Once they got to Joe’s, Trevor knocked on the door and waited. Hearing Joe’s voice telling them to come in was like music to Lexi’s ears. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t cry, but when she saw him sitting up in bed and laughing with Caleb and Gina, the tears began to pour.
“Alexis,” Joe said, his voice still raspy from all the smoke he’d inhaled. “What are you doing out of bed, girl? You should be resting.”
“That’s what I tried to tell her, but you know Lex,” Trevor teased.
“Yes, I sure do. Stubborn to the core, just like her mama. Those nurses and doctors tell you things for a good reason, young lady.”
Lexi didn’t even mind the razzing she was getting, because it meant Joe was alive.
“Don’t let him fool you, Lex,” Gina said. “Just this morning, I came in and found him out of bed and half-way down the hall before any of the nurses even realized he’d left his room.”
“What?” Joe said innocently. “I wanted my coffee, and no one was around to bring it to me.”
Caleb said, “Guess neither one of you are good at following directions.” Under his breath, he added, “Not that I’m surprised.”
“Hey,” both Lexi and Joe said at the same time. The room erupted in laughter.
God, it feels good to laugh again.Holding her casted hand to her side to help with the pain the movement caused, Lexi looked up to find Trevor staring down at her. The emotion behind his eyes something she couldn’t place.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” Joe said to Lexi. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.” He looked at Gina and Caleb. “All of you, actually.”
“Okay.” Lexi looked at him as they all waited.
“It’s about the diner.”
“Oh, Joe. I’m so sorry,” Lexi apologized, but Joe didn’t want to hear it.
“Now, look here. Neither one of you”—he pointed first to Lexi, then to Trevor—“is responsible for what that sonofabitch did. He was his own man who made his own decisions, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
Blinking at the stern tone of his voice, Lexi said, “Okay.” Because really...what else could she say?
“Yes, sir,” Trevor respectfully agreed at the same time.
“Good. Now thatthat’sbeen settled, what I wanted to tell you was, I’ve decided not to rebuild the diner.”
“What?” Gina asked, clearly shocked by Joe’s revelation.
“But, Joe...that diner’s you’re whole life,” Lexi said softly.
“That’s precisely why I’m not rebuilding.”
“I don’t understand,” Caleb said from the chair he’d pulled up closer to Joe’s bed.
“Don’t get me wrong.” Joe shook his bald head. “That diner’s been a wonderful business to own. And you all”—he looked around the room—“you’ve become my family. But, I’m not getting any younger. I still have most of my wife’s life insurance, and it’s been collecting interest since she died. I’ve also managed to put some money away here and there over the years, so I’ll get along just fine.”
“Are you sure?” Lexi asked softly.
“I haven’t been this sure about something since the day I hired you.”
Lexi’s eyes welled up, even as Caleb said, “Wait a minute...you hired me a long time after you hired Lex.”
Joe just looked at him and grinned. “I know.”
Gina, Lexi, and Trevor all laughed while Caleb pretended to be offended.
Once the laughter died down, the room went silent for a bit. After a short stretch of time, Lexi gave Trevor a look and somehow he knew what she needed without her even saying it.
Pushing her over to the bed, he helped her stand. Carefully, Lexi leaned down and gave Joe the best hug she could without tearing her stitches. She kissed him on the cheek and said, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
