There was nothing he could say to make her open up. Women weren't Rhett's best subject, but he knew fear and stubbornness well enough to see it spades in the eyes that danced up briefly to meet his. Something was keeping her quiet, and the man had seen enough Hallmark movies and Dateline specials to grasp that it wasn't pleasant memories that was keeping her mouth shut. His pushing would only close her up more, maybe even make her leave, and that wasn't what he wanted.

Rhett called up his most charming, laid back smile. It was an expression everyone but his mother was fooled by, and he tossed in a hint of relieved embarrassment in his voice to-hopefully- settle the tension. "Well, my mama always did say that my nose was too pointy for my own good. And now it's landed my foot right in my mouth. Just ignore the crazy. We've got a special tonight for Fridays, catfish and potatoe wedges, served with coleslaw. We've also got our night owl menu on the board," he gestured to a chalk sign tacked to the far wall. It was mostly burger and fry combos, though pancakes and a few breakfast items graced the menu.

"As for a place to stay, there are a few hotels in town. Cheapest would be the Motel 6, most comfortable would be Maggie's B&B. Plent in between those two."