Sarasota Dreams by Debby Mayne Page B

determination to explore her relationship with Abe. Her feelings couldn’t be denied, and she needed to put a stop to the negative thoughts that crept into her head. Mama’s words had been spoken during the worst of all times. Mary was now much older than Mama had been when she’d left the safety and security of her family’s home. Their lives were totally different.
    Grandma stood at the stove stirring something in a small pot. Without turning around, she asked, “Want some oatmeal before you go in to work this morning, or would you rather eat there?”
    Mary pulled a bowl from the cupboard and set it down next to the stove. “I’ll eat before I go in.” She leaned against the counter. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation last night.”
    Grandma sighed. “Sometimes you think too much. If you keep doing that, you’ll talk yourself out of happiness.”
    Mary laughed. “Not this time. I’ve decided to get to know Abe better and see how things go with him.”
    “You’ve known that boy for nine years, child. How much longer do you need to know him?”
    Abe’s words from when she’d cast out the same argument flittered through her head. “I want to know more about him as a man. If I went on the way he acted when we were kids, I’d run fast in the other direction.”
    Grandma cast a dubious look at Mary, then went back to stirring. “He couldn’t have been that bad.”
    “He wasn’t, but at the time I didn’t like it. His teasing irritated me.”
    “Hand me your bowl.” Grandma took the bowl from Mary’s hands and scooped some oatmeal into it. “So what do you plan to do to get to know Abe better?”
    “I’ll start by accepting when he asks me to do things.”
    “I thought you already did that.”
    “I did, but I didn’t make it easy for him. I’ve been very defensive around Abe. That will change now.”
    “Good. Now eat your oatmeal and get out of here so you can help with the breakfast crowd. I’ll be in after I get the kitchen cleaned up.”
    Mary gulped down her oatmeal then rinsed her bowl. She got her tote from her room, went outside, and put the bag in the basket of her three-wheeler.
    She’d always enjoyed the ride to work in semidarkness, when Sarasota still seemed like a sleepy little town. In just a couple of hours, they’d have bumper-to-bumper traffic and the sounds that went with it.
    From the moment she walked into the restaurant, Mary was busy waiting on tables, busing tables, and helping out in the kitchen. Her focus was on giving her customers—mostly tourists—what they needed.
    “Mary.”
    The soft male voice behind Mary stopped her. She slowly pivoted until she was looking into Abe Glick’s warm brown eyes. Her lips twitched as she smiled at him.
    His eyebrows shot up as surprise registered on his face. “You must be having a good morning.”
    “Yes.” Mary nodded as she held his gaze. “A very good morning.”
    Abe nodded toward a booth in the back. “Mind if I seat myself over there?”
    “That would be just fine. I’ll bring you a menu. Want coffee?”
    “Don’t worry about the menu. I know what I want. Just bring coffee, and I’ll give you my order.”
    “Okay, I’ll have it to you in two shakes of a horse’s tail.”
    Abe leaned away and grinned. “You certainly are in a good mood this morning. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you like this before.”
    Suddenly it struck Mary. Maybe Abe wouldn’t like her if he didn’t feel like he had to cheer her up. “Is that a bad thing?”
    “Neh. I like it.”
    “Well, good. Go have a seat, and I’ll be right there.”
    Mary didn’t waste any time getting Abe his coffee. She laid the napkin-wrapped fork, knife, and spoon on the table in front of him before lifting her order pad.
    “So how would you like your sugar and grease this morning, Mr. Glick?”
    The corners of his eyes crinkled as he chuckled. “What would you think if I told you I’ll eat whatever you think I should