Page 8 (1/2)

Ruby’s head bobbed up and down “Tonight’s special You want a menu?”

“Nope Already made up my mind”

The other woman lifted her arms in the air “No one ever wants a menu” She wore one of her infa “Bombshell” across her ample chest

“You know you’re late,” Ruby told her “Your party’s already here They were gettin’ worried about you”

Ginger didn’t want to think of the ordeal she’d experienced this evening, which had hts of Ryan remained front and center in her mind

“I’ll find the to take

She wove her way through the packed dining roo the Bains She wondered if they knew their nephew had returned, suspecting not, since he likely would have had dinner plans with the and wouldn’t have previously been at the diner across the street fro a srateful

Reaching the back of the room, she quickly scanned it and spotted her friends at a round table that sat six She instantly regretted not having invited Ryan to join thelance over her shoulder at his aunt and uncle, she knew she alking a fine line with them and didn’t need to add more tension to the precarious situation

“Hey, there you are,” Liza said as she pulled out the chair beside her and Ginger sank into it “We were just about to call out the cavalry You didn’t answer your cell, and the phone at your shop had a busy signal for about fifteen e were ready to storm your store”

With a dismissive wave of her hand—and what she hoped was a nonchalant look on her face—Ginger said, “I had some business to take care of”

“What happened to your elbow?” Jess asked, concern in her eyes

“Just clue Mills, she said, “Sorry to keep you guys waiting It ht’s special smells fantastic”

“We ordered the second alked through the door,” George said, “but told Ruby to wait to serve us until you arrived Wine?”

“Oh hell, yes,” she said, in need of soe off from the incident in her shop as well as the frenzy Ryan sparked inside her

George poured her a glass and handed it over After a sip, she confided, “So I have to tell you who’s back in town”