A Chance At Love

Chapter 2

They arrived at the restaurant, an old fashioned mom and pop type of place, it seemed that the place was packed with people.

"It seems everyone is here tonight..." Cassie exclaimed in awe, when they had driven through town earlier, it had looked so quiet. But, now it seems the place was buzzing with people.

"Yep...everyone comes to Granny's at least once or twice a week. Her meals are to die for." Janice eagerly stated, rubbing her hands together in glee.

"Now isn't that a sight for sore eyes..." A woman's voice spoke above the loud noises of the patrons, "Lil Janice and her Beau. Where have you been for the past few months? I sure missed your sunny personality around here."

"Granny!" Janice exclaimed, turning towards the woman who had spoken, moving forward and hugging her, "I missed you too and we have to catch up on all the local news, it's been like forever since we last spoke." Winking conspiratorially at Granny Anna.

Rolling her eyes, the woman as Granny Anna whispered in Janice's ears, "You sure don't know how to lie!" Turning her attention to the other two people in Janice's group, smiling at James and looking at the young woman next to him, "And who might you be my dear?" Extending her hand out towards the woman before her.

"Oh! How rude...this is my sister, Cassie." Janice butted in.

"Pleased to meet you Granny Anna,' Cassie spoke gently, extending her hand out towards the older woman, and "Janice has only good things to say about you."

"Hush now...I'm sure she exaggerated, I can be a nuisance with the best of them." Granny spoke, shrugging her shoulders, "Now...I've got a place where you can sit and relax." Turning on her heels and heading towards a table, indicating a place for them to take a seat, "Now, your food should be out in a few and drinks are on their way." Leaving them, to attend too her other customers.

"But...doesn't she need to take our order first?" Cassie asked, confused as she sat down, watching as Granny moved away from them.

"Nah...Like I said, just go with the flow. Granny knows best and you don't want to argue with her...it's a losing battle." Janice said.

And Cassie couldn't deny it, the meal set before her was fulfilling and divine. She didn't know how Granny knew, but the food presented to her, is what she would have chosen for herself...

Sitting back in her seat, Cassie took a sip of her coffee, watching the people still in the restaurant, it was quieter now, than when they had arrived. Only a few patrons left, some seating at the bar area and Granny behind the counter talking to a few.

One lone figure intrigued her, he was on the far corner of the bar area, hunched over. All she could see was that he was large in size. The side profile of his face, was slightly covered by his large Stetson. But, what she could make out, was that he seemed to have dark stubble and sharp angular cheeks. It seemed he was in a serious discussion with Granny and by the looks of it, Granny wasn't happy with his responses...

"That's Cole..." Janice whispered, as she caught her sister's eyes, "He is one of the local doctor's and a farmer in these parts. And he is single..."

Cassie looked at her sister and then back at the man her sister had mentioned, shrugging her shoulders, "I'm not looking for a relationship...so quit it." She said sternly, looking back at her sister, threatening her with a look if her sister attempted any matchmaking, "So...don't try anything!"

Janice knew when not to push it, smiling she got up, "I need to go to the ladies, Cassie won't you join me?" Bending down, giving her husband a kiss on his cheek, "Be right back..." Walking in the direction of the public toilets, not waiting to see if Cassie followed or not.

Cassie could only mumble in silent defeat, she knew her sister and if it was up to Janice, she would probably throw every single guy in her direction. Something that she wasn't ready for...

Following in her sister's wake, Cassie decided to hang around outside the toilets, more people watching, she really didn't need to go and she sure wasn't going in there, just so that her sister could lay it on some more.

In this position, she was slightly out of sight, but within hearing distance to most people near the bar, she was idly watching the comings and goings of the restaurant, when a deep voice reached out to her, "No...Granny...I don't need some stuck up city girl to keep me company." Cassie turned towards the voice and it was the man she had been watching, "But...Just give her a chance, Cassie seems to be a wonderful girl." Granny responded. "Again...No...I don't need a prissy girl, I find my own way!" Cole whispered aggressively, slamming his fist down on the counter. Making Cassie jump at the force, moving out of sight, she didn't want to be caught, hiding further in the alcove towards the toilet area.

Cassie didn't want to hear the rest of their conversation and it seemed that Janice wasn't the only one trying at matchmaking. She really needed to be on her guard around here, this vacation was meant to be a stress reliever and she sure wasn't looking for a relationship. And hearing by the vehemence in Cole's voice, neither was he...well, lucky for him, she didn't go for that type of thing anymore.

"What are doing...?" Janice whispered behind her, making Cassie jump.

"Nothing...just waiting for your lazy ass. Can we go now?" Cassie responded, avoiding the question.

Janice only shrugged, she knew something had happened and her sister was avoiding it, choosing not to comment on that, she tried a different option, "Sure, I just need to say goodbye to Granny and then we can be on our way..." Grabbing Cassie by the wrist, dragging her towards the bar area, stopping just behind Cole, "Hey Gran, dinner was lovely, my sister really enjoyed it." Looking innocently at the person before her, "Hey there Doc...long time no see." Keeping a firm grip on her sister's wrist.

Cassie couldn't believe the nerve of her sister and trying unsuccessfully to remove her wrist from her sister's grip was becoming futile. She looked pleadingly over towards James, hoping he could save her from his wife's ministrations. When she heard the last part to Janice's words, she stiffened, she was going to come face to face with the man who was dead set on not meeting her.