because the interview was a bust. I was just appreciating your daddy's humor. He must be a pistol."
"He was," Gracie said. "He's been gone a long time."
John sighed. Another faux pas. "I'm sorry. Where was your interview?"
"At a place called The Beef Master Grill."
"I pass that place every day going to work and coming home. What on earth happened?"
"I had an interview for a hostess job. I'm beyond being picky about a position anywhere, considering how long I've been out of work. I've had a lot of rejections since I got here, and this was my first positive response."
"I get that," John said. "It's about ninety percent of why I started my own business. I couldn't even get hired to park cars when I first arrived."
"Well, that actually makes me feel better," Gracie said.
John chuckled. "Happy to oblige. So, what happened to you?"
"I arrive. The manager comments about my unemployed status for the past nine years. I reminded him why, which I'd put on the application, and I point to my resumé, reminding him of my work history along with my degree, and that I had more than enough qualifications for a hostess position."
"Can I ask why you hadn't been working? Or is that too personal?" John asked.
"Not personal. Just a fact of my life. My mother was diagnosed with dementia, and I turned down the job I had waiting when I finished college to stay home and take care of her until she died," Gracie said.
John took a deep breath. "For nine years."
"Yes."
"Whoa."
"That doesn't even come close," Gracie said.
"Sorry," John said. "So, back to your interview."
Gracie sighed. "This is where it went downhill. Bottom line, the only qualifications he was interested in were how I looked, what I wore, and if my butt was sexy enough for the job."
John was stunned. "Are you serious? Do women always have to go through that?" he asked.
"I don't know what the protocol is these days, but I'm not working for a jackass."
John frowned. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine, and I got a phone call from the owner, Henry Owens, calling to apologize for what happened."
"I know Henry. I wonder how he found out?" John asked.
"Apparently, the staff told him the manager flipped out after I left. He wound up insulting some other employees, and they all walked out and called Henry. Then he fired the manager and was in the process of trying to get all the wait staff back when he called me. He kept apologizing, said he'd interview me himself tomorrow if I would want to reconsider."
"Are you going to?" John asked.
Gracie sighed. "I said I'd talk to him, but that's all."
John sighed. "What a horrible day you've had."
"Not as bad as the manager who got fired," Gracie said.
John chuckled. "True. I'd tell you about my day getting chased by a dog that got out of the neighbor's yard, but I don't think I can compete with your story."
"Oh no! Did he bite you?"
"No. He was chasing the mower I was on, just like he chases cars."
Gracie laughed. "Oh. That's a whole other scenario. Now that would have been a sight to see."
"You have the best laugh," John said.
Gracie was taken aback by the compliment. "I haven't used it a lot lately."
John thought back to the day in the Hard Luck when he'd asked if she was okay. Not yet, but I will be, she'd said. So now, he knew she'd been in exile with her mother, but he still didn't know what had happened. Something, or someone, had hurt her terribly.
"Will you go out with me sometime?" he asked.
Gracie's mind raced. There were times when you knew the words coming out of your mouth were going to change your life, and this was one of them.
"Maybe...probably... But I need to concentrate on finding work right now."
"No problem," John said. "Just knowing you're thinking about it works for me. Would it be okay if I wish you good luck again, or would you rather I keep my best wishes to myself?"
Gracie laughed. "I'll take your best wishes and say thank you."
"You're welcome. Sleep well, Gracie. It has been very nice talking to you."
"I liked talking to you, too," she said, and disconnected.
John didn't want to lose the connection, but she was gone. He had always been an all or nothing kind of guy, and he already knew he wanted Gracie.
Please God, let her want me back.
Gracie was still riding the high from their phone call as she turned off the