“I am.”
“If you’re looking for investors, I want in.”
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am, because I’m going to move to your little piece of heaven and open a bed and breakfast.”
Bernadine stilled. “Really?”
“Yes. Doctor said either I slow down or I die. Blood pressure is through the roof, as is my cholesterol, and I’m exhausted all the damn time. I need a lifestyle change, B.”
“I’d love to have you as a neighbor, but what do you know about running a bed and breakfast?”
“Other than having stayed in a bunch all over the world, about as much as you knew about running a town when you bought Henry Adams off eBay.”
She laughed. “I guess that makes you qualified.”
“I think so, too. I’d like to fly in sometime next week to talk to you about the restaurant and look at sites for my place if that’s possible.”
“Sounds good.”
“You don’t have a strip for my jet to land, do you?”
“No, but if you come in by chopper something can be worked out.”
“Okay, I’ll do that then. Thanks, doll. I’ll let you get back to turning your world. Can’t wait to see you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
After ending the call, Bernadine sat back, stunned. Tina Craig moving to Henry Adams? All she could say was “wow!”
“Ms. Brown?”
In the doorway stood a woman who looked vaguely familiar but Bernadine couldn’t place her. “Yes? May I help you?”
“I’m sorry for not making an appointment, but I’m Sandy Langster. Do you remember me?”
The name rang a bell but the face, framed by angled-cut brown hair with blond highlights, remained a mystery.
“I’m the PI who worked on the Astrid Wiggins, Tommy Stewart madness last year.”
“Oh my goodness, yes! How are you?”
“I’m well. I look different, don’t I?”
“Yes, you do. Your hair’s lighter.” When they first met, Sandy had mousy brown hair and was pretty nondescript.
“I’m wearing blue contacts, too. I’m on a case in Hays and I needed to not look like me.”
“Have a seat. What brings you by?”
“I hear you’ve rehabbed the old hotel and have some spaces you’re renting out. I’m wondering if you’re still looking for tenants?”
“I am.”
“Would it be okay if I applied?”
“Of course.”
She smiled. “Good. Thanks to the Stewart case, I’m getting a lot more work, so I’ve decided to open an office.”
“Very nice.”
“Do you have some info I can look at on pricing and all that?”
“Sure do.”
Bernadine opened her drawer and handed her an application. “Fill it out and get it back to me as soon as you can.”
“Thank you. I will.” She stood. “I’ll get out of your hair. I need to get back to Hays. Have a good day, Ms. Brown.”
“You, too.”
She exited and, once again, Bernadine was left pleasantly surprised. First Tina, and now PI Sandra Langster. Not a bad way to begin the day.
Gemma was not having such a good morning. Still saddened by the departure of Lucas and Jasmine, she and a glum Wyatt shared a somber breakfast.
“I wish they could’ve stayed,” he said, toying with the scrambled eggs on his plate.
“I know. But hopefully the aunt is a nice lady and things will work out for them.”
“Do you think Lucas will call us and let us know how they’re doing?”
“Ms. Krebs said that wouldn’t be a good idea. She doesn’t want contact with us interfering with them getting resettled.”
“Oh.”
Gemma felt especially bad for Wyatt. Even though the Hermans had only been with them briefly, Wyatt had been more lively with them being around than he’d been since leaving Chicago. There’d been laughter and an almost instant camaraderie between the three and now, they were back in Ohio and her Wyatt was alone again. “Are you and Eli going to take your boards out today?”
He shook his head. “He’s working today, and then he’s helping Rocky start packing up her stuff so she can move in with his dad after the wedding.”
“I see.”
“I’ll go hang at the rec and swim and read until you get off work.”
“Okay. I have class tonight, too. So, I’ll shoot home, do us a quick dinner and then go over to the school.”
He nodded.
She wanted to pull him onto her lap and hold him close like she used to when he was little, but he was too old for that now. “If you grab your stuff I can drop you off at the rec on way to the store.”
“No. I think I’ll do my chores and ride my bike over later, if that’s okay.”
“If you want. But text me when you leave and when you get there.”
“I will.”
Looking at his sad face almost made her ask if he wanted her to consider other foster kids needing a home, but she sensed now wasn’t the right time to have that conversation. She’d let his feelings heal a bit first.
“We were just getting to know each other and they were happy here, Gram.”
“I know, and I’m sure they’ll be happy with their aunt. Life is funny sometimes, Wyatt. You and Lucas may cross paths again in the future. Wouldn’t it be something if you ended up going to the same college?”
“I guess.”
She gently caressed his hair. “I need to get to work. Remember to text me.”
“I will.”
Gemma enjoyed her job. It provided her with a steady income, a small health care package, and the workplace was clean and safe. Standing at a register for six to eight hours a shift was physically exhausting, however, and yet another reason why she’d chosen to return to school.
Handing her customer his receipt and change, she smiled. “Thank you.”
He nodded and moved on.
When she looked into the face of her next customer, she froze.
Kind brown eyes twinkled back in response. “Hello, Ms. Dahl. How are you?”
She stuttered. “I—fine, Professor LeForge, how are you?” To cover her befuddlement, she scanned his package of steaks on the belt and weighed up a bag holding two tomatoes.
“I’m good,” he replied. “Had no idea you worked here.”
She scanned a head of lettuce and a small five-pound bag of red potatoes. “I’ve been here almost a year.” Handling a half-gallon of two percent milk, she moved on to dishwasher pods and green grapes.
“Any problem getting your books and workbook for class?”
“No, and thanks again for your help.” Gemma swore the man was looking at her with more than a teacher’s interest, but chalked it up to an overly active imagination. She rang up his last few items, told him the total and waited while he went through the process of paying with his debit card. She also tried not to stare at how nerdishly good-looking he was in his glasses, worn black Green Day tee shirt, and jeans. As if having read her thoughts, he smiled her way and went back to his transaction.
Once he was done, she handed over his receipt.
“I’ll see you in class, Ms. Dahl.”
Blushing, she nodded, horse-like. He flashed another soft smile and pushed his buggy toward the exit. “Hot for Teacher” blasted through her brain again. Shaking herself, she greeted the next customer in line. “Hello, did you find everything you needed?”
The employee break room was fairly crowded when Gemma entered to eat lunch. Nodding a greeting to people from all the store’s departments, but ignoring smiling Wilson Hughes, she found Edith sitting at a table alone.
“What happened with the foster kids?” Edith asked as Gemma took a seat.
“Social worker flew them back to Ohio, last night.” She unwrapped the turkey sandwich she’d purchased at the deli. “A great-aunt stepped up to take them in.” She added mustard to the sandwich and opened the sma
ll bag of chips she’d also snagged.
“Hope it works out for them.”
She took a bite and replied as politely as she could manage with her mouth full, “I do, too. It left me and Wyatt kind of sad. We’d both wanted them to stay.” She wondered what Lucas and Jasmine were doing and if the aunt was as kind as Gemma hoped.
Butcher Candy Stevens sat down. Opening her lunch tote, she asked, “Either of you going to apply for the new assistant manager position?”
Confused, Gemma paused. “What assistant manager position?”
“Supposedly Mr. Clark’s moving Alma to a new position.”
“Where’d you hear this?”
“From the night crew. Not sure where they got it from, though.”
“I’ll pass,” Edith said. “I’m too old to be stressed out as Sgt. Ma’am’s mini me. Being under her as a lowly cashier is bad enough.”
Gemma agreed. She couldn’t imagine having to be trained by Alma and shadowing her for however long it took. “It would be nice to have the extra pay, but Alma would have a stroke if I applied.”
“Then please do,” Edith said with a laugh.
Candy said, “You’d make a great assistant manager.”
Sybil Martin, Alma’s current mini me, entered the lounge. As she sat down at Wilson’s table, Ed Daniels from the meat department called out, “Hey, Sybil. You know anything about this new assistant manager Mr. Clark’s going to hire?”
“Only that Alma’s going to make sure I get the job, so the rest of you losers may as well not apply.”
The room quieted. Gemma shook her head and saw others doing the same. A few people rolled their eyes disdainfully while a cashier seated behind her hissed, “Witch.” Gemma had sympathized with Sybil at the pool. She didn’t now.
Edith leaned over and whispered, “She’s not going to get hired. Mr. Clark’s no fool. Being assistant manager involves way more than just holding Alma’s clipboard. I don’t think she even finished high school.”
Gemma knew nothing about Sybil’s level of education but the many mistakes she made with scheduling and time sheets, Alma fixed, so Gemma couldn’t see her in the position, either.
To their surprise, Gary Clark entered the room. His appearance wasn’t uncommon but he usually took his breaks and lunch in his office. “Can I have your attention, please.”
Everyone quieted. Gemma noticed Alma slip in and take up a position by the door. There was fire in her eyes. Gemma wondered what had set her off.
Gary’s voice refocused her attention his way. “I’m assuming you’ve heard the rumors about the new assistant manager position? Well, they’re not rumors. I’m looking to hire someone and will begin accepting applications in a few days. I’d like to hire in-house, so if you want to apply, feel free. Qualifications, salary, and the job description will be posted in the morning.”
A soft buzz of speculation went through the room. Ed Daniels called out, “Mr. Clark, we were told the job’s already been promised to someone.”
Gary’s jaw tightened. “The position has not been promised to anyone.”
On the heels of that firm statement, more than a few people turned Sybil’s way. She tried to feign ignorance but her beet red face told all. Gemma saw the angry Alma make her exit. Hmm.
Gary continued, “We all know I knew zip about running a store when we opened a year ago, and were it not for your help, patience, and the extensive training Ms. Brown suggested I take, I’d still be in the dark. But now, I think I’m up to speed enough to take over the reins a bit more. I’m grateful to Alma—” He glanced around as if looking for her. “She isn’t here, but I’ll be taking over her duties in the day-to-day operations, which will free her to concentrate on training new employees and offering her expertise in other ways.”
Gemma met Edith’s look of surprise. So, was Alma being promoted or demoted? People were whispering all over the room, and she wondered if they were asking the same questions.
Gary continued, “I know all the employees aren’t here, so if you’d help me spread the word about the posting, I’d appreciate it. That’s it. Thanks, guys.” And with a wave he was gone.
After his exit, Ed Davis called out, “Hey, Sybil. Looks like you won’t be getting the job. Guess you’re a loser now too, huh?”
She hastily gathered up her stuff and left the lounge under mocking laughter.
Rocky had the day off and when she glanced around at all the items in her bedroom needing to be packed: books, artwork, clothing, she drew in a deep breath to keep from being overwhelmed. “Hey babe,” she called out to Jack packing in the living room. “Can we just cancel the wedding so I don’t have to move any of this?” Out of respect for Eli, she wouldn’t be sleeping at Jack’s until after he left for school, so basic things like her bed would be staying.
He appeared in the doorway. “Sorry, too late. Invitations have already gone out and the food’s been ordered. You’re just going to have to suck it up.”
“You’re such a meanie.”
“But I’m your meanie.”
“Which is a good thing. Maybe I’ll just have a bonfire. No?”
He shook his head.
“Okay, I’ll bite the bullet.”
“Maybe we need to take a break. We’ve been at this since way too early this morning.”
It was nearly noon. “I agree. How about lunch?”
The kitchen was filled with boxes already packed and sealed, but she maneuvered around them to get to the fridge and the sandwiches she’d made earlier. Grabbing a large bag of chips, some grapes, and sodas, they took everything outside to her small attached porch. The sun was nearing its zenith and it was hot, but it was nice and shady beneath the porch’s metal awning. As they began eating, the silence of the plains rose as it always did, letting them relish it and each other. “I think I have my head on now about this marriage thing.”
He paused for a moment and eyed her before responding. “That’s good to know.”
The seriousness in his gaze and tone told her he’d been worried. “I don’t want you worrying about whether I’ll really show up. I know everyone in town is worried too, but they’re secondary. My main concern is you.”
“Thanks. And I must admit, I have been wondering.”
“I know,” she said softly. “I’ve never been real comfortable in my own skin. Tough biker chick on the outside, a low-self-esteem mess on the inside.”
He didn’t respond, simply waited for her to say more or not. That calmness and his willingness to listen without the need to interject were some of the other things she loved about him. “You’ve been a big help with my trying to figure all that out. Thanks for your love and your patience.”
“You’re welcome, but you’ve done the real work—you and Reverend Paula. I’ve just been along for the ride.”
“Thank God for her. Sometimes we women, particularly women of color, think we can ignore the cracks in our souls by just keeping it moving. Talking with Paula for the past few years has helped me see that doing that just makes them wider.” She savored the love in his eyes and spoke from the heart. “Honestly, Jack, I don’t know if the cracks will ever fully heal, but my spirit’s no longer leaking through. If it starts up again, it helps knowing she and you are my caulk guns.”
He sang softly, “Then keep on using me, until you use me up.”
“Okay, Bill Withers.”
After lunch, they went back to packing when Eli rushed in. “Is your phone off?” he asked Rocky.
She stared. “No, but it’s on silent. Why?”
“Siz has been trying to call you. He sent me to tell you. Go get your phone!”
She dug it out of her purse and looked at the screen. Twelve messages! Most were from Siz. They’d started about ten minutes ago. First one read: Rock. Call. ASAP. Another one followed thirty seconds later. Rock. PLEASE CALL!!!! Alarmed, she slid down to the last message which read: Need you here!!! Mr. Acosta shutting us down!!
She let out a curse and ran o
ut the door. “Meet me at the Dog!”
Not waiting to see if they followed, she jumped on the Shadow and roared off.
When she arrived, she spotted the yellow tape draped across the door right away. Next, she saw Siz and the staff talking with Luis Acosta. With them were Bernadine, Tamar, a few other residents, and standing a few feet away a man and woman she didn’t recognize. She parked and hurried over to Luis.
Seeing her, Siz said, “Thank God you’re here.”
Luis’s eyes were cold. “Hey, Rock.”
“Hey. What’s going on?” Whatever it was, they all appeared equally stressed.
“I had to shut you down. Code violations.”
She froze and stared back at the diner. “Tell me Mal didn’t implement that new table configuration.”
“You knew about this?” Luis asked.
“Yes, and told him it violated code.”
Bernadine threw up her hands. Tamar sighed angrily.
Luis replied, “He implemented it anyway. I told him this morning at breakfast he was in violation, and that if he didn’t make changes by lunch, I’d have no other choice.”
“I told him!” Rocky snapped. Tamping down her anger as much as she could, she asked, “If we are compliant by dinner, can we reopen?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, thanks.” She didn’t see Mal in the crowd. “Where is he?”
Tamar answered, “Inside.”
Rock turned to Luis. “Can I go in?”
“As long as you don’t open for business until you pass inspection, go ahead.”
The front door was locked, so she fished out her key, stuck it in, and walked inside. He was in his office.
“Come to say I told you so?”
“No, Luis already did that.”
“Yeah, well.”
“There are young people depending on the money they make here to keep their lives above water. How dare you put them in jeopardy by being selfish and petty.”
No response.
“Luis said he warned you at breakfast. Did you think he wouldn’t come through, or did you expect him to jeopardize his livelihood for you, too?”
Still nothing.
“Mal, you are my family. This isn’t like you. Please tell me what’s going on.”
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