Hope Smolders by Jaci Burton

I thought we’d give them some business.”
    “I saw that sign go up last week. Sounds great.”
    New business was always something exciting in Hope. The parking lot was full because, like them, folks in town tried to check out new restaurants. There was a line waiting for tables, and the owners were enthusiastic and welcoming. And oh, the place smelled fantastic, which was a very good sign. After about fifteen minutes they were seated at a charming table by a window.
    One of her former students scurried over to take their order, another girl trailing behind her.
    “Mrs. Kline,” she said. “How are you?”
    The one thing about small towns was you couldn’t escape running into someone you knew. “Hi, Melanie. Nice to see you. Are you still on school break?”
    Melanie gave Will the once-over, and then grinned. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be heading back to school in about a week, but since the Serranos are friends of my parents and theirrestaurant is new, I’m picking up a little extra money before I go by helping them train the new staff. This is Tina, by the way. She’s the trainee.”
    Will and Jane both said hello to Tina. Jane didn’t recognize her, so she wasn’t in any of her math classes.
    “That’s right,” Jane said to Melanie. “I remember you used to work at Bert’s when you were in high school.”
    Melanie nodded. “And I waitress part time during the semester in college.”
    “How’s it going at Oklahoma State?”
    “Great. Still making A’s in all my math classes, thanks to you.”
    “That’s good to hear. You always were one of my best math students. Have you decided on a major yet?”
    “I’m in premed right now.”
    She always knew Melanie would go far. “Excellent. Your parents must be so proud of you.”
    Melanie beamed. “Thanks. What can I get for you two?”
    “I’ll just have iced tea.”
    “Same here,” Will said.
    “I’ll be right back. Our special tonight is chicken parmesan. Gail and Orlando make the best. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
    Melanie hurried off, and Will met her gaze. “A good student?”
    “A great one,” she said. “If they were all like her, my job would be so easy.”
    He laid his menu to the side. “Now what fun would it be if it were easy?”
    She laughed. “Believe me, I’d love easy.”
    “So would I.”
    She closed her menu, too. “Did you have a challenging day?”
    “I’ve had several. You’d think living in a small town it would be quiet and boring here. But it hasn’t been that way lately.”
    “Hey, I drive on the highways. They’re never quiet or boring.”
    Melanie came back with their drinks. “Have you decided what you’d like?”
    “I’m going with the special,” Jane said.
    “Ditto,” Will added.
    Melanie scooped up the menus. “You won’t regret it.”
    After she left, Jane took a glance around. The place was packed and noisy, plus there was music. There was no time like the present to clear the air between them. She’d put it off long enough.
    “I’m sorry for avoiding you.”
    He shrugged. “It’s okay. You’ve been busy.”
    “That’s true. But I’m always going to be busy. That was no reason to ignore your calls. You were so nice to me and to Tabitha that night. And I was rude to you by not talking to you afterward.”
    “I didn’t expect thanks, Jane.”
    “I know that.” She looked down at her hands, clasped them together. “It’s just that I have some issues regarding men and dating and I’m trying to work past them.”
    He laid his hands over hers. “I’m in no hurry. We’re not running a race here, you know.”
    She lifted her gaze to his. “Thanks for being understanding.”
    “Yeah, that’s me. An understanding guy.”
    She sensed the undertone there, that maybe this wasn’t all water under the bridge, but she let it go when their salads and bread arrived. Hunger took precedence over everything, even a pissed-off man.
    After dinner, he took her to a movie. When was the last time