“No one could have predicted this. We all thought he was improving. I guess it was just his time.”
Shaking his head, Charles spoke. “He seemed to go downhill after your accident. He worried so much about you.”
“As true as that may be, I think he’d been having more difficulties than he led either of us to believe.”
Charles walked closer to the bed. “Goodbye, dear friend. May you rest in peace.” He gently patted the elder’s hand. “I’ll do my best to make amends for my shortcoming.”
Bewildered by Charles’s strange farewell, Amanda frowned thinking there was a special meaning only the two of them were aware of, something she’d never know about.
Charles placed his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to miss him. He took me under his wing, taught me so much about life, the business and the true meaning of family.”
Amanda leaned into her friend, letting him hold her close.
“Let’s get you home. We’ll talk about what has to be done once we’re there.”
She slowly pulled back and looked up at him. “Shouldn’t we go to the restaurant and tell the others?”
“We can do that if you prefer,” he quietly answered.
“Yes, I want both of us to tell them about Poppy’s passing. And I don’t want to go home to an empty house just yet.”
Leading her down the hall and out of the building, he told her not to worry about anything and that he’d help her with all the arrangements. Once in his car, he assured her everything would work out for the best.
“We’ll get through this together, Amanda. We are each other’s family now.”
Physically and emotionally drained, she followed his lead as a little sister would do when her big brother so directed.
“Like Poppy always said, Charlie, you are the best.”
Chapter Eighteen
After three months on the road, Nick realized he couldn’t run away from his problems. He had to get back to civilization, back to his home, and back to work, if he could find a job. On the last leg of his drive home, he stopped to stretch and play fetch the tennis ball with Maxine. While she romped about, he leaned back against his new truck admiring the lush green meadow stretched out before him. He smiled as a warm pleasantness overwhelmed him—the green color reminded him of Amanda Conifer’s dazzling eyes.
His expression quickly changed to a frown. His lips tightened. He shook his head. He should have called her as he’d promise especially since he’d made such a big deal about being a “nice guy” and wanting to get to know her…then trouble had hit, and he hadn’t followed up.
She must think you’re a real loser, Nick. With any hope, it’s not too late and she has a forgiving heart.
Maxine charged across the field at high speed and dropped the ball at his feet.
“Last time, old girl.” He threw her tennis ball as far as he could, then watched in amazement at the dog’s youthful form galloping at top speed to retrieve it. She could probably do this all day. When she returned, he scooted her into the back of his truck so she could get a cool drink of water. “I’ve got two phone calls to make before we head on home.”
He shuffled through his day planner, looking for a special telephone number he had tucked away several months earlier. He dialed Amanda’s condo. After several nerve-wracking rings, a recorded voice responded. “This number is no longer in service….”
“Damn, Maxine, her number is no longer in service?”
You blew it, Dalton. Can’t blame anyone but you for this. Why he waited so long to get in touch with her would forever be a mystery. Disgusted with himself, he dialed another number, his old college friend, Phil Bristol.
Phil owned and operated Quality Foods, a food-supply service doing business throughout Colorado. He’d started his company about the same time as Nick, and as life has it, had been surprised to discover their common interests had gone beyond the fun loving days at the fraternity house. Over the years, the two men had renewed their friendship and developed a solid working relationship.
By the time the call ended, Nick had a job—sales rep for the Denver-Idaho Springs route for Quality Foods.
“Show up here at nine tomorrow, and it’s a done deal. We’ll go over the line of products, prices and other particulars as need be discussed.”
A few hours later, still seething at himself for letting Amanda slip right through his fingers, he pulled into his driveway. Once out of the truck, Maxine ran around the perimeter of the property, reacquainting herself with her territory. Nick carried in his suitcase, quickly unpacked and took off for his sister’s house. He arrived just in time for dinner.
“Never fails,” Monica teased. “Your timing is impeccable. I knew you were coming, but how do know when we’re about to eat? Are you psychic?”
He grinned, opened the refrigerator, and pulled out a plate of leftover chicken and a cold bottle of beer.
“Hungry?”
He nodded. “Absolutely famished. I can’t wait for whatever you’re grilling to be ready. I caught a whiff of the appetizing dinner you’re cooking as soon as I pulled into the driveway.”
Jeff came in from the patio.
“That ‘whatever’ you so casually refer to is steak. Medium rare, right?”
Nick vigorously nodded and mumbled something as the next chicken leg disappeared.
“Good thing I knew you were on your way. I made a ton of extra food, even enough for you to take home.”
Throughout dinner and dessert—his sister’s legendary cherry pie and special gourmet coffee—they exchanged stories and caught up on family news. Nick gave them a quick rundown of what he had done over the past several months.
“I camped in Rocky Mountain Park for a few days, drove to Durango, spent several days catching up with old friends, then I went on to Mesa Verde. When I felt I had enough of commiserating with nature, I made my way to Taos and Santa Fe for some diversity and art festivals. It was great to be on the road without a schedule to follow. Loved every minute of it!”
“Thanks for the many memorable postcards, text messages, calls….”
“Kind of didn’t have time. Then when I reached Vegas, I got too involved doing the tourist thing, a.k.a. gambling.”
Jeff poured another cup of coffee. “I, for one, am glad you’re back.” He tilted his head toward Monica and mouthed, So is she. “Did you break the bank in Vegas?”
“Wish I could say yes, but I only walked away with a few ‘extra pennies’ in my pocket, which is nothing but a sad commentary.”
Then as nonchalantly as possible, Monica dropped a bomb. “Oh, by the way. You’ll never guess who called.”
Her eyes twinkled.
“Probably not, so just tell me, Monica.”
“Amanda Conifer. The girl from the—”
Nick bolted from his chair. “I know who she is. When did she call? What did she say? What did she want? Did she want me to call her back? Did she leave a number?”
His questions shot out like the rapid fire of a machine-gun.
“This outburst must mean you’re fascinated with, interested in, and concerned about the mysterious beauty from the hospital.” Monica knew how to push her brother’s buttons. She slowly and deliberately took a few more forkfuls of her pie, savoring each mouthful.
“Monica.” He leaned over the table in her direction. “You’re enjoying this mental torture, aren’t you?”
She nodded, smirked and sipped her coffee. “This new coffee is the perfect complement to dinner. Tasty.”
“Are you going to tell me, or do I have to disclose one of your childhood secrets? You know I can resurrect quite a few, probably one you never told Jeff.”
She glared across the table at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Is that a challenge?”
Jeff came in from the kitchen.
“You two sound like two teenagers.” He walked behind his wife’s chair, put his hands on her shoulders, and gave her a quic
k massage. “Come on, Monica, stop teasing your brother. Tell the man what he wants to know.”
“It’s amuses me to watch him squirm.” Her teasing expression emphasized her words.
Jeff squeezed her shoulder firmly. “Monica, be his hero, not his tormentor.”
“Okay, Okay… I acquiesce. I’ll tell him.”
Nick’s patience was thinning. “Spit it out, Monica!”
“She called last Thursday, mid-afternoon.” His sister paused, pretending to not remember. “Seemed quite perplexed when a woman’s voice answered your number.”
His sister reached over and tapped his hand. “Don’t fret. I cleared that up right away. She even remembered me from the hospital.
Nick relaxed and motioned for her to continue.
“I got her up to speed on what happened and explained that you decided to take some time away from the city to rethink the future.”
“How’d she react?”
“Well, I’d say she was very sympathetic to your cause.” A smirk crossed Monica’s lips.
Maybe he did have a chance, after all.
“How can I get in touch with her?” He checked his watch. “It’s not too late to call her, is it?”
“Unfortunately, she didn’t leave a number.” Monica held up her finger to stop Nick from interrupting. “She did however say she’d call again.”
“When?”
She shrugged and twirled her dessert fork. “You know what I know.”
Nick paced around the table, mumbling about his stupidity and not calling her sooner.
“You called her?” Jeff asked.
“Yeah, I looked up her number before I left town and stuck it into my day planner. On the way home today, I actually got up the nerve and dialed it. And, know what happened?”
Monica and Jeff exchanged a glance.
“She told you to forget it, right?” Monica’s question hit hard.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence. But no! That’s not even close.” He shook his head in disbelief at his sister. “Her number’s been disconnected.”
“Bummer,” Jeff said. “Now what will you do?”
Before he had a chance to answer, Monica spoke up. “He doesn’t have to do anything.”
The two men stared at her and in unison asked, “What?”
“Just cool your jets. She said she’d call back. Give the girl some time. It’s only been a few days.”
“That’s easy for you to say, my dear sister. You’re not the one who fumbled the situation. You’re not the one who deserves a good kick in the pants. You’re not the one interested in pursuing a relationship.” His heavy-hearted sigh said a lot. “But, Monica, you’re right about me not having much of a choice. I’ll sweat it out for a few days and keep my fingers crossed.”
He thanked his family for taking care of things while he traveled and for the usual “great” dinner, then picked up his care package and left for home. On his way, he kept thinking about Amanda, the girl who seemed to have gotten away. Then unexpectedly, he remembered she said she lived and worked in Crestview with her grandfather.
“I’ll just call her there.”
Nick arrived home at eleven-thirty, hurried into his house, turned on his computer and did a quick search of the Crestview phone directory. No listing for any Conifer. Disappointed he’d never got her grandfather’s last name, he sighed and told Maxine, “Now I wait.”
The need for sleep suddenly manifested itself like the force of an avalanche thundering down a mountain. He set his alarm and turned in for the night. Lying there, staring into the darkness, he recreated his hospital meeting with Amanda. After a few minutes, he came up with the idea of calling the hospital to see if he could get her grandfather’s last name.
“She’s worth the try,” he told his dog who’d curled up alongside his bed. “Wait until you meet her, Maxine. You are going to love her.”
He scratched behind the dog’s ears, fluffed his pillow, and settled into a comfortable position.
Chapter Nineteen
Maxine welcomed in the new day at daybreak with a loud, cautionary growl. Nick buried his head under the pillow, ignoring her concern. He figured it was a small critter roaming around the yard that she wanted to harass. When the doorbell rang and the dog barked in an uncontrollable frenzy, he sprang up from the bed, put on his robe, and dashed down the stairs.
“Take it easy, Maxine. Someone’s come a calling. Let’s see who it is.”
He stroked his dog to calm her, flipped on the light, and unlocked the door. This better be important. No one in their right mind made house calls at this uncivilized hour. Yawning, he opened the door to encounter his friend and new boss, Phil Bristol.
“What are you doing here before the sun comes up?”
“And good morning to you, my friend.”
He grunted a greeting and led the way to the kitchen. While they waited for the coffee to perk, Phil explained his early morning visit.
“I’m leaving town for a few days. Since I’m not going to be at the office long enough to give you a thorough rundown of the system, I thought I’d save you a trip into Denver and drop off all the materials you’d need right away.” Phil tossed a notebook on to the counter and handed Nick some papers. “Here’s the inventory, prices and a list of places you’ll be responsible for, as well a couple of new leads.”
After pouring each of them a cup of coffee, Nick asked, “Cream or sugar?”
Phil waved off the offer. “Straight up and strong.”
Nick scanned the list of restaurants. “I’m familiar with them. They’ve all bought equipment from me over the years.”
“I kind of hoped you were familiar with these businesses. Figured it’d be easier to sell them what Quality has to offer. Some are long-time buyers. Some are on and off again customers, nothing on a regular basis.”
“What about this one on the new lead list?” He pointed to the name located in Crestview. “I’ve heard of it but never been there.”
Phil nodded. “Nice place. We’ve done some business over the years but nothing to talk about. The owner had his own suppliers for years. I couldn’t break his loyalty. Recently, there was a death in the family. There’s a new owner. Might be worth a try.”
“Okay. I’ll make it a priority.”
After a few minutes of small talk, Phil rose to leave. “Planes and trains wait for no man, so I’m told. I got to get to the office to lay out the schedule for the next three days, then rush to DIA to catch an early flight.”
“Thanks, Phil. This job is just what I need to get me back on my feet.”
Before his departure, Phil welcomed Nick to the business with a hardy handshake and sincere wish for success. “Everything you need to know is in the notebook. Read it over. Any questions, just call my secretary, Roberta—she’s good, runs the place.” He laughed. “Sometimes, I think she knows more than me.”
Phil patted his friend on the back, shook his hand again, then walked to the door.
Nick followed close behind. “Can’t tell you how much appreciate this. I won’t let you down.”
Phil gave him a thumb’s up as Nick watched him pull out of the driveway.
* * *
Showered, dressed in jeans, a blue button-down-collar shirt and a navy blue sports jacket, Nick planned his route—Idaho Springs, then Crestview.
Morning traffic and business matters took longer than expected, so when he pulled into Crestview and heard his stomach rumbling, he knew lunch took precedence over any more business.
While driving along the cobblestone street through the center of town, he soaked in the ambiance of the turn of the century building and the small Mom & Pop shops that lined both sides of Main Street. Montgomery’s Movie Emporium. Village Smithy Spa. Curley’s Country Market. Digger’s Deli & Café, Calamity’s Boutique, Italian Farmhouse. What great names. Guess the rumors about Crestview being a hidden treasure were true and an impressive sight. He could understand why the residents wanted to keep it a sec
ret.
The sign for free parking at the Village Car-Corral caught his attention. He turned at the corner and pulled into a large parking lot and found a spot close to the door. What a perfect parking setup for customers.
Once inside the restaurant, the hostess greeted him with a warm, friendly smile. “We’re busy today,” she explained. “There’s about a fifteen-minute wait.”
“No problem. I’ll just sit and enjoy the appetizing aroma of the food I’ve heard so much about.” He pointed to a row of empty chairs along a sidewall. “Is that the holding pen?”
Laughing at his joke, she nodded as he joined a few others who were also waiting to be seated.
Nick gave the restaurant the once-over. He marveled at its combined old world-big city ambiance—quaint and sophisticated. What a surprise to find such a chic place in a small mountain town. Busy lunch. He’d like to see what kind of dinner crowd they had.
Before long, a well-dressed, forty-something man appeared on the scene. He welcomed one of the couples as if they were royalty and personally escorted them to a small, intimate table in one of the dining rooms.
Must be the new owner. I’ll see if the hostess can set up a brief meeting.
When the hostess returned to her podium, Nick approached her. “Excuse me. May I ask your name?”
Smiling, she answered, “Sarah.”
Returning the smile, he continued. “Are you the new owner, Sarah?”
“I only wish.”
“Okay, then, are you the manager?”
“Afraid not. Just the hostess.”
“Hostess it is, then, and a busy one, at that.” His encompassing glance showed her he did not disregard her job. “How long have you been here, Sarah?”
“A few years now. Why?”
He opened his notebook and displayed his new company’s inventory list. “I’m with Quality Foods. First day. I’m told there’s been a change in management.”
Sarah excused herself and turned to thank a party of three for coming in and bid them good day. She turned back to Nick.
Matters of the Heart Page 10