Radio Rose (Change of Heart Cowboys Book 1)

by Stephanie Berget

  Everyone loved Sonja, and as an added bonus, she had several requests to do private parties. All in all, the day was an overwhelming success.

  -#-

  Adam sat back and soaked up the atmosphere. Success oozed from each corner of the crowded store. “We might have a chance to pull this off,” he said to Sonja as she moved beside him. She stopped and turned to him, her face beaming.

  “I spoke with Glendaleath Moller today. She was a regular customer before my Elvin passed. Her dear Henry died less than a year ago, poor soul.” She lowered her gaze for a moment before looking up at Adam with a smile. “We’ve made a date to meet next Tuesday. I must think of something special to make.”

  Sonja patted Adam on the back before hurrying across the store and disappearing into the back.

  On the other side of the room, Rose bagged a CD for a new customer. Her smile as she talked to the woman lit up the room. Anticipation welled inside him.

  Six months ago who would have thought he’d be surrounded by friends and have a woman who cared for him. A tentative smile crossed his face at the thought of Rose and the others. Hope gathered in his heart and worked its way through his body, leaving a trail of warmth in its path.

  Maybe he could make this work. Maybe the ability to love couldn't be beaten out of a person. Maybe he’d have one last laugh on the old man yet.

  The only time Adam had talked to Lillian lately was to request paperwork from his grandfather's estate. She’d been polite but reserved, and when he’d sent her notarized copies of his intention to give her the mansion, she called with a quick thank you. As he hung up the phone, he’d run his fingers through his hair. This seemed too good to be possible. Maybe she finally got that he didn’t want her. With one more problem solved, he went back to work on the plan.

  The success of the Memorial Day celebration should provide Fairy Time Flowers and Books a steady business with growing sales. Only one month left until the date stipulated in the will, and everything was lining up like kindergarten children on a field trip.

  He broke out of his reverie as Rose walked toward him, her heels clacking against the scarred hardwood floor, her face flushed with excitement. Desire flooded his system, and he reached for her, pulling her close.

  “This went better than I ever imagined,” she said as she leaned into him.

  Adam threw one arm around her shoulders, leaned down and kissed her right there in the middle of the store, in front of everyone. Reminding himself that every time his life looked good, fate slapped him with a soggy salmon, he hesitated. But he couldn’t quite back away from the happiness that was Rose.

  Somewhere among the chaos and hard work and resentment, he’d found peace. Now if he could just keep away from the disaster that usually followed him, he had it made.

  Ushering the last customers out, Adam locked the front door. After bidding goodbye to Sonja and the twins, he led Rose to the car. When he’d buckled her seatbelt and settled himself into the driver’s seat, he asked, “Do you want to go out and celebrate?”

  “I want to stay in and celebrate,” she said. Her mischievous smile spoke volumes as she slid as close to him as she could get with the stick shift between them.

  Damn. The next car they purchased was going to be an automatic.

  He felt the warmth of her hand on his thigh and the warmth of her nature in his heart. His foot pressed on the accelerator. He couldn’t get home fast enough.

  -#-

  Rose arrived at the station only a few minutes before she was to sign on. That was cutting it too close. She couldn’t be late. The result would be dead air. Working on improving the businesses during the day, playing with Adam, and doing her show every night was wearing her out.

  The program she’d scheduled was Aliens in Our Everyday Life. Since her accident, she’d been much more attuned to her audience's fears and feelings. The general consensus from her callers was that beings from other planets were taking over the earth, especially the United States.

  Tonight, her goal was to find out how many, if any, of her callers viewed aliens as non-threatening or even friendly. Over the years, she'd had several callers who hadn’t seemed frightened, but she hadn’t paid much attention. The shows were more exciting if everyone was afraid. Now, she wanted to capitalize on the few, and see if there were others out there who were willing to coexist with a different species.

  Her first caller was John, a regular. His rant was always the same. “The spacemen spy on me, and the government does nothing to stop them. I think the government encourages them.”

  “What makes you think they’re dangerous?” she asked when he’d taken enough of a breath that she could force in a word.

  “Just you look on the internet. They’re everywhere.” John was becoming more excited, panic clear in his voice.

  “Do you know an alien personally?”

  “The bastards are too slippery to let you see them,” John said. “But they’re out there. Oh, yeah, they’re out there.”

  “Language, John. You know the rules.” She disconnected and went to the next caller.

  Several more echoed John’s worries. Their breathing was rapid, their voices shaky, and their fear palpable.

  However, as she kept coming back to her subject, the tone of the calls changed. One at a time, she talked to more and more people who’d had a good experience with something or someone they perceived as an alien.

  Several people told of a single contact, while others claimed they lived daily with alien beings. Rose still didn't believe in aliens, but she believed that her callers believed and that was enough.

  As she brought her show to a close, Irwin appeared. She’d only had time to say a word in passing for the last few weeks. “How are you?”

  Without forewarning, Irwin stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm hug. She almost jerked back in surprise. Irwin was her friend, but he wasn’t a touchy-feely guy. In fact, he seldom ever touched another person, and when he did, he cleaned his fingers with an antiseptic wipe.

  "It's nice to see you Rose. You look well. Have a good night,” he said as he picked up the Lysol and started wiping the desk. Apparently, he thought it safe to hug her but not to use her pen.

  Rose started to say more, but Irwin opened the mike and started his show. She shook her head. Irwin was a pip.

  She was still shaking her head about the hug when she reached the parking lot. Bracing herself for the battle to start her car, Rose went through her pre-ignition ritual. After patting the dashboard, pumping the gas pedal and making the required promises, Rose was surprised when Miss Cool roared to life on the first try. The little engine purred like a milk-filled kitten.

  "Must be the alien influence," she said with a chuckle. First an Irwin hug, then Miss Cool’s cooperation. If she had any brains at all, she’d buy a lottery ticket.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lillian’s date drove his Jaguar around the block several times looking for a parking spot near enough to Gramma's House for her to walk to the entrance. Strappy sandals with four-inch heels weren’t made for hiking. She was about to suggest he drop her off in front to wait while he parked when someone pulled out right in front.

  They stepped into the foyer—and damn! Only a few tables remained empty. The place was packed. They’d turned this dump around in record time. Only it wasn’t a dump any more. It was . . . nice.

  Her face twisted into an angry frown. She’d hoped the grand opening was a fluke, a result of her invitations, but just damn.

  With the radio station becoming profitable, and the garage having increased its revenue for the second month in a row, things were going much too well for Adam. Even the motel was on the verge of becoming a moneymaker.

  Her secret plan was now a necessity, not just a dirty trick to be played out for revenge.

  She'd paid way too much to the sneaky kids, but it would be worth it in the end. When she was done, business would slow to a crawl at the restaurant, maybe even
stop forever. That thought smoothed the anger off her face and lifted her mouth into a smile.

  Mara approached the couple and asked, “Seating for two, Ms. Keeler?”

  Miss Goody Two Shoes had a couple of large burgundy menus bound with thick gold braid. Much classier than the plastic ones the steakhouse had used before the remodel. And the woman was dressed in a long, burgundy dress that enhanced her slim body. The very image of refinement.

  Quite a change from Chef Roy.

  Lillian gave the girl a too bright smile. “Yes, thank you, Mary isn’t it?”

  Mara’s smile wavered for a split second then she recovered. “Follow me, please,” she said as she led the way to one of the few empty booths. She placed the menus on the table. “Please be seated, and I’ll send your waiter right over.”

  Lillian’s date bored her to distraction, but she’d needed a man in a hurry and couldn’t afford to be choosy, so she’d recruited her neighbor. Did having more money than brains and pretty-boy good looks make up for his lack of personality? Not for her, but she faked attentiveness during the small talk over their wine.

  After an Oscar winning performance, pretending interest in the man’s ramblings about his importance all through drinks and the appetizer, she excused herself. “I’d like to say hello to my friends in the kitchen,” she said. “I’ll be right back. Miss me.” She touched her finger to her lips then his, and as she walked away she saw him smile. Men were so predictable.

  She stepped through the double swinging doors into a controlled madhouse.

  Meat sizzled, vegetables were chopped and everyone rushed to provide the best dining experience for the patrons. And at the helm was Gramma, the calm center of the hurricane.

  Lillian slipped between two of the kitchen help into the corner by the pantry. When everyone appeared to be engrossed in their jobs, she reached into her pocket, retrieving a small Ziploc bag. Hiding it behind her back, she shuddered as she tipped it upside down, shook it then quickly stepped away.

  Working her way through the bustle in the kitchen, she approached the head cook. “I know you're too busy to talk, but I wanted to congratulate you on your success.” She gave her practiced smile to Gramma and received a real smile in return.

  Lillian returned to her date and enjoyed one of the best meals she'd had in a long time, loaded with magic that exploded on her taste buds and filled her with satisfaction.

  -#-

  Adam entered the Steakhouse the next morning to find he was the first to arrive. The night before had been the best Monday they'd had yet. Lillian stopped by with a date, and had surprised him by being polite and charming, finally. Everything was fitting together like a saddle on a duck.

  From the office, he could hear the chatter as the cleaning staff arrived. He gathered them all in the kitchen. “Thank you all. The transformation of the restaurant couldn’t have happened without each one of you. We’ve pulled off a minor miracle.”

  Jonas stepped forward and pounded him on the back. “Cramazing, dude.”

  Adam looked at the big man. It was like he’d read Adam’s mind, but in a different language.

  As the others scattered to take care of their duties, Adam headed to the office to compile the meat orders for the week. He walked a thin line, ordering enough steak and chicken but not so much that they’d waste any.

  With a quick double tap of his knuckles on the door, Henry stuck his head into the office. "The state inspector’s here. Says he needs to talk to you. Want me to send him in?"

  Adam frowned, confusion clouding his brain. They’d passed their inspection with flying colors a week before they opened and weren't due again for almost six months. “I’ll come out there,” he said, standing and moving around the desk.

  Adam walked into the kitchen to see Tom Hanson, the same state employee who had done their initial health inspection.

  "We had a complaint called in this morning, Mr. Cameron. It's standard procedure to re-inspect following any complaint. Do you mind if I have a look around?"

  "No, of course not. Feel free to look anywhere,” he said as he stepped back to give the man access to the area.

  The staff watched as Hanson looked into the large cupboards and underneath the counters. A few minutes after entering the pantry, he pulled a small, plastic container out of the black fabric case he carried and went to work. Within a short time he emerged with the cup in his hand.

  "I found several roaches in the pantry where you store the foodstuffs. I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to shut down until you find the source and fix it.”

  Adam was stunned. Roaches didn't just appear, and he was sure if they’d been around, one of the staff would have seen them. "Tom, you know we run a clean place here. You just inspected us yourself."

  "Mr. Hanson,” Henry said. “I cleaned that pantry yesterday, and they weren't there then."

  “Dude, I helped Henry. There weren't any bugs in that room,” Jonas said. He looked sideways at Adam. “We took a Twinkie break in there, and we'd have seen any little creepies crawling around. Honest.”

  Jonas might not be the smartest employee Adam had hired, but he was hard working and always told the truth. Something just wasn't adding up here.

  Tom filled out a form and stapled it to the wall. "Again, I'm sorry. Until this is cleared up, you can't serve the public."

  That did it. The game was over.

  The chance of success had been touch and go even if every single thing went right. If they were closed for more than a day, they were cooked. Pun intended.

  Adam thanked Henry and Jonas and saw everyone else out. He locked up and then crossed the smooth, resurfaced blacktop to Miss Cool. As he sat in the parking lot, all the fight drained out of him and puddled on the floorboards. Where could they go from here?

  He put the car into gear and found himself driving by the garage then the motel and the flower shop. He even made the trip to the radio station. These four businesses were doing well, but it didn't make any difference now. If the restaurant failed, it would grab the others and pull them into the pit of ruin.

  A body-shaking shiver ran through him, and his skin crawled as if he’d been staked to an anthill. Lillian was going to own them all.

  -#-

  The crash of a door slamming shook Rose awake. Looking at her clock through sleep-fogged eyes, she saw it was one in the afternoon, a little early for her usual wake up time.

  Most often, Adam went the extra mile to be quiet when he came home. If he was slamming doors, something was wrong. She stumbled out of bed, pulled on her Nemo slippers and hurried to the front of the house.

  The sight of Adam sitting with his head in his hands stopped her in her tracks. Dropping onto the couch beside him, she touched his arm with the tips of her fingers. "What’s wrong?"

  He didn’t raise his head to look at her. "It's over. They found roaches in the food storage and closed the restaurant."

  Rose opened her mouth. The words balled up in the back of her throat, but only for a nanosecond then they raced against each other to get out first. “Wait a shit-fried minute. We don’t have roaches. Our restaurant is clean.” Rose couldn't believe it, didn't believe it. Even as bad as the steakhouse had been at the beginning, there had been no insect infestations. "So clean we could serve the Pope off the floor.”

  She stood then knelt in front of him, her hands on his knees.

  “Who found them?” she finally asked. “The cleaning crew?”

  Adam didn’t answer. He didn’t raise his head. He didn’t acknowledge she was in the room.

  Rose picked up a glass of water left on the end table from the evening before. There was only about an inch left, but it was enough. She upended it over his head.

  Droplets sprayed like water off a wet dog as Adam shook his head then turned to Rose.

  She smiled sweetly. “Did the cleaning crew find the insects?” she asked again. This time he paid attention to her question.

  "No, the inspector said a customer saw th
em last night and called the health department."

  “Wait! What? They saw them in the restaurant? Out at the tables? Then they calmly finished eating and went home to call the authorities. Not a word to the waitress?” She stood with her hands on her hips, staring at Adam. “That doesn’t make a spoonful of sense.”

  “They were spotted in the pantry. Someone called in a complaint.”

  "How did a customer see them in the pantry?” she said. She smelled a rat, or at the very least, a snake, make that a bitch. “Are you giving tours of the kitchen now?”

  “No.” Adam slumped on the couch as Rose paced back and forth across the small living room.

  “Right answer. Customers aren’t allowed into the kitchen,” Rose said, disgust thick in her voice. “Let me take a wild guess. Lillian happened to have dinner with us last night.” Either Lillian turned them in or one of the restaurant’s employees had, and she didn’t believe for a minute one of their people would sabotage the restaurant. They were all too invested in its success.

  “She was there with a date. They had dinner then left.” He glanced from the glass on the table to Rose and back. “You poured water on me.”

  Rose didn’t hear him. She was busy puzzling through the problem. “She put them there. No one else could see them in the pantry. We've been pretty careful of who we hired. Our employees wouldn’t do this to us.”

  “You can’t mean Lillian?” A short, sharp laugh shook him. “Can you see her playing with roaches or any kind of bug?”

  “I can imagine her selling her mother to get what she wants, and she wants all the money. Bet you ten back rubs she was in the kitchen last night.”

  “I could use a back rub. I don’t suppose I can talk you into giving me one without the bet?” He leaned forward in his chair and lifted his hand to point to his shoulder. “Right there.”

  "No! You’re not listening. You can’t think Gramma or Mara caused this mess? Or Jonas? I don't think so, dude.” Her voice rose on the last word. Rose was on a roll.

  “Okay, I believe . . . .”