Calling Charlie

by Pamela M. Kelley

  “Sure thing.” Josh glanced at the two salespeople, “Sorry, guys. Catch you later.”

  When they walked outside, Josh stopped and looked at Charlie’s jeans and sweatshirt. “You could have made some effort. Those guys probably thought you were a bum off the streets.”

  “Well, that was a big mistake.” Charlie laughed as he pictured the looks on the two salespeople’s faces as they watched their fat commission disappear.

  Josh grinned. “All right, then. Let’s go shopping.”

  An hour later, Charlie carried three huge bags of new clothes to his car. He’d gone a bit crazy, as it had been a long time since he’d bought anything new for himself. And unlike Brennan’s, which only carried suits and tuxes, Jones Menswear had everything, including jeans and casual wear. He found a tux that fit him like a glove except for the length, and they measured him and pinned the minor alteration that needed to be made for it to fit him perfectly. He’d go back in a week for a final fitting.

  Josh looked at him thoughtfully. “So, you’re looking good these days. Are you ready to get back out there? I might know of a few people I could set you up with,” he said as Charlie stashed his bags in his trunk.

  Charlie dreaded the thought of a blind setup with one of Josh’s friends. He couldn’t imagine ever agreeing to that. But, he knew Josh meant well.

  “Thanks. Can I get back to you on that? I don’t think I’m ready for a fix-up just yet. How are things with you and Liz? Have you gone ring shopping yet?”

  Josh had been dating a great girl, Liz Cunningham, and Charlie thought they would have been engaged by now. He didn’t know what Josh was waiting for. They’d been dating for three years now and it was obvious that they were perfect for each other. A pained look crossed Josh’s face.

  “She gave me an ultimatum, actually. Our three-year anniversary was two weeks ago, and I guess she expected a proposal. When I saw her mid-week, she sat me down and told me I had to make a decision and that if I wasn’t ready to commit to marriage, she was out of the relationship.”

  Charlie shook his head. He couldn’t believe his best friend was so stupid.

  “And you told her no?”

  “I told her that I wasn’t going to be forced into a proposal!”

  “I can’t imagine that went over very well.” As much as he liked Josh, he also felt that Liz deserved better than that. She was a great girl. Hopefully, Josh would figure it out before it was too late.

  “So, are you missing her yet?”

  “Of course. But, I’m getting right back out there. I had a date Saturday night with an incredible girl! We’re going out again next weekend.”

  Charlie’s jaw dropped. “Already?”

  Josh nodded as his phone rang. He glanced at it, then waved at Charlie. “I gotta take this. Talk to you later.”

  Charlie was back in Quinn Valley an hour later. He was on his way to his home office when his phone rang and he saw it was Eloise, his office manager. He barely said hello when she started talking in a rush.

  “Joe just called and his wife is being rushed to Riston. Her water broke early. He wants to know if anyone can finish his deliveries. He has two stops left.”

  “Of course. Tell him to bring the truck back to the warehouse. We’ll get someone to finish up. Is anyone back yet?”

  “No, I don’t expect anyone back for a few more hours.” Mary sounded worried. Charlie knew she was anxious for Joe, as it was his first baby. The whole office had a pool going on when the baby would arrive, though no one expected it would be this soon.

  “I’ll do it, then. I’m on my way back from Lewiston and will be passing by anyway in a few minutes. Tell Joe I said congratulations.”

  Five minutes later, Charlie arrived at the warehouse and saw Joe’s truck waiting for him. The keys were on the driver’s seat, under the two stapled delivery sheets. He picked them up to see where he was going. His first stop was at Nick’s Pizza and his second was at Quinn’s Pub. And Maggie was working. He took a deep breath. This wasn’t how he’d planned to first meet her. He hadn’t been in Quinn’s for years. He hadn’t needed to. They’d been clients forever and Joe had been delivering to them for almost ten years.

  He made his first delivery and then, with a pit in his stomach, he headed toward Quinn’s. It was almost three and the restaurant was quiet. It was a good time for a delivery as he wouldn’t be in anyone’s way. They liked to avoid delivering during the busy times when possible.

  He pulled into the loading spot near the front door, piled cases of beer, alcohol and wine onto a dolly and made his way in. He’d have to make a few trips as Quinn’s always had a good-sized order. When he stepped inside, it was empty except for Ryder who was sitting at the bar, writing on a notepad and drinking coffee. To Charlie’s relief and disappointment, there was no sign of Maggie.

  Ryder jumped up when he saw him and started loading the cases onto the bar counter. “You guys must be short-handed today,” he said.

  Charlie nodded. “Joe’s wife is having her baby early. They’re on their way to the ER.”

  “Maggie’s in the kitchen, she should be out in a few minutes. I’ll help you get the rest of this in.” Ryder followed Charlie out to the truck and helped him to load the rest of the order onto two dollies. They always had a spare in the trucks in case one broke or there was an extra pair of hands to help bring the order in.

  Ryder led the way into the restaurant. Maggie was back behind the bar and smiled when she saw them. Charlie stopped short for a moment, dazzled by the power of her smile close up. He recovered quickly, though, and he and Ryder quickly loaded everything onto the bar. Maggie came to their end of the bar, held out her hand and smiled.

  “Hi, I’m Maggie. I don’t think we’ve met before? Joe must have the day off.”

  “His baby came early,” Ryder said.

  “I’m Charlie Keane. It’s great to finally meet you, Maggie.” He smiled and shook her hand, not surprised that her hands were soft, even though she worked them hard.

  Surprise and something else, confusion maybe or disappointment more likely, flashed across her face.

  “Oh, this is a nice surprise! It’s great to meet you, too. Is..is everything okay with Joe’s baby?” She looked worried suddenly. “It’s very early, isn’t it?”

  “Just a few weeks. It should be fine, hopefully,” he assured her.

  “Oh, good.”

  Just as Charlie was searching for something to say, the front door opened again and a deliveryman came in holding a huge bouquet of red roses. He looked around and then walked toward the bar.

  “I’m looking for a Maggie Quinn?”

  “That’s me.”

  “Well, then, these are for you!”

  Maggie looked shocked and a bit uncomfortable as she opened the small card that was tucked inside the flowers.

  “Wow, look at that. Who sent you those?” Ryder asked.

  Maggie was quiet for a minute. “That guy I went out with the other night. I didn’t expect this.”

  “Josh sent you those? You must have made quite an impression. Are you going out again soon?”

  She nodded. “We’re supposed to do something next weekend.”

  “Josh Winters?” Charlie felt a sense of dread as he asked the question. It couldn’t be, could it?

  Maggie looked startled. “Yes, do you know him?”

  “I do. He’s my best friend, actually. Josh is a great guy.” He was, and now Maggie was completely and totally off-limits. Not that he ever really had a chance with her, anyway. Josh was definitely more her type. They’d make a very photogenic couple and Josh always liked having his picture taken.

  “What a small world,” Maggie said softly.

  Charlie turned to leave. “I should probably get going. Great to finally meet you, Maggie. Ryder I’ll see you Thursday night?”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Bye, Charlie,” Maggie said. The last thing he saw was her smile as he wheeled the dollies ou
t to his truck.

  Chapter 3

  “So that was Charlie,” Maggie said as Ryder sat back down at the bar and picked up his pen. He scribbled something on his notepad and then looked up.

  “Yeah. He’s a great guy. Not as much of a looker as Josh, though. Are you excited to go out with him again?”

  Maggie thought about that. She wasn’t nearly as excited as she should be. “Sure, I had a fun time with Josh. He’s good company.” He had made her laugh all through dinner with funny stories. But there had been a distance there, too, which made her all the more surprised when the roses arrived.

  “Be careful not to fall too hard for him. He may be on the rebound,” Ryder warned.

  “Josh is?”

  “He didn’t mention that he just ended a relationship that everyone thought would turn into an engagement?”

  “No! He didn’t say a word.” He hadn’t revealed anything personal, now that Maggie thought back to their conversation. It had been all light and fun, nothing personal other than that he’d grown up in Riston and his family still lived there. She realized that’s where he probably knew Charlie from as he’d once mentioned that he’d lived there when he was younger until his family moved to Quinn Valley and his father started the liquor business that he eventually took over.

  “Who was Josh dating?” Quinn Valley was a small town. If she was local, chances are that Maggie knew her or knew of her.

  “Liz Cunningham.”

  Maggie nodded. She did know Liz, though not well. She was a few years younger than Maggie, the same age as her younger sister, Ivy, actually. Liz was a nurse, like Maggie’s friend, Cameron. They both worked at the Riston hospital. Which explained why the few times she’d seen Josh in Quinn’s, he’d been with friends. Liz was probably working the evening shift those nights. It explained why she sensed a distance during their date, even though Josh had been attentive.

  She’d liked him, but as beautiful as he was, and Josh was one of the most handsome men she’d dated, she didn’t feel that certain spark. She’d already agreed to go out with him again, though, and she was glad that she knew about Liz. Not that there was any danger of falling hard for Josh. He was fun, though, and it was a good way for her to ease back into dating.

  She thought back to the look on Charlie’s face when he’d introduced himself. He seemed uncomfortable and she guessed that it was because he hadn’t planned on meeting her that way. She was glad, though, that she’d finally met him. He didn’t look anything like how she’d pictured him, not at first. But once he’d smiled and said her name, she’d felt as drawn to him as she’d been to just his voice, especially when he took her hand. She actually got goosebumps for a moment and was rendered speechless. No wonder he looked at her funny.

  And she wasn’t at all happy to learn that he and Josh were best friends. She hoped that wouldn’t scare Charlie off, though she was afraid that it might. It was possible her interest might be entirely one-sided, and Charlie could just be friendly with all his customers. She was still looking forward to their lunch meeting which was only a week away.

  “Maggie? Did you hear a word that I just said?” Ryder asked.

  She snapped back to attention. “Sorry, I was daydreaming. What did you say?”

  “Remember I tried to talk to you earlier today when you were on the phone with Charlie? And then we got busy. I’m worried about Bethany.”

  “What’s wrong?” Maggie was a huge fan of Bethany. She’d been Ryder’s high school sweetheart, then moved away after graduation to go to cooking school and work in Manhattan. She eventually found her way back to Quinn Valley and to Ryder, and Maggie had never seen her brother so happy. Or the customers at Quinn’s so satisfied. Bethany was a great chef.

  “She hasn’t been feeling right lately. She said her back has been killing her and she’s been exhausted. She looked ready to drop an hour ago. She was scheduled to work the evening shift, too, but I called Will in to cover for her.” Will was one of their assistant chefs and he’d learned a lot from Bethany, enough to work several evening shifts a week on his own now.

  “What do you think it is?”

  “She says it’s nothing other than her advanced age.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of Bethany’s joke as they were the same age. “Standing on her feet all day in the kitchen is catching up to her. But it’s never bothered her before. She doesn’t want to go, but I got her to agree to call her doctor just to make sure there’s nothing serious going on.”

  “That’s smart. Maybe she just needs some time off?” Bethany and Ryder really hadn’t taken more than a few days off for months. “You guys should take a long weekend, head to Seattle or do a staycation and visit the spa at the hotel or at River’s End Ranch. Pamper yourselves.”

  Ryder nodded. “I like your way of thinking. That’s not a bad idea. And Will and Peter could hold down the fort for a weekend if Bethany prepared them for it.” Peter was their broiler cook and about their mother’s age. He’d been with Quinn’s for years.

  “Mom could always pitch in if needed, too,” Maggie said. Their mother had run the kitchen at Quinn’s until a few years ago when Ryder and Maggie bought her out and became co-owners. Their youngest sister, Ivy, worked in the restaurant, too, as a server. Their other brothers, David and Carter, ran their own food-related businesses.

  “That’s true. She might love it, actually.”

  Maggie nodded in agreement. Their mother still came by most mornings to have coffee with them and chat. Once she’d hired Bethany, she’d known Quinn’s was in good hands and soon after, she reconnected with Harry Peterman and the two of them had been as thick as thieves since. She still insisted that they were just ‘very good friends.’ But her children knew better.

  Maggie was thrilled for her, and Ryder too. Although they all still missed their father, he’d been gone for years now. They’d urged their mother to date, especially this past year, but she’d insisted that she had no interest, and she hadn’t until Harry walked by the restaurant one day.

  Bethany came out of the kitchen, untied her apron and slid onto the chair next to Ryder.

  “Will’s here. I’m going to take off in a few minutes.” Her eyes looked heavy and tired, and she grimaced as she shifted position in the chair and touched her hand to her back.

  “I’m sorry that you’re not feeling well,” Maggie said. “I have some Advil behind the bar if you need some? And I just made a pot of fresh coffee.”

  Bethany smiled. “I’d love an Advil. I forgot to put mine in my purse this morning. And a small cup of coffee sounds great, too. I need something to wake me up, especially if I’m going to make it through Dancing with the Stars tonight.”

  “Are you still coming to Gram’s? I’m sure she’d understand if you skipped it.” Most Monday nights, a bunch of women, mostly family and a few friends, gathered at their grandmother’s house for a pot luck dinner and to watch Dancing with the Stars on her big screen TV. Maggie wasn’t as much a fan of the show as she was just happy to spend the evening with her family. There were five sprawling branches of the Quinn family and she never knew who’d show up each week. It was nice to see some of her cousins that she didn’t get to visit with as much as she’d like. She was feeling out of touch as she’d had to miss the last few Monday’s due to work.

  “I’m going to see how I feel. If I can lie down and rest for a bit, I might go. I like seeing everyone.” She grimaced again and Maggie understood Ryder’s concern.

  “Have you made an appointment to see your doctor yet?” she asked.

  Bethany nodded. “I checked my messages earlier and they confirmed an appointment for Wednesday morning.”

  “Good.” That was just a few days away. Hopefully they’d have some answers soon. Bethany really did look exhausted. Maggie wondered if it was just being on her feet all day and working too much. Sometimes her own back ached if she worked a few doubles in a row, both lunch and dinner shifts. She tried not to do that unless it was absolutely necessary.
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  “All right, I’m off. Hopefully I’ll see you tonight, Maggie.” Bethany took a last sip of coffee, kissed Ryder goodbye and slid off her bar stool.

  Maggie added a bit of Grand Marnier, the final touch to her contribution to the evening’s pot luck—a pitcher of freshly mixed margaritas. Her grandmother wasn’t much of a drinker, but she always liked to have one small glass of whatever Maggie made. Everyone else would be bringing an appetizer, or dessert. Their grandmother usually provided the main course, either lasagna or a roast of some sort.

  When she arrived at the ranch, there was already a small crowd gathered. Her mother and a few of her aunts were sipping wine in the kitchen. Her sister, Ivy, was chatting with their cousin, Robyn. And two of her grandmother’s close friends, Gertie and Ruby, were fussing over a platter of cheese and crackers, one cutting more cheese while the other arranged the crackers just so.

  “Maggie!” her grandmother called out when she saw her. She pulled her in for a big hug and raised her eyebrow at the pitcher she was carrying. “What have you made for us tonight?”

  Maggie smiled. “Margaritas.” Her grandmother’s favorite.

  “Splendid!” She turned to her friends. “Could you girls get some nice glasses out for us?”

  Once everyone who wanted a margarita had one, Maggie roamed around and chatted with everyone.

  She looked up in surprise when Bethany walked in, holding a casserole dish covered in tin foil. Maggie went over to help and took the dish from her. “I can’t believe you made something too. Are you feeling better I hope?”

  Bethany smiled tightly. “A little. I did get a short nap in, and cooking relaxes me. This is nothing impressive, though. Just my taco dip. I can make that in my sleep.”

  Maggie’s stomach rumbled. Bethany’s taco dip was legendary. And it was easy to make, Maggie could attest to that. It was just ground beef or turkey browned up with taco seasoning, a can of refried beans and a cup or so of shredded cheese. Bethany added more cheese on top, so that it got bubbly and delicious when she reheated it.