Page 188 of Mountain Daddy
“Hello.” I lift my tray, then decide I’ve already made it weird, so I might as well continue. “Thank you too, for, um, being brave.”
The woman beams at me.
Dad leans forward, looking around Jessie at me. “Quit holding up the line.”
I pretend I can’t hear him as the woman across the table scoops up fries for me.
Chapter 113
Luther
Bobby is watchingKendra walk away.
I reach out and bump his arm with the corner of my tray.
His gaze snaps forward, meeting mine. “Oh, hey, Rocky.” He glances back toward Kendra. “Who’s that?”
“That’s an ass beating,” I reply dryly.
Next to me, Joe laughs. “That’s my Kenny.” Then he pats me on the back. “Uncle Rocky here is a little overprotective.”
Jessie coughs through a laugh, and I nearly gag. “Please don’t call me that.”
Joe pats me again, then moves over to get his fries.
Bobby is still looking between us, seeming way too perceptive.
I bump him with my tray again.
Finally through the line, I follow the other three to the last four spots available in the center of one of the long tables.
Joe and Kendra went around to the far side, Joe choosing the seat across from Jessie. Which leaves me to sit across from Kendra.
She still has her sunglasses on, and her head is tilted down, like she’s trying to decide what to eat first.
I noticed—because I can’t stop myself from noticing everything she does—that she didn’t grab lemon wedges or the little paper cups of tartar sauce. So I grabbed extra.
I set my tray down, then take my seat.
She doesn’t look up.
I clear my throat. “You forgot these.” I pick up one of the cups of sauce and set it on her tray. Then I do the same with two lemon wedges.
“Oh yeah, can’t forget that,” Joe comments a second before he shoves fish into his mouth.
Kendra lifts her head.
I see my reflection in her lenses. But then she reaches up and takes her glasses off.
I inhale.
I hold my breath.
And her eyes meet mine for the first time in weeks.
My Kendra Doll.
She’s so perfect.
