Free A Heart to Heal by Synithia Williams Page A

make a sandwich for dinner tonight. If I eat any more of my mom’s cooking I’ll gain ten pounds.”
    Roscoe laughed. “Girl, you don’t have to worry about weight. You look as good as you did in high school.” He nudged Devin. “Doesn’t she, Devin?”
    Devin cleared his throat. He quickly eyed her from head to toe. “Yes, Dad.”
    Even though it was a brief inspection, her stomach still clenched.
    Roscoe turned back to Shayla. “You can’t eat a sandwich for dinner.”
    Shayla smiled. “It’s the easiest thing for me to do. I haven’t bought groceries. I thought picking this up would be a quick meal.” She turned as the woman in line before her rushed back with another half a dozen cans of the correct soup. “It’s taking much longer than I thought.”
    Roscoe shook his head. “Nonsense. You are not eating a sandwich, and you don’t have to eat with your mom. Devin met me here to pick up a pack of chicken breasts to grill.” He leaned in and held a hand up to his mouth. “Devin’s got me on some low salt, low fat diet. Tastes horrible, but maybe he’ll let me put some real seasoning on it if you come to dinner.”
    â€œI don’t care who comes to dinner, I’m seasoning the food.” Devin said.
    Roscoe scoffed. “See what I mean, he’s trying to take everything away in my old age.”
    Shayla smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I’d like to take your side in this, Roscoe, but I’ve got to go with the doctor. He told me about your blood pressure. You need to keep it under control.”
    Roscoe frowned but his eyes twinkled with laughter. “Damn kids. Always ganging up on me.” He turned to Devin. “So you agree she should join us for dinner?”
    Devin’s mouth opened and closed a few times. “Um, I’m sure she has something else to do.”
    Roscoe scowled before turning to Shayla. “You don’t have anything to do except go home and eat a sandwich, right?”
    Shayla looked between the two. Common sense said stay the hell away from Devin and his dad, but she genuinely missed Roscoe and hadn’t talked to him since his wife died. Dinner with them would be the only reminder of the good times she had in the town. It wouldn’t hurt anything, or anyone, to indulge herself in this, would it? Plus, no one could accuse her of trying to get her claws in Devin if her arm was twisted by Roscoe to come to dinner. That was a lie, but she’d let herself believe it.
    She smiled at Roscoe. “Nothing at all planned. I’d be happy to eat with you two.”
    The lady in front of them finally completed her purchase and Shayla dropped her bread and lunch meat on the counter. Mr. Jones put the items from Devin’s cart on the counter and told the cashier he was paying for it all.
    Shayla shook her head. “Mr. Jones, don’t. I can pay for my own bread.”
    He gently pushed her past the debit card scanner. “I know you can, but I want to do this.”
    The cashier raised an eyebrow and looked between Shayla and Mr. Jones. Feeling the start of another rumor Shayla opened her mouth to protest when Devin spoke up.
    â€œJust let him get it. Otherwise he’ll stand here arguing all day.” He said with a grin.
    Overruled, Shayla stood out of the way and let Mr. Jones handle the rest of the transaction. Hopefully it wouldn’t get back to her mother that Devin’s father bought groceries for her. When he finished paying, Shayla followed them outside. “Thanks, Mr. Jones, although you really shouldn’t have.”
    â€œNonsense, you’re practically family. In fact, I used to hope you would be family one day.” He looked meaningfully between her and Devin.
    Devin cleared his throat. “Shayla, you can follow us to my dad’s house.”
    â€œDon’t waste the girl’s gas. She can ride with