“Why?”
“Well...she was so sick.”
William gaped. Her eyes, which were soft, flooded with empathy for him. “I didn’t realize...”
“I know. Of course you didn’t.” The assurance in her words threw him. He managed not to wince at the thought that his mother had been ill and hadn’t called him, hadn’t wanted to bother him, and why? Had she been that certain that he wouldn’t come to lend her a hand? And here all this time it had been Annie who’d stepped in.
“And now?” he asked.
“She’s been in remission for over a year. Her hair is growing back, her skin has better color, but she’s tired and her immune system is weak. The medication is expensive. If the diner closes, she won’t be able to—”
“Closes?” William’s eyes snapped wide open.
Annie brushed absently at her forehead before settling her hands in her lap.
“Pop’s Place has been limping along for years, William. I honestly don’t know how we made it through the winter.”
“Mom!” Betsy called, barreling across the wood chips. “Did you see me jump off the railing?”
Annie’s lips parted in a reply to her daughter, but William couldn’t register if she had spoken. A heavy fog had settled over him, clouding his mind into a dense sea of dismal grays and blues. Annie didn’t know how they had made it through the winter? No wonder his mother had dissolved into tears when she learned he had plans to ditch Chinoodin Falls. She was pinning her future, her security, on him, but the last thing he was capable of being to anyone was a savior. He had his own miserable mess to sort out.
“William.” Suddenly alert, he found Annie’s hand rested lightly on his arm. “You’re ringing.”
“What?” he croaked, fumbling for his cell phone.
It was Mike. He had cash.
William pulled himself to his feet and started toward his motorcycle, throwing one foot in front of the other.
“William,” Annie asserted again. He stopped, raising his eyebrows to expedite whatever she still felt inclined to say. “What are you going to do?”
“What would you have me do, Annie?”
She rose, her eyes pleading.
“Stay.”
He managed a shrug. “I gotta make a sale right now.”
He’d been in Chinoodin Falls only a few days, but already it seemed everyone was demanding something of him. If he stayed for much longer, he might have an armored escort to assist him out of town. But if Annie learned that, she’d have to learn...all of it, and that was something he couldn’t bear to let happen.
* * *
MIKE HAD THE truck hood popped open and was leaning over the engine with an inspector’s scowl.
William needed this sale. He needed the cash. He needed to cut ties and be on his way. No one could blame him for leaving if they knew the whole story. If he stuck around, he was only bringing more trouble for his mom...and Annie.
“How’s it runnin’?” Mike asked as William stared off into the distance before fishing the keys out of his pocket and tossing them to Mike.
“Take her for a spin.”
“Thanks. I’ll do a couple laps.”
William settled on the curb, hands in his front pockets as Mike eased out onto Main Street and disappeared around the corner. He needed the couple thousand bucks in the worst way so he could afford to put enough distance between him and his past. He had to stick to the plan.
Annie wanted him to stay and help his mother, because she thought he was good. She thought he was the same person she had loved when they were kids, but if she really knew what kind of life he had lived since he’d last taken her in his arms...
“Hey, swabbie.”
William recognized Sean out of the corner of his eye but refused to engage him.
“Swabbie,” Sean persisted, a cell phone pressed to his ear. “I’ll call you back, Diane,” he said before hanging up and lumbering toward William. “I thought that was you. Got nowhere special to go to, eh?”
William swallowed a response, staring out over the street.
“Yeah, I thought you came back to swab the deck of this old place, but then I heard you’re selling your truck. Something wrong with it?”
“Nope.”
“No, eh? It’s a decent enough truck.”
“It has a few miles left in it.”
“Interesting.”
“You got something to say?”
“I’m just wondering what your new ride will be.”
“You’re looking at my ride.”
“This old Indian?” Sean chuckled, circling the motorcycle. “She’s a classic—that’s for sure. I thought about gettin’ one myself.”
“It’s a free country.”
“True...” Sean nodded, running a hand over his stubbly chin. “See...this one is a beauty. One of a kind. Those curves...mmm-hmm. They don’t make ’em like that anymore.”
“They call that vintage.”
“Vintage. Ain’t she, though?” Sean admitted, straddling a leg up over Old Red and adjusting himself on the seat.
William’s jaw tightened at the sight of it. He was about two seconds away from dragging Sean off his motorcycle and teaching him a lesson in manners, so to speak, but he had to make the sale with Mike.
“What I wouldn’t give to take her for a spin. What’dya say?” Sean asked.
“It’s not a good time,” William answered once he saw his Chevy approaching.
“Of course. I didn’t mean to step on your toes. I can read between the lines here. She’s yours.”
William kept his eyes fixed on his truck crawling up to a red traffic light, two blocks away. He willed himself to not be baited into an altercation Sean seemed so desperately to want.
“I do mean,” Sean continued, “If someone else tried to get near her, tried to lull her away from you, you’d do whatever it took to protect her, wouldn’t cha?”
William shifted his eyes toward Sean.
“She’s yours, and you wouldn’t want anybody else touching her.” Sean glared at William from under hooded eyes.
“I don’t get what you’re saying,” William mustered.
“Oh, I think you do,” Sean replied, his voice an acidic whisper. “We’re alike, you and I. You don’t take too kindly to another man moving in. Right now you’re trying to decide if you should yank me off this bike or swallow your pride. I know what I’d do, but I’m itchin’ to see what you’ll do.”
“We’re different.”
“I doubt it,” Sean said, easing off the bike. He straightened his belt, sizing William up as Mike approached in the truck. “I don’t respond too kindly to anyone touching anything of mine. And once something is mine, it’s mine...forever.”
“I gotta make a sale,” William said through gritted teeth, the vein in his neck throbbing harder than the last time he’d gotten his knuckles bruised.
“Of course,” Sean said. “Do whatcha gotta do, swabbie...and I’ll do what I gotta do.”
William’s eyes were honed like beacons on Sean’s smug grin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sean sucked his teeth. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
He sauntered across the street to his BMW as Mike pulled onto the curb in front of William.
“This’ll do fine,” Mike hollered, climbing out of the truck, her engine still rumbling in idle. “Do you have the title?” William glowered as Sean peeled his tires in front of them, shooting down the street with an alarming squeal.
“Sorry?” William asked, aware Mike was nearly standing on top of him.
“The title? I’ll take it. I’ve got cash in hand.”
He studied Mike and knew he’d wake up the next morning, gripped by regret or a shiny new pair of handcuffs. Probably both. But as much as he wanted those two scenario
s to scare him straight, he found himself muttering a response that was sure to tick off the buyer once again.
William groaned with an apologetic shrug. “Mike, I hate to do this to you, but it’s not for sale.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
ANNIE DARTED BETWEEN the kitchen and dining room as tables began to fill up for breakfast. She had woken up in a cheery mood and was determined to not let anyone—especially William Kauffman—bring her down today. The children had been excited about a visit down by the lake with Marjorie, the sun was shining with the promise of summer and Mia’s enthusiasm about her upcoming wedding was contagious.
“Mrs. Mia Howards has such a nice ring to it, dontcha think?” Mia bubbled.
“Two dots and a dash, whiskey down, Miles,” Annie called, slapping the order slip down at the window. Miles twirled his spatula in the air as acknowledgment while Bobby slipped around them to bus more tables.
“Hatton told me the other night he wants to wear his Kromer and swampers down the aisle. I about fell off my chair.”
“He wasn’t serious, was he?”
“If he had any inkling I thought it was funny, he would probably try it. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him in a suit.”
“Never? Your own fiancé?”
“Ha. Most of our dates all winter were scheduled around deer camp.”
She giggled more as Annie spotted the Old Timers waving her over to their table.
“Now, Annie, darlin’,” Danny began, “what has Mia so up in a tizzy dis mornin’?”
“She’s young and in love.”
“Is dat all?” Joe asked, accepting a refill of coffee.
“And she’s counting down the days until her wedding.”
Danny nodded. “I remember what it was like to be young and in love. Gracie and I will celebrate forty-nine years in September, dontcha know.”
“You’ll have to plan something big for your fiftieth.”
“Well, I been tinkin’ about dat, and dere are tree tings she might like—jewelry, goin’ out to eat in a fancy restaurant or goin’ on a trip.”
“You should definitely take her on a trip,” Annie said.
“I could do dat. Maybe I’ll surprise her and take her early. You know, as I was tellin’ Earl here, you can’t wait for the right time—you have to seize it.”
“You were telling Earl that, eh?” Annie asked. Earl lowered his newspaper and grumbled something before flipping it up to cover his face again.
“Yes, and I’ll tell yous, too,” Danny continued. “You are too young and purty to not be with a good fella, Annie dear. There are some stand-up fellas out at deer camp who would woo you in a second. You just have to know how to skin a deer, shoot a bow and ride the grade.”
Annie laughed. “I’m a trooper, Danny. Remember? I don’t think I’d fit the bill.”
“Well, even gals born south of the Mackinaw Bridge deserve a good man to love. There are some nice trooper fellas around here, too. Take William, for example.”
“That’s true,” Joe agreed. “He’s been off seeing da world for all these years, and I don’t think he and Joyce moved to the Upper Peninsula until he was in grade school. He’s a true trooper, and yous two would be perfect together.”
“Why are you so determined to fix me up?” Annie asked, glancing at the other tables she needed to visit. “Why don’t you find Earl a girlfriend already?”
Danny leaned forward and motioned for her to do the same. “He’s a bit slow to warm up. We’ve been workin’ on him for about tree years.”
Through the front window, Annie spotted William, surprised to find him still driving his truck. Entering the diner, he nodded to the Old Timers before continuing to the counter. Annie tagged close behind him.
“Your truck,” she sputtered.
“What about it?”
“You still have it.”
“Haven’t you sold that thing yet dare, William?” Joe called over the clanking of coffee cups and morning conversations.
“I might hang on to it awhile longer, Joe.”
“Aw, that’s fine, that’s fine.” Joe nodded.
“Are you helping, then?” Annie asked as he moved behind the counter and plucked a pastry out of the display case. William looked away as he chewed a large bite of cheese Danish. “Well?” she persisted, pressing forward. William, apparently unconcerned about hurrying on her behalf, kept chomping. In fact, a grin spread over his face as if he were amused with her questions. “William.”
“Listen, Annie,” he finally began. “I don’t need you breathing down my neck for the next couple of weeks.”
“Couple of weeks? Is that all?”
“I need to get mom set up with a system that works around her before I move on.”
“What’s wrong with my system?” Annie scowled.
“Your system?” William huffed. “Well, for starters, you’re not making any money, or isn’t that what you told me the other day?”
Annie spun on her heels and scooted around the counter. “I don’t have time to listen to you. I have tables to wait!”
If William thought he was going to loiter around for a few weeks and put a bandage on Pop’s Place to solve his mother’s problems and alleviate his guilt, he was in for a rude awakening. Joyce didn’t need a few weeks; she needed a full-time son. Annie wouldn’t let him leave town again without Joyce—
CRASH!
Annie’s heart jolted as she tore around the counter.
“Good heavens!” Joyce screeched. Sprawled on the dining room floor, broken breakfast dishes scattered about her, Joyce flailed helplessly.
“I’m so sorry, Joyce,” Bobby cried, his face white with horror. “I didn’t see you there.”
“It was my own fault,” Joyce wailed, trying to clutch her foot. “I was hurrying and knocked into you.”
“Ma, what happened?” William exclaimed, sprinting over to her.
“Your dear old mother is a certified klutz. That’s what happened. Get me to a chair, would you?”
“Here,” Earl immediately offered, hurrying to grab Joyce’s other arm. “You can elevate your foot on this bench.”
Annie did a double take as Earl pushed in front of her and hoisted Joyce gingerly into a booth.
“Oh, my. Thank you, Earl.” Joyce beamed, patting him gently on the hand as soon as she was settled. “It’s nice to know there are still good men around.” Earl nodded curtly without tearing his eyes from Joyce.
William knelt down, gently taking his mother’s foot into his hands. “Does it hurt, Mom?”
“Oh, my, yes,” she moaned, wincing at his touch. “I can’t go anywhere on it.”
“I need to get you to the emergency room.”
“Yes, but not right now, dear. Your appointment with Arnold is in ten minutes. That’s why I was hurrying in the first place. Please let me just rest here for a while.”
“That’s not a big deal. Arnold will understand why we need to reschedule.”
“We will do no such thing! You said yourself that time was of the absolute essence. You go on ahead and meet him, and please take Annie with you.”
Annie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Who’s Arnold? I have tables to cover.”
“It’s really not necessary, Mom. I know what we’re in the market for.”
“Nonsense,” Joyce insisted. “Annie knows the ins and outs of running this place the way I do, and she will have valuable insight. You two take a few tours and let me know what you find. I’ll take it easy here and try to keep the swelling down. I wouldn’t mind a morning off to sip coffee and catch up with old friends.” She beamed at Earl again, making his ears flush red.
“Don’t worry,” Earl interjected, straightening his Kromer hat. “I’ll personally care after Joyce.”
William straightened and rubbed his jaw. He
looked as though he were deep in thought. “Well... Annie, are you up for a drive?”
“Does somebody want to fill me in, please? Who’s Arnold?”
“There’s no time, dear,” Joyce said, her voice laced with urgency. “Mia can cover your tables.”
Annie eyed William. “I guess I can go if you really need me—”
“I don’t think I need you to go, but if you want to tag along for the morning—”
“Oh, for goodness sakes!” Joyce cried. “Will you two get out of here? The appointment is in six minutes.”
Annie removed her apron and grabbed her purse. In the blink of an eye she had been roped into spending the entire morning alone with William, and she didn’t have the faintest idea why.
* * *
ARNOLD HARDY WAS dutifully waiting outside the first location, trying to end a phone call. A stout man in his late fifties with thick black hair and capped white teeth, he resembled a caricature of a person.
“How are we doing?” he greeted them, his eyes darting back and forth between him and Annie.
William clasped Arnold’s hand in a firm shake. “Eager to get started.”
“Come on in then!” Arnold led them inside a detached shop that years earlier had been Cappaletti’s Italian restaurant. William gazed longingly around the spacious dining room, savoring love at first sight. The place had a gorgeous view of the lake and plenty of room to expand. All it needed was a coat of paint and new window treatments, and the place could be ready in a week. He couldn’t believe their luck.
He didn’t want to spit right out in front of Arnold how he’d fallen for the spot, so he came up next to Annie to get her read on it.
“What do you think?” he whispered as she picked up a buyer’s sheet. He and Arnold both jumped in alarm when she burst out laughing.
“Not what you’re looking for?” Arnold winced.
“We can always negotiate,” William began, but Annie started laughing, turning to the real estate agent.
“Where’s the next place, Arnold?” she asked.
“Don’t you even want to check the kitchen?” he suggested, trying to lead her there.
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