Miss Irene gave a nod. “No, you need to get it done so she can get ready to do her nesting. It won’t take long to get his meal up.”
“Nesting?”
“Boy, for as long as women have been giving birth, that last six weeks is called nesting. It’s getting ready for the baby, putting everything just as they want it. Then moving it and doing it again. When they stop, their time is come. You’ll see – once we get you a wife.”
Bo’s brow arched. “Wife?”
Was it him, or did his voice just rise an octave as he uttered that fateful word. If Irene heard him, she didn’t let on. Instead, she walked away leaving him alone with this thoughts. He didn’t need a wife. He hadn’t even dated since Lori Smith dumped him five years ago.
Bo picked up his cup of coffee and stared into the dark liquid. They had been going hot and heavy in high school. He, and the whole town for that matter, figured they’d end up married after graduation.
“Yeah, that’s what I get for figuring,” he grumbled and took a sip.
He was only halfway through the first cup when Irene set the warm plate before him.
“Thanks.”
“Better eat fast, here comes that brother of yours and he’s in no mood for excuses.”
She flopped the menu down beside him. “Morning, Sam. Looks like I get the pleasure of both Walker brothers.”
“Morning, Miss Irene.”
Bo sliced through the warm biscuit and slathered it with the container of butter while his brother took his seat on the stool next to him.
“Morning.” Sam murmured.
His voice sounded a bit melancholy.
“Morning.”
Bo gave his brother a moment to study the menu. He watched as Sam put it down on the counter.
“Doesn’t it ever change?”
Bo drew the side of his mouth upwards in a half smile.
“If it did, we’d complain about choices.”
Sam gave a snort and folded his arms on top the counter before answering his baby brother. “You have a point there.”
“The usual?” Irene called out sliding a mug of coffee before him then picking up the menu.
“Yep.”
Bo waited until she moved away.
“You okay, Sam?”
His brother opened a packet of sugar and poured it in his coffee.
“I guess.”
Picking up the spoon, he began to stir.
“Ansley is just feeling a bit miserable in this heat.”
Bo didn’t say anything. He stared at the actions going on behind the counter.
“I was going over the plans today for the renovations. I think we can take that little room that y’all were using for storage and expand it by six feet to make an extra bedroom and full bath. Course, I’ll have to take off the siding. I’m not sure I can find the same color.”
“Didn’t like it anyway,” Sam replied. “I think Nana had brick underneath. Maybe we can take all the siding off and paint the brick. Picking the colors might give my wife something to focus on.”
“Why don’t you call some of her friends and have them take her out for lunch,” Bo suggested. “She’s not used to staying home all day in that house.”
“No,” Sam agreed. “It’s been quite an adjustment since school ended. She told me last night that she is turning in her resignation to the school board. She wants to be a full-time mother.”
Bo felt his brow arch.
“Is that a problem?”
“No, not really.” Sam gave a shake of his head. “I just assumed that she’d go back to work and we’d get Mom to take care of the baby.”
“You hurting for money, bro?”
“Me? Naw, I just took on this new project with the city. Makes me a little nervous.”
“What’s the project?”
“Revitalization of South Main Street. The mayor wants to remove some of the old façdesthat were put up in the sixties and bring the historic flavor back to that end of town.”
“There are some unique old buildings down there.”
“Some are too far gone to be saved,” Sam remarked as Irene slid his plate in front of him. “The mayor is all upset because there is a holdout.”
“Holdout?”
Bo turned and watched his brother nod.
“Seems that the owner of one building recently died and left it to his heir.”
“So, can you contact the person? If they’re out of town, they might be willing to make a quick sale.”
Sam took a deep breath. “If it would be that simple. Evidently, there is a hiccup. The heir hasn’t been reached.”
“Kind of hard for me to believe that in this day and time with cell phones and all,” Bo murmured.
His brother gave a shrug of his shoulders.
“Could be the lawyer is biding his time for the new owner to sign or decide what they want to do with that old building.”
“Look, whatever the problem is, you want me to run by and look at some of the buildings?”
Sam reached for the ketchup.
Bo slid the plastic bottle toward him.
“Yeah, it’s the 200 block. See what you think can be done.”
“I’ll do that after I get the materials over to your place.”
“Don’t forget those paint swatches,” Sam warned him.
* * *
“So, what do you plan to do today?”
Vivyane looked up to her mother’s bright smile, as she place a bowl of apple cinnamon muffins on the table.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Vivyane replied and reached for one of the delectable breads.
Her mother pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “I have a suggestion, if you are up to it.”
“Suggestion?”
Her mother rarely suggested anything. Vivyane felt the hairs on her arm stand up.
“What gives, Mom?”
Her mother took a muffin and refused to look her daughter in the eye.
“I know you were very upset when your grandpa passed on.” She slid the knife through the bread and the two halves fell. Steam rose in a quick puff as her mother dug the knife into the butter container and slathered it on.
“I was,” Vivyane agreed.
“You didn’t want to come home, so I didn’t mention it, but your Grandfather left you something in his will.”
“Me?” Her eyes widened. “What did Grandpa have that he could leave me?”
Her mother took a deep breath. “I can’t say for sure. His lawyer, Mr. Hathaway, didn’t say. I think he expects you to come in so he can inform you in person.”
Vivyane rolled her gaze heavenward. “It’s probably a tin can full of old buttons that Grandma had in her sewing machine.”
“Well, whatever it is, I think you should go down and get it taken care of today.”
“Yes, ma’am, right after I eat.”
“Of course, dear.”
Vivyane lifted a brow as she stared at her mother. Mary Scott never had been able to tell a lie. Even now, she watched as her mother nervously adjusted the plate against the napkin. What could her grandfather own that would cause her mother this much concern? Puzzled and confused, she knew there was only one way to end the mystery, pay a visit to Mr. Harry Hathaway down on Main Street.
“What are you saying?” She blinked and gazed down at the piece of paper in her right hand.
The man across from her folded his hands on his desk and glanced over his half-moon spectacles. Harry Hathaway’s soft grandfatherly smile eased the apprehension that threatened to wash over her like a tsunami.
“What I am saying is that your grandfather purchased the old movie theater called the Lone Star a few years ago and held it in trust until your return. Upon his death, the movie theater became yours.”
“Mine?”
Vivyane tried to wrap her head around Grandpa Scott’s gift. Confused, but hoping to secure an answer, she glanced around the stuffy office. She rose to her feet and walked toward the door.
>
Run! Run long and keep running until there are no sidewalks, no buildings, or civilization!
But, she couldn’t. She took a deep breath and waited for the light-headedness to disappear. Turning, she faced her grandfather’s lawyer.
“What am I going to do with a movie theater?”
Harry Hathaway’s expression took on a look of compassion before speaking. “My suggestion is to fix it up. It is a grand piece of architecture. The historical society can help you. They’ve wanted it for years as have other groups.”
“Grandpa should have sold it to them.”
She glanced down at the paper once again.
“You don’t mean that,” Harry scolded and leaned forward to gather the pages of her grandfather’s will. “You and your grandfather spent wonderful times in that old theater. It’s a part of his past, part of your future, and part of your heritage.”
“My heritage,” she harrumphed. The words came out as a whispered sigh.
Harry sat back and chuckled. “Now, now.”
He pushed back from his chair and moved to the corner of his desk.
“It’s not the end of the world.”
Vivyane gave him a narrow gauge snake-eye. “Oh, sure, it’s lovely. My mother will have a cow.”
Harry sat down on the corner of his desk and folded his arms over his chest.
“No. But, I admit it will take some getting used to. Look, you don’t have to do anything right this second, do you?”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“Then, take some time. Go by there. Look at the building with fresh eyes and think outside the box. See what ideas come to you.”
“Come to me, huh?” The words came out in an unsettled breath. “Good.” He held out his hand. Vivyane placed hers in his and his fingers closed around her hand.
“Good. You won’t regret this.”
“I hope you’re right,” she sighed as he released her hand. Folding the letter, she placed it in the back pocket of her jeans.
“I’ll get the deed for you. I suggest you get a safety deposit box for its safe keeping.”
“I’ll look into it.”
He tapped the papers into an even stack.
“There are people who may be angry that the theater isn’t up for sale.”
Vivyane gave a rough chuckle. “My grandfather never did things the easy way.”
“I’ll talk to you in a few days,” Harry said as he slid the papers into a folder. “It is going to be just fine.”
With a nod, she left his office and climbed behind the wheel of the old truck. She slid the key into the ignition and paused. Her hands locked on the steering wheel, she stared out of the windshield. Memories flooded her mind. Holding her grandfather’s hand, him, dressed in his brown trousers, blue shirt, and vest holding her hand as she skipped along beside him.
“Grandpa, I wish I knew what you were thinking.”
With a shake of her head, Vivyane turned the key and the vehicle roared to life. Glancing over her shoulder, she backed out of the parking space. Turning on to the main road, she moved toward the corner of Main and Third.
What happens next?
Don’t wait to find out…
Head to Amazon to purchase or borrow your copy of LOVE’S LUCKY STAR so that you can keep reading this contemporary romance series today!
You May Also Like
Read the first chapter of LOVE & ORDER, book 1 of HOLIDAYS IN HALLBROOK…
Garrett clicked the buckle of his harness into place and pulled tightly on the ends of the straps. “Ready for takeoff.” He gave the helicopter pilot a thumbs-up in case he couldn’t hear him over the low hum of the spinning blades and the motor propelling them. Normally, he would just take his own plane for such a short flight, but he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be piloting anything, making this chartered flight an easy decision.
The pilot went through a series of checks with the control tower, and it wasn’t long before the whirring sound increased and the helicopter began to vibrate with the increased power, blocking out any chance of regular conversation. The huge metal bird lifted off from a private section of the airfield. The ground below faded away until New York City became an aerial view of rooftops and skyscrapers all blended together. Garrett let out a deep breath.
The flight from La Guardia to Glen Haven, New Hampshire, the closest private airport with a helipad to Hallbrook, was ninety minutes by helicopter and then a fifteen-minute drive north to the town where he’d spent most of his childhood. It was a trip he would always regret not making more often. The news of his mother’s death had come as a shock, and now, days later, the ache he felt had deepened, spurred on by guilt. He hadn’t even known she was having heart troubles, but then according to Charlie, her friend and solicitor, she hadn’t either. Her heart attack had taken everyone by surprise. It was hard to believe she was gone.
He tamped down on the emotions trying to emerge, finding it easier to focus on what needed to be done. Once he settled his mother’s estate, there would be no reason to return to his hometown, a place he’d left long ago and only manage to visit once or twice a year, much to his mother’s consternation. Work had been his priority for as long as he could remember, and the corporate law offices of Bradley & West were proof of the success he and his best friend and partner, Jim, had achieved as a result of their dedication.
But being rated as the top law firm in Manhattan and in the top twenty nationwide didn’t do a thing to ease the pain of knowing his mother was gone forever, especially since he’d disappointed her by canceling his visit this past summer. The Baden-Hamilton merger had derailed, and the multi-million-dollar deal was his baby, and therefore his responsibility to save. And then one thing after another had popped up, and before he knew it, September was fast rolling in. But for his mother, there would be no September.
Angelica, his sister, had been notified of their mother’s passing through official Naval communication, but as a U.S. Naval officer on a submarine somewhere in the Pacific, there was no telling when she’d be home. Charlie was taking care of their mother’s arrangements per her wishes, and a woman by the name of April St. James was taking care of the house. Charlie had insisted Garrett arrive as soon as possible to deal with some legal issues. Garrett had cleared his schedule, making sure he could be at the celebration of life to honor his mother on Saturday and could stick around for the reading of her will on Monday.
Luckily, his partner would be able to help Garrett with his caseload while he was out of town. Garrett wasn’t sure where to begin with his mother’s estate. Until he talked to the solicitor and his sister, his hands were tied. He’d have to close up the house until he could sell it. Neither he nor his sister were in a position to live in or manage a country estate. Finding a buyer would be the easy part, selling it…not so much.
The place was filled with mixed memories for him and his sister, mostly because it had been the start of their new life without their father after a bitter divorce. His mother had poured her heart into the place after purchasing it, her love of the land filling her with the determination to make a success of the place. Garrett’s love, however, was for the city. His sister’s love of the sea drove her career in the Navy. They’d been three completely different people on different courses in life.
In no time at all, the pilot landed the chopper in Glen Haven, the closest town to Hallbrook that had a private airstrip. Garrett removed his seatbelt, pushed open the heavy door, and waved his thanks to the pilot. He crouched low as he jogged out from under the air current of the blades and made his way to the waiting limousine.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bradley. Sorry to hear about your mother. Sarah was a fine lady.” George Bowman owned the limousine service, and he still operated some of the bookings for select customers. He was used to Garrett coming and going, although the visits had been few and far between the past few years.
“Thank you. It came as quite a shock.” His mother had been an inte
gral part of putting Hallbrook on the map. She’d not only managed to raise him and Angelica on her own, but she’d found the time to create a niche for the small town by attracting tourists to the area in search of artisan crafts made by the locals. She’d given up everything for him and his sister, including her marriage and home. And in return, he’d been a horrible son, making business more important than visiting her more often.
“If you’ll drop me at the house, that would be great. It sounds as though I’ve got a lot to do.” Garrett’s guilt factor ramped up another notch.
“Ain’t that the truth.” The man shook his head, putting the car in drive and raising the privacy window. But not before Garrett caught the odd expression peering back at him through the rearview mirror.
Garrett made a mental note of their progress as they got closer to the house.
They passed by several farms, including the largest dairy farm in the state. Old man Peterson’s place. His mother used to treat him to the delicious hand-made ice cream for excellent grades as a reward. His reward, of course, had been getting into Yale and eventually out of Hallbrook.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t appreciated the town, but he’d loved the action of the city. It was the land of opportunity, a place where you could make your mark, other than by winning first prize for the fattest cow at the 4-H fair.
He spotted his old high school, Turlington High. The place where he’d gotten into his first fight with a bully, protecting a girl. They’d dated on and off the first couple of years of high school, but then her interest had turned more toward the high school quarterback and less on the geeky guy who’d preferred to study.
George turned right onto East Main Street as he made his way through town. The closer they got to the center of Hallbrook, the bigger the houses got. Many of the stately Victorian and Colonial homes had been restored to their former glory by the families who’d inherited them. The place hadn’t changed much in the twenty-five years since they’d first moved there, other than the slow growth and addition of businesses and a few more homes. He spotted Sally’s Diner and smiled, remembering the place fondly. For Garrett, the diner was where he had his first date, his first kiss, and the best peach pie in the county.
Love's Returning Hope (Love's Texas Homecoming Book 2; First Street Church #15) Page 10