The Heart of Rue - A Modern-Day Story of the Book of Ruth

Three

Three

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? ~Ruth 2:3, 5

The Boss

The Welcome Wanderer Café is one of the most original eating establishments I have ever seen, and definitely a fun place to work. Decorated in an eclectic mix of old western and the Caribbean Islands, the dining room boasts a fusion of the best of both worlds. You would be hard-pressed to find another restaurant decked out with large palm trees in every corner, coconuts and seashells lining the soda bar, posters of sandy beaches interspersed with old, collector pics of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Charles Bronson. There is also a mechanical bull near the soda bar. Servers, bussers, and the host staff have the choice of donning either a western hat or an island chief headdress. It's total madness, but it works! The place is packed every night, except Sundays because the restaurant is closed.

Slapping the brown western hat on my head, I clock in and get to work. Evidently there had been a large party dining earlier because Shelton, a fellow busser, is still clearing several long tables before they can be divided up and placed back in their usual positions. Grabbing a buss pan and a wet towel, I help him clean the tables.

"Thanks, Rue." He looks up and smiles. "You're a lifesaver. I've got an early date and I don't want to be late picking her up."

I grinned. "Let me guess. Madison?"

He chuckled. "How did you know?"

"Oh, probably because you mention her name no less than fifty times during your shift and you're always smiling these days."

"How do you know I mention her that much?"

"Word gets around."

"Does it now?" he says with a laugh. "I admit it. I'm a goner. Next to you, she's the prettiest woman in this café." He winks.

"Yeah, whatever." Releasing an un-ladylike snort, I help him finish up and prepare the dining room for the dinner rush.

Heading to the kitchen, Shelton calls over his shoulder, "The boss is back from his trip. He had the grand opening for the other café in Denver and it went well. You will finally get to meet him."

"Cool. I look forward to it."

Truthfully, I am actually a little nervous, and I hope he will be pleased with my work. Lifting the heavy buss pan, I follow Shelton into the kitchen. We take our loads to the dishwashing area where I grab another tub and head back out to the dining room.

"Who is that?" Bo asks his manager as he watches the young woman leave the kitchen.

"That's Rue Atherton. I hired her a few weeks ago. The day I fired Tony for stealing the servers' tips, she came in for a job and I gave her his shift on the spot. She's very sweet, and she is an excellent worker. Very dependable and honest, but with such a sad story."

Chef and owner, Bo Greyeyes's interest is piqued. He watches Rue quickly re-enter the kitchen to switch her full tub for an empty one before heading out again. She is a beautiful woman, yet within his brief glimpse of her, even from a distance, he senses a vulnerability behind the gentle smile. Drawing Katherine back into the alcove near the walk-in cooler, he asks, "What's her story?"

Brushing a hand back through her tousled red curls, she releases a sigh and fills him in. "She and her mother-in-law moved here from Georgia about a month ago. Her mother-in-law and her family are from here. They settled in Savannah over ten years ago. Rue married the woman's son last year."