"I told you not to feed them," he snapped, loud enough for everyone in the diner to hear. "This is a business, not a homeless shelter."
Emily pulled her arm free. "They're freezing, Frank. One of them can barely hold his spoon."
"Then they can go somewhere else."
The older man sitting nearest the window slowly lowered his trembling hands. His faded military jacket was soaked with snow, and his companion was still struggling to catch his breath.
Emily reached into her apron and placed her last ten dollars on the table.
"Then I'll pay for their food."
Frank laughed bitterly. "Congratulations. You just spent your last money on two men who can't even afford dinner."
The elderly veteran looked at Emily's name tag.
"Carter?" he whispered.
"Yes, sir."
His expression changed.
"Was your father's name Daniel Carter?"
Emily froze.
Her father had been dead for eighteen years. She had never mentioned him to either man.
Before she could answer, the veteran reached into his worn leather bag and removed an old photograph.
And when Emily saw the man standing beside her father, she realized the stranger knew something her family had been hiding for nearly two decades.