Chapter 17

Friday

Jake followed Josh into a small and immaculate room that contained at least a dozen booths and tables.Several people were already seated around a large round table in the far corner of the room.

They walked up to the table,but before they took seats,Josh said,“Jake Sinclair,meet our little group.Claire,you know,and going clockwise around the table from her are Bert and Agnes Hall,owners of the café,Don Poucher and Tom Simpson,both of whom are farmers;and Daniel Whinnen,our doctor.Folks,meet Jake Sinclair,who’s taking Randy’s place.”

They sat at the table and Jake spent a few minutes chatting with the others.Then Agnes said,“I think it’s time to serve breakfast.”She and her husband left the table,and within minutes there were serving dishes in front of them containing sausage,scrambled eggs,biscuits,and grits.“Help yourselves,folks.You know we don’t stand on ceremony around here.Bert’s bringing the coffee pot.”