The coffee is strong for a filtered drip. That’s fine. I was up late working and taking calls, as I don’t have the luxury of my office, and working remotely can have its drawbacks.But I’ll take it if it means I’m a step closer to reclaiming Savannah, and I can’t seem to think of another way of looking at it. The other week, she was gone before the sheets even cooled. She’s running away, but I’m certain, deep down, she believes we can overcome this obstacle; it’s just taking her a while to get there.
I take a longer sip before setting the mug down on the antique dark wood table. Today’s breakfast is a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a lone pancake because I can’t handle any more full-on breakfasts complete with cinnamon rolls and sausage. This is considered light, and I didn’t want to offend Glenda, the inn owner. The sun seeps through the lace curtains, and I’m debating whether to make my not-so-casual walk along Main Street and face Savannah on the other side of the street, throwing me a token glare, or to continue working from my room, hoping she shows up to talk.
Other guests haven’t bothered me. They come and go, and I usually have my breakfast before or after they all leave. I have been going back and forth to the city for the last two weeks. The other day, I felt it. Her glare softened, and yesterday her eyes lingered on me a few seconds longer than usual.
“More coffee?” Glenda comes through the swinging door from the kitchen carrying a porcelain pot with an overdone yet honest smile. She’s in her sixties, and this place is her love and joy.
“No, thank you.” I glance at the front page of the local newspaper on the table. I chuckle to myself. Not an ounce of world news, only a picture of the local high school graduation and a column about the upcoming festival. That sends a wave of fondness through me.
Maybe Glenda notices. “Everyone is excited that Savannah will be back to fulfill the queen's duties.It’s a big deal.”
“I can get that. She is queen material.” My queen, to be exact. The sound of a ping indicates that I got a message, and I quickly flip my phone over on the table to see that a message came in from the investigator I hired.
Got what you needed. Sent digital. The physical docs were couriered to you.
That’s a relief, as he was a day away from being fired because this has been taking too long. I need something to help me solve the problem that pushed Savannah away in the first place.
“By any chance did I receive something?”
Her body bounces from the reminder. “Oh, I almost forgot.”She sets the pot of coffee down on a hot plate on the high side table against the wall, where there’s a basket with a napkin and donuts. “This came for you. A delivery manbright and early.I was busy in the kitchen but noticed him lurking outside, and he seemed harmless enough.” She slides a big manila envelope off the table and hands it to me.“Seemed important.”
I accept it and quickly break the seal.
“I’ll let you be. The oven timer is about to go off.”
My eyes do a quick appraisal of the room, and I squinch my face at her. “More food? Breakfast is a little overboard today.”
She scoffs at me. “Not for breakfast, silly. I’m making a new batch of cookies for tea today,” she tells me in passing.
I grin to myself because that lady is pure hospitality, and she keeps to the preservation of the inn and spirit.She offers afternoon tea to guests. Typically, I take a pass. I’m not a tea drinker, but she leaves me cookies just in case.
All alone in the dining room yet again, I lift the seal and pull out the document. Instantly, my mood has been lifted, and a sly line forms on my mouth. I’m positive that I appear to be a man right now who received victory, and not by any means aboveboard either.
“Bull's eye.” I sort through the photos and receipts, looking for everything I need to get me closer to where my life should be.
I liftmy sunglasses as I slide onto the booth bench directly across from my father at a diner, a town over from Everhope. I feel the lack of emotion for the man, except satisfaction that I’ll land on top, especially with the envelope by my side.
He ditched the tie today, and his unemotional facial expression has a glint of curiosity in his eyes. I don’t seeanything of myself in him except a similar chin people say we have.
“Julian.” He’s curt.“Long time. Care to enlighten me as to why I find myself at a diner where there are grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu?”
“Too lowly for you?” I smile cheekily, only to let it fall. “It was easy for you, as you have a driver, I’m sure. And like a real man, I have my Jag to drive myself.” I’m surprised he agreed to meet me here. I didn’t want to head back to the city, nor did I want to have this conversation in Everhope, either. Luckily, Lake Spark County has options. I guess when you say to your dad that it’s important and it’s been years since we’ve spoken, then his interest is piqued, and he would drive anywhere without question.
“Shall we cut to the chase? You don’t bother with any holidays, any board meetings, and you don’t even send a hello to your old man every now and then. So why the sudden need to see me urgently?” He glances briefly at the waitress who sets down a coffee for him, and I indicate for her to get me one too.
I let out an audible breath. “No need to pretend that we have a happy family. We let that go years ago when you showed your true colors. However…” I hold my finger up. “Some things never change. For example, your lack of commitment.”
He scoots closer to the table. “You’re the one who didn’t want a relationship,” he bitterly reminds me.
I quirk my lips out and hum a slight sound. “Hmm. Was there even a relationship after you backstabbed your own family?”
“Cut the crap and grow up.”
“Oh, I have. You know, Haven Crossroads has been named one of the top companies in the country, and I musthave missed it, but I didn’t see yours there. Either way, let’s not play a game and get right to it, shall we?”
With pleasure, I toss the manila envelope onto the table, and it lands with a thud.
“What’s this?”
