Free Banished (A Retribution Novel) by Cindy Stark Page A

She certainly wasn’t dominating her life.
    “Sure thing. I’ll bring it right out. Care for an
appetizer?”
    Violet smiled. “I’m having a serious craving for
onion rings, but I think I’ll wait for my meal.”
    The woman nodded. “I’m Flo, by the way.”
    “Violet,” she said, appreciating the woman’s
kindness and warm manner.
    “Nice to meet you, Violet. I’ll be right back with
your beer.”
    Flo’s wide hips swung as she waddled away, and
Violet smiled as she relaxed into her seat. Good people. Good food. What more
could she ask?
    A round of male cheers filled the space, and she
turned to the group of guys who watched the overhead television and celebrated
a touchdown. Sadness pierced her as a memory sprung to life. Her dad used to
like to watch college football, too.
    Flo returned with a frothy golden beer and a
basket of beer-battered onion rings. Violet glanced at the waitress’s face in
question.
    “On the house.” She smiled. “I brought ranch
dressing to dip or there’s ketchup on the table, but if you really want a
treat, try the garlic aioli dip in this container.”
    Violet lifted one of the crispy rings and dipped
it in the sauce. A medley of flavors melted on her tongue, enhancing the taste
of the onion rings.
    “Oh my goodness.” She held a hand in front of her
mouth as she spoke around her food. “This is so good.”
    Flo grinned. “A house specialty. I also recommend
the halibut fish and chips.”
    “Done. If they’re half as good as these, I’ll be
in heaven.”
    “Smart girl.” The smile lines in her cheeks
deepened. “I’ll put your order in, but then I’m going to take a break and get
off my feet for a bit. Tanna will bring your food out when it’s ready.”
    A craving for company nudged her. “If you don’t
have anything particular in mind, maybe you could take your break out here,
with me? I hate to eat alone, and I was hoping to visit with some of the locals.”
To find out if there were any computer specialists in town who were capable of
breaking a password, but she needed to get to know someone before she sprang
that question.
    Her smile warmed considerably. “Well, aren’t you
sweet? I’d love to darlin’. Let me grab my iced tea, and I’ll be right back.”
    She returned a few minutes later with an icy glass
full of brown tea and slipped onto the seat opposite Violet. “I’m getting too
old for this business. Normally, I spend most of my time in the kitchen, but
we’re down a waitress, and I need to keep my customers happy.”
    “Have you been doing this long?”
    “About forty years. The place used to belong to
another couple, and I started working here as a teenager. For years, they
talked about selling when they got a little older, so I saved my money. When
the time came, me and my husband bought them out. It’s been a good life. I like
living by the ocean, but I’m getting tired.”
    “Does your husband work here, too?” Hopefully, she
had someone to help her.
    “Husband died a few years back.” She took a drink
of her tea.
    “I’m sorry. I’m sure that must have been hard. My
father passed away recently, too.”
    Flo shook her head. “Yeah, death is a bitch. It
forces us all to rethink our lives and adjust our way of living, doesn’t it?”
    “It does.” It had certainly done that for her.
“What about children?”
    A twinkle appeared in her eye. “The good Lord
blessed me with one son, a man I admire more than anything. I’d reached the point
in my life where I didn’t think I’d have any kids, but God had other plans.”
She glanced toward the group of men engrossed in the football game. “I expect
he’ll show up sometime soon since most of his buddies are here already.”
    Violet turned to the group of good-looking men.
“Sounds like they’re enjoying the game.”
    “Oh, yeah,” Flo said as Tanna brought her fish and
chips and a smaller plate of the same for Flo. “Thanks, darlin’.”
    “Wow,” Violet said as she