Page 104 of I Choose You
Sheila appeared with two cups of coffee and menus before giving us a minute to decide.
“What’s good here?” my mother asked. I half expected her to sound appalled, but she didn’t. She held the laminated bi-fold menu without a look of condescension or disgust. Shewas just asking my opinion as someone who was familiar with the diner. She was here putting in the effort to spend time with me. Maybe I needed to do a little better too. Stop jumping to the conclusion that she meant something snide when she was being sincere.
“Pancakes. Sheila makes the best pancakes. The omelets are great too, though.”
She nodded and folded her menu at the same time someone came up to our booth.
“Hi, Claire,” David Pratchett said with a smile.
“Good morning, Mr. Pratchett,” I replied, making introductions for my mother.
“Your daughter did an amazing job at the Delano Library. I still can’t believe my eyes when I see it brought back to its former glory,” Mr. Pratchett gushed.
“Thank you. That was all Reid. He and his crew worked so hard to make sure everything was perfect.”
“Well, you make a great team if you ask me.” He winked.
“Thanks. And, um, now that I’m back in town permanently, if you have any positions open at the historical society, maybe you could keep me in mind?” I asked hopefully.
Mr. Pratchett shook his head, his lips pulled into a tight line. “Well, I can keep you in mind, but I don’t have anything available. Not paying jobs anyway. But I heard that Barbara Riscuto was retiring in June, so the Delano Library is going to need a new historian. Would something like that interest you?”
My eyes widened as my jaw hit the floor. The historian for the Delano Library? I would be working in that building every day? That would be a dream job. I held my hands tightly in my lap, trying to contain my excitement, even though myhead was nodding like a bobblehead.
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Yes, I would definitely be interested in that.”
“Well, alright then. I’ll put in a good word for you. You’ll probably be hearing from someone within the next day or two.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pratchett. That would be amazing.”
His smile was almost shy when he responded. “You deserve it, Claire. You’re extremely talented. I think you’ve got a bright future ahead of you.”
Sheila walked up to take our orders, and Mr. Pratchett excused himself. “I’ll let you ladies enjoy your breakfast. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was lovely to meet you too,” my mother said.
Sheila took our orders—two plates of pancakes—and delivered them a few minutes later.
“I’m so glad you’re back in town, hon. I can imagine Reid is as well. That boy was pure misery while you were away.”
“Thanks, Sheila. I’m glad to be back. Oh, Mom, this is Sheila Rawlins. She and Reid’s dad Charlie are together. Sheila, this is my mother, Melanie.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” my mother said primly.
“Same here. Your daughter is truly a special lady. We all adore her around here,” Sheila said. “And speaking of, tell me, is this a permanent thing?”
“It is. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, that’s such great news. Let’s have a dinner tonight at our place. A little celebration. Melanie, we’d love for you to join us as well.”
“You don’t have to do that. I was only gone a week,” I laughed.
“I want to. It didn’t feel right not having you around at Jane’s birthday party. We all missed you.”
“Thanks, Sheila. I was really sorry to miss it too. A dinner sounds great, as long as it isn’t putting you or Charlie out.”
Sheila fluttered away with a smile on her face.
“You sure seem to know a lot of people here,” my mother observed.
