Page 35 of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

Archer frowned back.

‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow,’ his dad said. ‘Love you, Arch.’

Archer sighed. ‘Love you, too.’

He ended the call and sat staring at the phone. He just couldn’t imagine how he would ever live up to his father’s example. It was like the guy had been born knowing what to do. Although Archer was too young to remember if or when his father had ever been uncertain or screwed up stuff. Was five still too young? Or would Olive remember every single one of his fuck-ups to relay to her future therapist?

Oh, God, he could only imagine what she was telling her current therapist!

He groaned, cradling his head in his hands.

‘Uh, chef?’ Maribel was leaning out the back door with a concerned look on her face.

‘Yes?’ He straightened against the brick wall behind him, attempting to look at least somewhat competent.

‘Cyrus says we’re out of zucchini for the sandwiches.’

‘How can that be?’

Maribel gave him a small smile. ‘A lot of lunch orders for that veggie sandwich.’

‘Oh.’ Something like pride filled his chest. He remembered what that felt like. ‘Tell him to sub in summer squash for today.’

‘Got it.’ She was about to turn to go back in, but gave him another once over. ‘Something wrong?’

He almost shook his head and denied anything being wrong, but Maribel had kids and it took a village, right?

‘Olive was sleepwalking last night. I’m worried she’ll get out in the middle of the night.’

‘Oh, I had a sleepwalker.’

‘You did? Please tell me you didn’t have to sleep outside their door until they turned thirteen.’

She laughed. ‘No, no. Just put bells on the door.’

‘Bells?’

‘Yeah, we pulled some out of the Christmas decorations and tied them around the doorknob. That way, if he tried to open the door we heard him.’

‘That’s brilliant.’

‘Parenthood makes you resourceful.’

‘Something to look forward to, I guess.’

She gave him another sympathetic smile, but not like she felt bad for him, just that she understood what he was going through.

‘If it makes you feel any better,’ she said, ‘my kid never tried to go anywhere. We’d just find him on the couch or sometimes in his sister’s room. Once he curled up in the dog’s bed and went back to sleep.’

He chuckled. ‘That does make me feel better, actually. Thanks.’

‘Of course, chef. I’m here if you need anything.’ She ducked her head with another small smile and went back into the diner.

And just like last night with Iris, things felt a little lighter.

ChapterFifteen

Two days later, Archer had the day off—as enforced by Gladys, who insisted he needed to balance work with his new family life. After watching him pace around the house for the first half of the day, Iris suggested they go to the spring farmers’ market, mostly because he was making her crazy. Archer had perked up at that, and even though he was clearly planning to get things for the diner, Iris figured it still counted as a day off. Especially since Olive was along for the trip.