily nodded. “I’m lucky. The job will let me have Sage there with me during the day. I’ve always been someone who took care of myself, so I’d like to have a little of that independence back.”
“Well, that’s the best of both worlds, isn’t it?”
“I’m hoping so. Have you always been so interested in the lives of people around here?” Lily had a feeling Dolly was the one person in town who kept her eye on everyone else.
“Oh honey, I could tell you the life story of just about everyone in this town. Not because I’m a busy-body, mind you. It’s because I love every person here. My family started this town way back when. Now, I automatically induct anyone who walks through that door into my family. I’ve been here my whole life. Seen babies born, watched the older generation die. I’ll be here until the day I go…probably serving up pies and glasses of sweet tea. Well, at least I hope that’s the way I go.”
“You’re a Ford?”
Dolly smiled. “A woman who’s done her research about our beautiful town. I like you, Lily. And technically, I married into the Ford family.”
“But you’re here, and not at the ranch?”
“My husband and some of my sons run the ranch. That’s their passion. It’s too quiet out there for me. I want to be in town, serving people food that fills their soul.”
“It’s so nice that you were able to follow your passion, too.”
“Well, my husband really doesn’t get a say in it. I gave him five handsome sons and a beautiful daughter. Supporting me in this is the least he can do.”