Sweet Blessings (Love Inspired) by Jillian Hart Page A

bird had nestled between the rod of the umbrella and the folded tablecloth yet to be spread out. “This isn’t a safe place for your babies anyway.”
    The robin cocked her head and chirped before lifting her wings as if ready to fight.
    He really ought to step in and help Amy out, but this was a wild bird. Surely it would take off at any minute.
    But it didn’t. Amy deposited the twigs in a small bag she’d produced from her pile of cushions and tablecloths in disarray on another tabletop.
    â€œI’m really sorry,” she explained as she sprayed down the table and wiped it clean. “You have to find somewhere else to make your home.”
    The bird didn’t move.
    â€œPlease, shoo.” She waved her hand at the robin,who still refused to fly off. “The health department won’t like it if you live here. Go. Shoo.”
    The robin chirped angrily before deciding to retreat to the fence.
    â€œGood. Thank you.”
    Amy disappeared inside the restaurant, absorbed in her work, moving quick and fast. Her hair was wet from showering and pulled back at her nape. She didn’t see him standing on the other side of the gate.
    He didn’t want to startle her, so he was glad the latch squeaked and the hinges rasped as if they hadn’t been opened in years. It was enough noise that she popped her head out the door, spotted him and smiled.
    â€œGood morning. You don’t know how happy I am to see you. This is by far our busiest time of the week. Sunday brunch.” She was friendly but all business as she led the way to the coffeepot and reached down two cups. “Don’t tell me you’re drinking that instant stuff someone left in the cupboard about five years ago?”
    â€œIt tastes all right.”
    â€œNo it doesn’t.” With a smile, she took his cup and gave him a fresh one.
    He breathed in the good-quality coffee. “Thanks.”
    â€œRachel said you did great last night and that you’ve worked a few grills before, from the looks of it. She was very impressed.”
    â€œI worked at a truck stop in Dillon for a time. A few other places before that.”
    That explained it. Amy dumped creamer into her cup, gave thanks and drank deep. The rich taste soothed her. She’d been up late last night, going over the books as she’d promised her sister. Rachel was starting to be much better at bookkeeping than she would admit, but Amy knew she wasn’t the most confident person. She’d double-checked her sister’s work, just so Rachel would rest easy. Everything was right, squared away and ready for Paige’s inspection later this afternoon.
    â€œDo you think you’re up to manning the grill? It’ll take two to keep up, once church lets out.”
    â€œI’m up to it.”
    â€œGreat.” With coffee in hand, she rushed back to the side door, calculating how much she could get done in the time she had left. There were the tables to wipe, the cloths to spread out and anchor down, the new cushions to put in every chair, and she wanted a good sweeping before—
    Wings fluttered in the air in front of her face. It was the robin. The bird had apparently taken her advice, the tabletop would not make the best place to raise her family, and now she was starting a nest in the spokes of one of the umbrellas.
    â€œNot again.” Amy skidded to a halt as the bird lighted on a chair back and glared right back at her.
    â€œThis is why I can’t grow flowers or a vegetable garden. I can’t chase anything off. Not the deer that walk right up to my home and eat my lilacs and carrot tops. Not even a bird who should know this is a bad place to build a nest.” She looked at her watch. There was no way she had time to wage a battle of any kind. “Could I ask you—?”
    â€œSure.” He moved past her, waving his free hand. “You have to find a better place, sorry.”
    The robin took one