“I said, they’re busy tonight.”

 “They usually are on a Saturday night.”

 They stopped inside the door, searching for a free table, but it took a few minutes for one to become free. Willa felt the curious gazes directed toward them as they waited, so she was relieved when the waitress escorted them to a large table at the back.

 The younger girls were settled at the table before Willa took a seat. Lucky sat down next to her with Leanne and Charlie sitting across from them. She tried to relax as if it was a normal thing to sit at the table with Lucky.

 “Do you know what you want, or do you need me to come back?” The waitress paused.

 “We can order and save you a trip.”

 Willa caught the grateful smile from Ginny. She was unaware the former foster child of the Wests had begun working here.

 Willa ordered meals for Chrissy and Caroline and let Charlie and Leanne order for themselves. Lucky ordered a steak and fries.

 “How about you, Willa?” Ginny gazed at her expectantly.

 “I’ll just take a coffee.”

 “Bring her the same as I’m having.” Lucky closed the menu, handing them to Ginny who took off in a rush before Willa could change the order.

 “I’m not hungry. I had a big lunch,” Willa snapped.

 “This is dinner. If you can’t eat it all, I can finish it. I’m starved. It’s been a long day.”

 Willa felt terrible. If not for his help, she would have been sitting home alone tonight, crying her eyes out over the children who were sitting happily at the table next to her. Not to mention, he did look exhausted.

 “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like a witch.”

 “It’s cool. I imagine you had a terrible night. Attitude in a woman never bothers me. I can hold my own ground.”

 Willa nodded. She didn’t doubt that for a second.

 It didn’t take long for their meals to arrive. The younger girls played with their food more than they ate, but the atmosphere at the table wasn’t as uncomfortable as Willa had thought it would be.

 The other restaurant-goers eventually stopped staring at them, and she was able to relax and finish most of her meal. Lucky ate his own then sat back, enjoying his coffee.

 “That won’t keep you awake tonight?”

 “Six cups of coffee couldn’t manage that tonight.”

 “You didn’t sleep well?”

 Lucky’s face became closed-off as he motioned for Ginny to bring their check. Willa didn’t miss the strain on the woman’s features when she laid the check on the table.

 “I didn’t realize you were working here,” Willa probed delicately.

 Ginny paused in her frantic pace to wait on her customers. “I was fired from my last job.”

 “I was wondering where you were the last time I stopped in at the insurance office.”

 Ginny didn’t explain why she was fired, and Willa didn’t probe further, only nodded sympathetically. It was hard to have your income depend on another.

 “I have to work two jobs to make up for losing that one. I’m also working at the theatre.”

 “I imagine working two jobs can’t be easy.”

 “I’d rather work four jobs than put up with old man Dawkins.”

 Willa didn’t blame her. Carter Dawkins was as unlikable as his son.

 “I didn’t mean to upset you. If there’s anything I can do, let me know. If I open the bakery I’m planning, maybe I can offer you a job. But it’s going to be a while,” Willa added hastily.

 The woman’s face brightened. “Let me know. I don’t mind this one, but the theatre is third shift.”

 “I’d be glad to hire you.”

 “Thanks, Willa. I heard you’re engaged. Congratulations,” she said.

 “Thanks.” Treepoint’s grapevine had already been hard at work. “I’ll see you tomorrow in church.”

 Ginny moved away to wait on another table.

 “You always try to help everyone, yet you hate to take it yourself.” Lucky leaned down, picking up Chrissy.

 “She needs help. She looked exhausted,” Willa stated simply.

 “Who’s going to help you?” Lucky’s expression tightened.

 “I can handle it. I have a secret weapon.”

 “You do?”

 “Yes, it brings the girls to a stop for at least a good hour a day.”

 His mouth twitched. “What’s that?”

 “Peppa Pig. I’ve recorded every episode,” Willa said fervently.

 He burst out laughing as he stopped long enough to pay the check.

 Feeling the center of attention again, Willa fled outside to wait, practically running into the man and woman about to enter the diner.

 “Watch where you’re going!”

 Willa came to a sudden stop at Jenna’s harsh command.

 “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” She tugged Caroline closer to her to give Jenna and Curt Dawkins enough room to pass.

 Curt held the door open for Jenna as she walked past her, deliberately knocking Willa back a step.

 Willa gasped as Caroline fell down.

 Jenna didn’t pause, throwing a gloating look over her shoulder, and a flash of fury struck Willa.

 “Leanne, take Caroline and Charlie to the car.”

 Before the girl could say anything, Willa went through the door after Jenna and Curt.

 Lucky was turning away from the cash register, giving her a questioning look as Willa moved in front of Jenna, blocking her.

 “If you don’t like me, that’s fine, but don’t you dare touch one of those children again.”

 Jenna cast a wary glance toward Lucky. “It was an accident.”

 “Usually, when you have an accident, you apologize.”

 No apology was forthcoming from her, and Willa could tell she wasn’t about to get one.

 “If you have a problem with me, take it out on me, but don’t ever think I’ll stand by and watch you hurt someone I care about to get back at me.”

 “I don’t have a problem with you, Willa. You’re not that important to me,” Jenna said cuttingly.

 “The feeling’s mutual.” Willa brushed rudely past her, for once happy that her weight came in handy. She knocked Jenna against an empty table, and Jenna would have fallen if Curt hadn’t grabbed her arm. Willa waited for Jenna’s reaction, stubbornly refusing to leave before Jenna could.

 The woman regained her footing, giving her a hateful glance.

 “Let’s go eat, Curt.” With that, the pair moved away.

 “You want to go after her and beat the shit out of her, don’t you?”

 Willa took a shuddering breath at Lucky’s amused question.

 “Don’t cuss in front of Chrissy,” she reprimanded.

 “Yes, ma’am.”

 She gave him a frustrated glance before going out the door. It was his fault the woman hated her guts. Jenna had been a cordial, if not friendly, neighbor before the day his motorcycle had been spray-painted. Willa believed Jenna blamed one of the children for the damage. For all she knew, Jenna might think she had done it.