Page 34 of Love at Meg's Diner

Looking down again at Dottie, his eyes shifted to the bottom of his pant leg. Meg had moved away from him so fast. She’d had on jeans, and he was only going to look at her ankle. What could have possibly made her so nervous about that?

He took another swig of water then fiddled with the bottle, still processing what she had said about being a firefighter. The news itself didn’t rattle him so much as why she never mentioned it. It was easy to see that Meg didn’t share about herself to others, except maybe with Baylee. But her former job didn’t seem like information that required secrecy. Lots of people worked in the profession and retired young. It was hard on the body and sometimes just as tough on the mind. The former firefighters he knew were proud to say they’d served in that capacity. And yet Meg kept it close to the vest. Well, until today. Something felt off. He had a sneaking suspicion whatever Meg was carrying emotionally on her own had to do with her past as a firefighter.

Maybe she had told Rachel more about it and that was what Rachel had been giving him a heads-up about. As much as he wanted details though, he wanted them from Meg, not anyone else. She didn’t trust people and Chet wanted her trust. He’d have to earn it, and that would take time.

Concerned about her leg and not wanting her to overdo on their run the next day, he texted her.

How’s the leg?

After a few minutes, his phone dinged with a response.

All good.

You okay to run tomorrow? We can take a day off.The selfish side of him wanted to see her and hoped she truly was good to run.

I think so. Not sure I can do all 7 miles. Maybe take one at a time?

He stared at his phone screen. It was an honest and somewhat vulnerable response. Not at all what he expected, but one that made him feel as if he’d cracked through just a tiny bit of her defenses. He smiled as he typed back.Absolutely. Same time, same place.

See you then. And thanks for checking in.

His heart warmed as he read the words. She’d been so set earlier on them all knowing how fine she was, it surprised him to see her…well, soft. That side of her was there. He just hadn’t experienced it yet himself. He liked it. A lot.

You’re welcome. Get some rest. See you tomorrow.

See you…

He locked his phone and stuck it in the pocket of his hoodie.

“I’m not sure who was on the other end of that text thread,” said Eva, standing at the base of the porch, “but the goofy grin on your face makes me think…female.”

She had come around the back of his cabin, and he’d been so lost in thought he hadn’t seen or heard her arrive.

“Would you like to know?”

She climbed the steps and hugged him as he stood from his chair. “Is that a question? I’m your nosy little sister. Of course I would like to know.”

“Too bad.”

She rolled her eyes and he laughed as they went inside, Dottie ambling behind them. They set up Eva’s laptop at the table again and clicked the link for the video call.

They popped up on the screen one at a time, much like before. But this time, to Chet’s surprise, his dad’s face was in the screen next to his mother’s. Relief flooded him. After what his mother had said, he expected to see his dad aged ten years. Butother than his eyes looking a little tired, he appeared as straight-backed, stubborn-chinned, and healthy as always.

“Hello, my children.”

“Hi, Mom,” they said in unison.

“It’s good to see you, Dad.” Eva’s smile said she was feeling the same relief Chet was.

“Nice to see you, too, although I don’t know why your mother insists on all this fuss. I’m fine.” With a tendency to be a little gruff at times with an occasional side of grumpy, his dad sounded just fine to Chet. Not one to back down easy, if ever, Allister Endicott was as tough as they come.

Chet noticed each one of them relax a bit.

“That’s enough, Al.” His mother put her hand on his arm. “I’m going to get right to the point. Your father’s doctor did some tests, and although most of them look pretty good, he did recommend less stress in his life.”

“That’s not news,” Angelica said.

His mother ignored the remark. “Having said that, we feel—”

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