She’d bought open-ended airline tickets when his father went into remission. They had grand plans to travel the world after Luke’s graduation from law school. But then the cancer returned, a million times more aggressive than before. His health deteriorated quickly, and they lost him four months later.
Colt forced the painful memories aside with a gulp of coffee, wincing as it burned the back of his throat. “Why don’t you use them, Mom? You were always talking about vacationing on a quiet beach with a comfy lounge chair and a stack of books. The Greek Isles are beautiful this time of year. You could take a friend with you.”
Maggie set the plates on the table and settled in the chair beside him. “Maybe someday.”
Colt bit back a sigh. She’d been saying the same thing for almost a decade. “Want me to take you? I’m a pretty good tour guide.”
She smiled softly. “I’m sure you are, sweetheart. And I appreciate the offer. Maybe someday.”
There were those words again.Maybe someday.
His parents recited the mantra their entire marriage.
And one thing he’d learned from his father’s passing was that the only thing worse than living with regrets…
Was dying with them.
Chapter 3
Savoring the scent of aged leather and ink, Penny unabashedly brought the frayed spine to her nose, inhaling deeply.
Beverly’s lips arched in an appreciative smile. “I do the same thing and always get the most humorous stares.”
“People don’t know what they’re missing.” After checking in the worn copy ofGreat Expectations, Penny moved on to the next book in the tall stack of returns.
“You don’t have to help, you know. As much as I appreciate the company, you’ve already done me an enormous favor by taking over my article for the guidebook.”
“I don’t mind. Sorting the return pile always soothes me. Besides, Bree keeps begging me for more hours at the shop so she can bulk up her savings before leaving for college.”
Plus, Penny missed spending time at the library with Beverly, soaking up the bewitching energy of a thousand stories yet to be explored.
“And why do you need soothing?” Beverly asked. “Is something troubling you?”
Penny shrugged. “Nothing specific. Just a general malaise.”
As she shuffled through the old-fashioned card catalog, Beverly cast a sideways glance in her direction. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain handsome young gentleman who’s prolonged his stay in town, would it?”
“Who, Colt?” Penny pulled a face. “No. Although, if Iwereto find his presence stressful, it would be perfectly understandable. You remember what a terror he was.”
“He was certainly a spirited child,” Beverly admitted with a soft chuckle.
“You’re being nice. I think corralling all of Bill Tucker’s chickens in the high school auditorium right before graduation was a little more than spirited.”
At the memory, Beverly burst out laughing. “My heavens! I’d forgotten about that!”
“Well, I haven’t,” Penny mumbled. One of the hens had laid an egg on her chair. A fact she hadn’t noticed until she heard the unpleasant crunch when she sat down.
After wiping a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye with an embroidered handkerchief, Beverly tucked it inside the pocket of her lightweight cardigan before handing Penny the appropriate card. “At least there’s never a dull moment when he’s around.”
“I’d prefer dull over deadly. Remember when he set off firecrackers in the gazebo? He almost lit the entire town on fire.” Tension crept up her shoulders at the memory. Gritting her teeth, she roughly slid the card into the sleeve secured on the inside cover.
“Yes, that was a rather dangerous prank,” Beverly conceded. “Although, that was quite a long time ago. People mature with age. I’m sure most of his shenanigans have remained in the past.”
“Maybe….” Penny trailed off, still skeptical.
“Why don’t you spend some time with him and find out?” Beverly suggested, her tone a smidge higher-pitched than usual, as though she had a hidden agenda.
“Not a chance.” Penny slammed the book shut a little harder than necessary. “Spending time with Colt is pretty high on my list of things to avoid.” Right before poking a sleeping grizzly bear with a stick.
