Fries Before Guys (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 5) Read online

  “Right. An early bird special coming right up.” Katy beamed and whisked away to the kitchen.

  Tammy was about to stop her and tell her not to bother, but she was already out of earshot and Tammy didn’t want to be rude. She sighed slightly, still a little depressed about the whole date fiasco. Last night, she had done nothing but think about it.

  Her dreams were plagued by images of her growing old and alone. She feared the possibility of never finding someone. People kept telling her she was young and that she would eventually find someone, but at age thirty, it was hard to remain optimistic. She wasn’t getting any younger, and there weren’t that many single men just hanging around. Even when there was, they were usually jerks. It seemed like Tammy could never win.

  “It’ll be out in just a jiffy.”

  Katy appeared before Tammy, making her jump.

  “Really Katy, you didn’t need to do this for me. I’m okay. I don’t want to be a burden,” Tammy murmured, trying to defend her dignity. She didn’t want to be some sort of charity case.

  “Nonsense,” Katy assured her, flicking her wrist in dismissal. “So, how are you holding up?”

  “I’m alright, I guess.”

  “Still down about the date?” Katy started to refill the napkin holders as she kept up the conversation.

  “Yeah… I couldn’t sleep very well last night,” Tammy admitted.

  “Well, I’m sure once you get a good breakfast in your system, the day will look a whole lot better,” Katy said cheerily before the sound of a sharp bell echoed throughout the diner, and Katy stepped away to grab Tammy’s order. She came back, placing a plate full of bacon, eggs, and home fries in front of Tammy. “Home fries, just for you.” She winked in Tammy’s direction.

  Tammy laughed and nodded in appreciation. She started to eat her breakfast when the front door chimed at someone’s arrival.

  “Jack! Good to see you!” Katy’s loud, cheerful voice broke through Tammy’s train of thought.

  Tammy looked up, only to see Katy greeting a tall, handsome individual with black hair. She bit her lip and looked away, not wanting to be impolite.

  “And little Dixie, what a pleasant surprise. Shouldn’t you be in school, young lady?” Katy knelt down to look the little girl in the eye.

  “She should… but she got in trouble.” Jack mumbled, looking down at his daughter, holding her hand. “The principle called me, and I had to go pick her up. So, I’m a little later than usual.”

  Jack watched Katy ruffle Dixie’s brown hair and stand.

  “I see,” Katy said and then looked at Jack.

  He could have sworn he’d seen something brewing in her eyes. The look was the same one his daughter wore when she had made him a surprise. A surprise that he was never sure if he would love or wonder what the little girl had been thinking.

  “Your timing is perfect! You missed the rush. The usual?” Katy asked.

  Jack nodded. Katy moved toward the counter and Jack searched the diner for a place to sit. He was going to walk to one of the back booths when he heard Katy’s voice and turned toward her.

  “Why don’t you sit near Tammy?”

  That mischievous look flittered across Katy’s face for a second, but Jack barely registered it. His attention was instantly monopolized by a redheaded, eating alone at one of the barstools. She reminds me of that Ariel Princess Dixie loves. He couldn’t fathom why she was eating all by herself.

  Katy had seen Tammy take several peeks at Jack, and if the look Jack had on his face was any indication, then he was already a goner. Katy felt a hum of satisfaction in her chest and resisted the urge to dance with sheer joy.

  One of her favorite parts about matchmaking was the first introduction. It was so sweet, innocent, and filled with the wonder of future possibilities. Katy had no idea why she possessed such an amazing gift to know just which hearts would match up, but she cherished the pleasure she could find for others. If it was only that easy to find someone for myself. Katy shook off the thought. She could find love for others, and that’s just what she’d do!

  “Tammy,” Katy said and gestured to Jack. “This is Jack Ferguson. He’s a professor at the University of Berkeley. One of my regulars. I thought you might appreciate his company.”

  Chapter 3

  At first, Tammy was shocked when Katy mentioned that Jack should sit by her. Her surprise quickly turned to annoyance. How could she set me up like that? She knows my new motto. Fries before guys!

  “I hope you don’t mind,” a smooth, confident voice said.

  Jack’s voice broke into her internal rant, and Tammy’s heart flipped over in her chest. His deep voice was just the right pitch to make her insides shiver like she’d eaten the best piece of chocolate in existence. Tammy felt her irritation at Katy slip away, and when Jack’s green eyes swept over her, she couldn’t even remember being upset.

  “Not at all,” Tammy said, quickly wiping her mouth and hands. “I’m Tammy Kratz, by the way.” She held out her hand.

  “Jack Ferguson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He squeezed her hand in a firm handshake before sitting down on the stool beside her. His tiny daughter, who looked to be about five-years-old, scampered onto the stool next to him, sitting there with an angelic look on her face.

  “And who’s this little cutie?” Tammy inquired, looking in the girl’s direction. Her long, brown hair was gathered up in a messy ponytail. Tammy guessed it was her father’s doing.

  “This is my daughter, Dorothy.” He pulled her onto his lap.

  The little girl looked up at Tammy with bright blue eyes and stated, “I like being called Dixie better.”

  Tammy smiled at the little girl. She could appreciate a girl who knew what she liked and didn’t. “What a beautiful name. I’m Tammy.” Once again, she held out a hand.

  Instead of shaking it, Dixie lunged forward, wrapping her arms around her. Tammy was taken by surprise and lost her balance, her body collapsing into Jack. Fortunately, he was strong enough to keep them both upright.

  Their faces were inches apart. Tammy caught her breath and stared into Jack’s piercing green eyes.

  “I’m so sorry about that… I must’ve told her a million times not to do that to people…” Jack muttered under his breath, looking away.

  Tammy righted herself on her stool. I’m not sorry. Who could be sorry, when you’re that close to perfection? Tammy calmed her racing heart and said, “It’s fine. I’m used to kids and know they do the most unexpected things.”

  She offered the girl a smile, but it seemed that Jack wasn’t going to let Dixie get away with it. He set the girl down and nudged her toward Tammy.

  “I want you to apologize to the lady. This instant.” Jack's voice was firm but still filled with affection.

  Dixie looked up at Tammy with those bright blue eyes and smiled. “I’m sorry!” Her voice was sweet and chipper. Tammy could feel her heart melting as she regarded the little girl who rocked on her feet and held her hands behind her back, appearing completely innocent.

  “I won’t do it again,” Dixie promised.

  The light dancing in Dixie’s eyes guaranteed anything but compliance to her father’s wishes, but Tammy was absolutely enchanted with the girl’s demeanor.

  “Oh sweetie, it’s fine. How about you give me a proper hug?” Tammy got down and kneeled to be eye level with the child. Opening her arms, she wrapped them around Dixie who giggled and hugged her back tightly.

  “You’re really pretty. Just like one of my princess dolls!” Dixie exclaimed when the hug was over. “What’s your name?” she asked eagerly.

  “I’m Tammy, and it’s a pleasure to meet you Dixie, but shouldn’t you be in school?” Tammy raised an eyebrow at the small child.

  As a kindergarten teacher, she knew that most schools in the area were already in session. Luckily for her, Washington Elementary, where she taught, had a habit of starting two weeks late.

  “I got in trouble,” she admitted without a hi
nt of remorse.

  “Trouble?” Tammy could believe that of this little girl. She was well acquainted with the angelic-looking child with a mile-wide mischief streak. “Oh no. What for?”

  “There was this mean kid, Bobby. He told me that I looked stupid with long hair, and I said that’s not true. But then he pulled my hair,” Dixie said.

  Tammy could guess, but asked, “So, what did you do?”

  Dixie folded her arms across her chest and stated, “I punched him in the face.”

  Tammy held back her laugh. Yep. Dixie was a character. Tammy would have loved… and hated to have her in class.

  She nodded sagely to the little girl and said, “I guess your teacher didn’t like that.”

  “Nope! She sent me to the principal’s office.” Dixie leaned in to whisper into Tammy’s ear. “Want to hear a secret?”

  “Sure.”

  “The principal was really mad at first, but while we waited for Daddy, he gave me a sucker. But you can’t tell Daddy.”

  Dixie’s whisper was loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. Tammy glanced up at Jack who was pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Your secret’s safe with me,” Tammy whispered to Dixie, and then stood up to look at Jack.

  “She’s a bit of a trouble maker… It’s the first day of school, and she’s already starting fights.” Jack sighed and swung his daughter up, placing her on the stool. When they all turned around, Katy was standing there, smiling.

  “I’m glad you’ve all acquainted yourselves.” Her green eyes sparkled. “Here’s your order, Jack. An early bird for you and a smiley face pancake for little Dixie.”

  “Thanks, Katy.” He nodded at her, handing a fork to Dixie. “Don’t make a mess okay?” His daughter nodded as she instantly went for the chocolate chip eyeballs, quickly devouring them.

  Tammy laughed. “She seems like a handful.”

  “You can say that again. Ever since her mother, Ellie, passed away, it’s been hard raising her by myself.”

  Jack was surprised by his reaction. He rarely talked about his wife’s death with people he knew, let alone to strangers like Tammy. But today had been so difficult. He’d nearly had a heart attack while driving to pick his daughter from the principal’s office. Jack closed his eyes for a second. I really am trying. Please let it be enough.

  Jack felt a hand squeeze his shoulder and opened his eyes. Tammy’s blue eyes shimmered with empathy. For some reason, her concern made him breathe a little easier.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” Tammy said.

  “No. No. It’s okay. It’ll be three years soon.” Jack had almost come to terms with his wife’s death. It still left a hole in his soul, but he did his best to focus on what he had, his daughter. And that was the crux of his current problem, Dixie.

  “Regardless, it must be hard. You look so young,” Tammy commented.

  Some days Jack felt ancient, like when Dixie decided to fill the bathtub with Jello. “Not really. I’m thirty-five.”

  “Really? I’d have guessed twenty-eight… max.”

  Jack grinned. He couldn’t tell if Tammy was flirting with him or just being honest. It had been so long since he’d paid any attention to a female over the age of five that he felt unqualified to make that decision. But he felt a spark with Tammy that he hadn’t expected and, strangely, it was welcome.

  “I could say the same about you.” He grinned in her direction, hoping he managed to strike just the right tone, without being too over the top. “If I had to guess, I’d say you’re 25, right?”

  Tammy’s hands flew to her mouth. “I wish! I turned thirty last month.”

  “No way. You’re pulling my leg.”

  “I swear,” Tammy laughed.

  “Well, you don’t look a day over twenty.” He smiled warmly in her direction.

  “Now you’re just flattering me.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  She blushed and brushed her long bangs out of her eyes.

  Jack was struck by those eyes. They seemed to really see him as a man and as a person. He’d seen compassion in her eyes, but not pity. He hated seeing pity when he spoke of his wife. Tammy also scored points for dealing with Dixie. His daughter rarely shared secrets with anyone.

  Jack needed to know more about Tammy. “What do you do?”

  “I’m a kindergarten teacher at Washington Elementary,” Tammy answered.

  Jack put his hand over his heart. “As a parent of a kindergartener, I think you’re one of the bravest people in the world. Handling one is tough. Twenty or so would terrify me. So, I have to ask, do you like your job?”

  “Yeah. It’s amazing. I love working with the little ones. I know I’m the teacher, but half the time, they end up being the ones teaching me something.”

  “Yeah, I can understand that. I’m actually a professor at the University.”

  “Oh really? What department?”

  “Physics –” Jack was about to say something else when there was a loud crashing noise by his side. The whole diner was quickly cloaked in silence. He turned around slowly, only to find his daughter sitting there, fork in midair, and her plate shattered on the ground. “Dixie! What did I tell you?”

  “I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to.”

  She answered quickly, stuffing the piece of pancake on her fork into her mouth. Her face was covered in chocolate and syrup, and though she looked at Jack with an innocent expression, he knew better.

  “Don’t worry about it Jack,” Katy answered, appearing by Dixie’s side. “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”

  Katy looked down at the sweet, smiling girl and patted her head. “You didn’t do it on purpose, did you?”

  “No!” she chirped. “I was just explaining to my pancake how little boys shouldn’t pull girl’s hair when the plate just ended up on the ground.”

  Jack heard Tammy’s snort of laughter behind him. He took a deep breath and willed himself to find his inner patience. “Dixie--- “

  “I know just what you mean, Dixie. Happy face pancakes hate when little girls get their hair pulled. This one must have gotten a little too excited and jumped off the counter. I’ll go ask Clarissa to make sure she brings you another that won’t do that,” Katy said.

  Dixie giggled. “Make sure it has extra chocolate chip eyeballs, okay?”

  Katy winked at Jack and bent down to scoop the remains of the plate and pancake mess into a dustpan.

  Jack sighed. “I’m really sorry about this.”

  “It’s absolutely fine Jack,” Katy assured. “Pancake happy faces are very sensitive you know.”

  “Thanks, Katy, much obliged,” Jack said and turned to his daughter who still sparkled with light. She apparently loved the idea that pancakes had feelings. “Let’s not tell your breakfast any more stories. Just eat it, please?”

  Dixie nodded, and Jack turned his attention back to Tammy. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s okay. This sort of thing happens all the time. You wouldn’t believe how many items magically end up on the floor where I work.”

  Jack smiled at her, feeling himself becoming more and more comfortable around the kindergarten teacher.

  Chapter 4

  “Daddy.” Dixie’s meek voice was persistent as she tugged on her father’s sleeve.

  “Give me a minute,” Jack said, trying to keep his attention on Tammy as she recounted a story about a kindergartener.

  “Daddy!” she said again, still pulling at his shirt.

  He sighed and turned around. “Yes, what is it?” he asked.

  “Can Tammy come play with us?” he asked, her dimples on full display as she batted her eyelashes in her father’s direction.

  He hesitated, but then looked at Tammy, wondering what she would say.

  “Please!” Dixie got down and walked over to Tammy’s stool, looking up at her with big blue eyes. “You’re nice. I like you. Please come with us!” she begged sincerely.

  Dixie was never afraid to s
ay exactly what was on her mind, and Jack knew the exact look that she was giving to Tammy. She’s a goner. No one could resist his daughter’s puppy dog look.

  Tammy valiantly tried. Oh, how she tried to resist Dixie’s anime eyes and sweet dimples. Tammy was really enjoying Jack’s company. It was the best date she’d had in years, and it wasn’t even a date. If she spent any more time with Jack something horrible would happen. Tammy knew she should stick to her motto. Fries before guys. Tammy broke eye contact with the five-year-old just long enough to look at her plate. It was completely empty. Not a home fry in sight. She looked back to Dixie.

  That was a mistake. Dixie’s eyes had taken on this shining, unshed tear look. She feared that if she didn’t say yes the girl would burst into a glorious display of waterworks. I guess I ate my fries… So, technically fries did come before guys. Dixie’s lip quivered, and Tammy broke.

  “Well, I don’t have anything else to do today… Why not?” She shrugged and smiled at the little girl who someday would be able to take Hollywood by storm.

  Dixie’s eyes instantly lost the glassy look and sparkled with anticipation.

  “Really? Oh goodie.” She giggled and hugged Tammy’s legs. “Come on then!” She grabbed her hands, trying to pull her out of her seat.

  “Dixie, don’t do that.” Her father reprimanded her.

  “Sorry.” She kept doing it nonetheless until Tammy was standing.

  Jack rolled his eyes and stood up as well, towering over both Tammy and Dixie with his large stature. “But we have to go home and get Alfred first.”

  “Who’s Alfred?” Tammy questioned, glancing over at Jack.

  “He’s my best friend,” Dixie answered.

  “He’s our dog,” Jack clarified.

  “Ah.”

  “Yeah! And he loves to go out and play,” Dixie added in.

  “Do you mind?” Jack asked Tammy.

  “Not at all.”

  “Come on,” Dixie whined, grabbing Tammy’s hand and dragging her out of the restaurant.