Fries Before Guys (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 5)

by Ashley Lauren

  “Tammy!” Dixie squealed.

  For the second time that evening, Tammy was tackled, but this time, she managed to stay on her feet when Dixie sprang at her, wrapping her tiny arms around her body.

  “You’re all wet,” she giggled.

  “Yeah… thanks to you… but I’m not going to be the only one.” Tammy hurried to where the hose lay on the grass, grabbed it, and aimed it at the little girl who yipped as the cold water made contact with her skin.

  “It’s so cold!” She chirped and hid behind her father, hugging his legs and peeking out from behind him. Tammy ceased her onslaught and eyed the gentleman with a grin on her face.

  Jack took a moment to appreciate the situation. The smile on Tammy’s face and the sound of his daughter’s laughter were priceless. A part of the hole in his heart seemed to seal up and a bit of the weight he’d been carrying around lessened. This is what his crazy daughter needed. A wonderful woman in her life who would play with her and laugh. Maybe that’s what he needed, too.

  Tammy was swinging the hose around, and the water hadn’t hit him yet, but it was only a matter of time. He might as well choose when he wanted to enter the battle.

  Jack called out, “Careful where you point that thing…”

  Tammy’s gaze swung up to him. Jack held up both hands releasing the dog who raced to Dixie’s side. Hose in hand, Tammy took a step toward him.

  Jack tried to look innocent as he said, “I’m just an innocent bystander.”

  Tammy’s smirk deepened. “I’ll give you a three-second head start…”

  Without waiting, she sprayed him directly in the chest. He tried to get away, but the hose was powerful, and the stream kept following him across the small lawn. Jack ran away and then circled back toward Dixie, who was giggling hysterically.

  “I surrender! I surrender!” he yelled, falling onto the grass next to his daughter.

  The dog pounced on them excited to be a part of the game. He smeared his muddy paws all over them, barking happily.

  Tammy watched them with a smile. She allowed them to have their fun as she stood there, her hair, make-up, and clothes now ruined. At least she wasn’t alone in her disheveled state.

  Finally, Dixie’s giggles halted, and Alfred stopped licking them. Jack sat up to look at Tammy. The grin on his face stopped Tammy’s heart. She was used to seeing the look of sheer joy and innocent happiness shining from her classroom children. Five and six-year-olds could see the world and all its limitless possibilities. But this was the first time she’d seen the look on an adult. She had to hold back tears. It struck her that she had played a part in Jack finding that kind of joy with his daughter. And that was a gift more precious than any she had ever given before.

  Jack blinked at the look was gone, replaced with concern. Tammy hoped he hadn’t seen the sheen of tears in her eyes and taken their meaning wrong. I wasn’t upset. I was enchanted by you and your daughter.

  Jack got to his feet and made a sorry attempt to brush the mud off his pants. “Uhmm… Once again, I’m so sorry about all of this. I’ve told Dixie not to open that gate… or use the hose, but she just won’t listen.”

  He must have seen, and Tammy regretted that, but wouldn’t take back the flood of emotions she’d experienced for anything. It was something she’d cherish forever. Tammy didn’t trust herself to speak. She just nodded in reply.

  Jack looked at the ground for a second and then back at his daughter. “Anyway, let’s go inside and dry off before we all catch a cold.

  Chapter 8

  Tammy stepped into the kitchen after towel drying her clothes. They were still a little muddy, but at least they weren’t soaking wet. Her nose followed the scent of freshly made lasagna straight to the oven. She turned on the oven light and nearly drooled when she saw the heaping amount of cheese bubbling on the top. It looked amazing.

  “Careful,” Jack warned, snagging her around the waist and pulling her away before she could burn her nose trying to get a better view. He held her close to his body for a second and then, slowly, turned her around. Their eyes locked, and Tammy wasn’t sure what she saw in those eyes, but it was something she liked.

  Their lips seemed to almost gravitate toward each other. Tammy held her breath and closed her eyes, thinking the inevitable was about to happen. Before she could feel the sweetness of Jack’s lips, Dixie came bounding into the kitchen in her brand new, princess pajamas. Alfred scrambled after her, slipping and sliding on the freshly cleaned floor until he toppled into the couple, forcing them apart. Tammy nearly fell over but managed to cling to the counter for support.

  “What were you guys doing?” Dixie asked, tilting her head to the side.

  “N…Nothing,” Jack stammered.

  He looked away from Tammy, searching the kitchen. His eyes locked on some oven mitts. He snatched them up and put them on.

  As Jack busied himself with the lasagna, Tammy tried to get a hold of herself. Her hands were shaking, and her breath wasn’t quite even. Did that really happen? Did Jack almost kiss me? Tammy glanced over at Jack who looked right at home pulling a homemade meal out of the oven. He held the heavy dish without so much as a slight tremor. Apparently, I was the only one overly affected. That or I imaged the whole thing. Tammy sighed.

  Tammy’s upset didn’t last long. The whole room filled with an intoxicating aroma and Tammy realized she was starving.

  Without a glance at Tammy, Jack said, “Dixie, can you please set the table?”

  The little girl ran off, grabbing the plates. Tammy felt a bit out of place, not sure what to do.

  “Anyway I can help?”

  “No, you’re the guest. Don’t worry about it. Dixie and I can handle it.”

  Jack finally looked at her, offering a small smile. Then, he turned and headed into the dining room while carrying the lasagna. He set the dish on the dining room table.

  Tammy looked around the room, noting its luxury. There was a fine china cabinet in the corner, a large chandelier hanging overhead, and mahogany floor boards. Tammy found herself quite impressed by this man’s home. Not only was it beautifully built and furnished, but it was also amazingly clean and orderly for a single man with a young daughter.

  “Please, have a seat,” Jack urged, pulling out a chair for her.

  Tammy resisted the urge to look down at her muddy clothes and ruin the moment. He was treating her like a lady, and she was dressed like a surf. It just didn’t seem right. She’d never had a man cook for her, treat her as an honored guest, or pull out a chair for her. Jack just seemed too good to be true.

  Tammy smiled at Jack and took her seat, letting him help her scoot her chair in.

  “My daddy makes the best lasagna,” Dixie boasted as she waited patiently for him to dish her out a serving.

  “Corner piece for you Dixie?” he asked his daughter.

  “Yes, please!” she answered.

  Tammy couldn’t believe that Dixie was acting so well behaved at the moment. She’d been all trouble and uncontrollable giggles outside with Alfred.

  Jack smiled and nodded, cutting the piece out for her. “What about you, Tammy?”

  He looked up and their eyes locked across the table, sending shivers up Tammy’s spine. Her entire focus evaporated. She could barely remember her own name. All she could focus on were Jack’s warm, green eyes. They held such depth and intelligence in them that she couldn’t look away.

  Dixie slurped her milk with a flourish, and the spell was broken.

  “Um… any piece is fine.” Tammy held out her plate for him.

  Jack gave her a rather large piece before finally serving himself and sitting down. From that point forward, the dinner table was filled with light-hearted chatter as all three of them interacted together as if they’d known each other for years. They couldn’t stop laughing at Dixie’s horrible, but otherwise cute jokes.

  The worst and one Tammy had heard a thousand times was, “Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven, eight, nine.”


  Dixie thought it was hilarious and couldn’t contain her giggles. She laughed so hard at her own joke that she fell out of the chair.

  Tammy stood up, concerned.

  Dixie popped up from the ground and shouted, “I’m fine!”

  She hopped back into her chair and told another joke. Tammy shook her head, thinking that all kids really were the same in some ways.

  Throughout the dinner, Tammy kept glancing over at Jack who now wore a plain white t-shirt. The shirt had seen better days, but that didn’t detract from Jack’s looks or his appealing physique.

  As time went on, Tammy noted the differences between this dinner and the horrible one she had paid for a few days back. She smiled to herself, silently thanking Katy for introducing her to Jack in the first place. She hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. She just hoped this relationship would last and flourish into something more before it crashed and burned like most of her other failed attempts.

  As she worked on her lasagna, she wasn’t even upset that there were no fries. I should probably try to stick to my new motto for longer, but maybe this guy is even better than fries. She looked over at him, seeing his perfect smile and warm eyes. Her heart slowly swelled at the sight of him. Tammy crossed her fingers, hoping that Jack would disprove her newfound motto.

  Chapter 9

  About a week later, Tammy found herself walking to Cupid’s. Dixie was holding her hand and telling her all about how she dressed up Alfred as a princess and put little bows in his hair this morning. Her dad wasn’t too happy about it, but as usual, the not-so-sweet, little angel of a girl had gotten away with it. “Well, you’re going to be good for me, aren’t you?” Tammy asked.

  “Of course!” she chimed, nodding vigorously, her twin ponytails bobbing up and down on her head. “I would never be bad with you!”

  True enough, Dixie was usually well behaved whenever Tammy was around. Jack and Tammy couldn’t quite explain it, other than the fact that she really liked her. Jack thought that it could be the fact that she was a kindergarten teacher, and Dixie responded to that. Tammy wasn’t convinced. Dixie’s actual teacher had already called Jack two more times since the first incident.

  “Good. Well, if you’re really good for me, I’ll buy you a hot fudge sundae, and we can share. How about that?” She grinned when Dixie’s eyes grew wide.

  “Yes please!” she said eagerly, squeezing Tammy’s hand.

  Together, they entered the 50s-themed diner, the bell chiming behind them. Katy instantly noticed them.

  “Girls! There are two open seats at the counter,” Katy called and motioned forward.

  Tammy nodded and guided the little girl toward the two empty stools. She hoisted Dixie up onto hers and then sat herself down.

  “What are you two doing here? Where’s Jack?” Katy inquired.

  “Jack had some sort of a conference this morning so he asked me to look after Dixie,” Tammy explained.

  “Ah. So, I take it you and he are getting along quite well.” She winked at Tammy, a knowing smile on her face.

  “Yeah… thanks for introducing us.”

  Tammy realized the debt of gratitude she owed this woman. This past week had been one of the happiest weeks of her life, and it was all thanks to Katherine Cupid.

  “No need to thank me,” she said simply, handing Tammy a menu. “Now, what can I get for you today?” She flashed her famous smile, waiting with a notepad in hand, ready to take down their order.

  “I’ll have a basket of fries and chicken tenders,” Tammy answered and then looked over at Dixie. “What do you want, hun?”

  “Can I have a hot dog?” Dixie asked.

  “Of course.” Tammy turned her attention to Katy. “She’ll have the Jr. Frank meal.”

  “Coming right up.” Katy disappeared, giving their orders to the cook.

  “So, is there anything, in particular, you want to do today?” Tammy looked down at the little girl who was quietly coloring in a notebook.

  “Hmm, can we go to the mall?” She gave a toothy smile, hoping it would persuade Tammy. Her blue eyes shone with excitement at the prospect of going to the mall. “Daddy always drags me to the tool section, but I want to go look at dresses. He never takes me.” She pouted. “I don’t like tools.”

  Tammy chuckled at the little girl’s plight. She leaned in close like she was going to divulge some sort of secret. “I don’t like tools either.”

  Dixie’s eyes grew in surprise. “Really? I thought all adults do.”

  The astonishment in Dixie’s voice made Tammy smile. “I guess some, like your dad, like tools, but not me.”

  Dixie tilted her head to the side examining Tammy. “Do you like dresses?”

  “Definitely.” Tammy squeezed Dixie’s hand. “And I’d love to go to the mall with you.”

  Tammy could see the glee in the little girl’s eyes. Dixie lunged forward and hugged her. Tammy wrapped her arms around the girl, squeezing her in a tight embrace. They hadn’t known each other very long, but she felt like Dixie had been a part of her life for a long time.

  “When are we going?” Dixie asked.

  “We can go after lunch if you want.”

  She nodded vigorously in affirmation and then went back to coloring. Tammy looked up to see Katy, standing there with their orders. She placed the baskets on the counter and gave a heartfelt smile.

  Dixie perked up, pushing her notebook away, and began devouring her hot dog.

  “Wow, that was quick. Thanks, Katy.”

  “Well, we know how busy people are around here.” She placed her pad in her apron pocket and motioned for Tammy to move down the counter with her.

  Tammy leaned in to talk to Dixie. “I’m going to talk to Katy for a minute. You eat your hot dog, okay?”

  Dixie nodded without lifting her head from her basket. Tammy snagged a handful of fries from her own basket and moved down the counter.

  “Now, how’s everything going with Jack?” Katy said quietly.

  “Oh well…” Tammy’s cheeks turned red, thinking about Jack. His lovely smile. His gentlemanly manners. The way he put others before himself. He was the whole package. Everything she ever wanted in a man. “Good.” She smiled.

  “Just good?” Katy’s eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. “You’re looking after Dixie, his pride and joy. The fact that he trusts you with her has to mean something, don’t you think?” Katy pressed.

  “Maybe… I don’t know…” Tammy bit the corner of her lip. She didn’t want to give herself false hope that this man was legitimately into her. He seemed perfect… too perfect. There had to be something wrong. She worried he still missed his wife too much for a lasting relationship with her. There was sadness in Jack’s eyes, and she guessed it had to do with his wife. And it wasn’t only that Tammy worried about, she feared that Jack was more interested in her ability to keep Dixie from doing anything too mischievous.

  I really want this to work but… Tammy always started a relationship with high hopes, but each time she’d had her heart bruised or broken. She couldn’t fall into that trap again. It hurt too badly.

  Yet… she couldn’t get Jack out of her mind. Anytime her thoughts wandered, they would always find their way back to him. There was a yearning in her chest that she knew would never be satisfied until she found herself by Jack’s side.

  “I think he likes you just as much as you like him,” Katy grinned, her green eyes shining brightly. “I’m almost positive.”

  “How can you be so certain? His wife died only three years ago. I’m sure he’s still coping and not really looking for anyone right now.” Tammy nibbled on the end of a fry, letting out a sigh.

  “Or maybe he needs someone like you in his life, to remind him what happiness is all about.” Her suggestion made Tammy stop mid-bite. Could she really do that for him?

  “Maybe…” Tammy still wasn’t convinced.

  “Things will work out. Trust me. I have a feeling.” Katy winked and walked away.
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br />   Tammy watched Katy clearing off some dishes at the far end of the counter. I’m supposed to trust my future happiness on Katy’s hunch? Tammy was about to completely dismiss the idea when she remembered that Katy was the one who’d introduced her to Jack in the first place. Her fingers thrummed on the counter for a few seconds considering that thought. Maybe I should have a little faith and see how it works out. Decided, Tammy walked back to where Dixie sat. She got there just at Dixie popped the last bite of hot dog in her mouth.

  “Do you still want that ice cream?” Tammy asked while pinning a strand of the girl’s hair behind her ear.

  “No… I’m okay. I’d rather go to the mall. Can we get pretzels there instead?” Her expression looked eager. Tammy couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s enthusiasm.

  “Of course, we can, sweetie. Whenever you’re done with your fries, we can go.”

  Promptly, Dixie started to scarf down her food, trying to finish up as fast as possible.

  “Don’t hurt yourself now…” Tammy whispered, a little concerned that she might choke. “Make sure to chew properly,” she warned and yet, the last fry was gone in seconds.

  “I’m all done!” she mumbled through a mouthful of food.

  “Dixie, you know you shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.”

  “Sorry,” she muttered, still looking like a hamster who just stuffed half a dozen baby carrots in its cheeks.

  Tammy glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. The girl quickly got the message. She made an effort to chew her food properly and swallow every bite before taking a sip of her juice.

  “Sorry,” she said again. “Can we go now?”

  “Let me finish off the last of my food and pay.”

  A few minutes later, Tammy left enough money for the bill and a tip and walked out of the diner. To think that only last week she was complaining to Cupid’s owner about her horrible date and now, she was spending her lunch time with Jack Ferguson’s daughter. The thought put a smile on her face. It was funny how fast things could turn around.