"I'm not a fool, you know. I understand that whatever she left me is probably no longer there. I just want to stand in the place that used to be the lounge, maybe see if there's still a dressing room."
"And a loose brick," she said with a compassionate smile. "It would be a miracle if anything, including the brick, was there."
"I know. It's a waste of time, but I have nothing but time to waste, and it's my decision. I told Catherine that this morning."
"Your granddaughter isn't happy with us helping you," Jax said. "Did you know she called Kaia's supervisor to complain about her interfering in your life?"
"I didn't know that, but don't pay Catherine any mind. I'm still in charge of my life, at least for now."
She wished she didn't have to pay his granddaughter any mind, but she wasn't sure it would work like that. However, that was a problem for another day. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Walter. I'm just worried that you won't, and that will be sad for you."
"I've been sad before. You don't get to my age without experiencing pain. But you also don't get to my age without understanding that some things, some people, are worth fighting for." He straightened as Jax pulled into a parking spot. "Are we here?"
"We are," Jax said.
At his reply, Walter got out of the car. She exited quickly, following him onto the sidewalk, watching as his gaze took in the bookstore.
"It doesn't look like it used to," he murmured.
"Nothing ever does," she said.
He gave her a faint smile. "You got that right."
They walked up the steps together, and when they entered the bookstore, she was happy to see Ellen behind the counter. Ellen immediately stepped away, giving them a smile. "You came back."
"We did," she said, introducing Ellen and Walter.
"Well, Mr. Cobb, you're welcome to go down and look around," Ellen said. "I'm not sure it looks anything like the club you remember, except for maybe the piano. It never got moved because I don't think anyone knew how to get it out of that room. And no one in the family played."
"Reina used to play the piano sometimes," Walter said. "She was a musician as well as a singer. But I liked it best when she just sang her heart out."
"I went to the club once when I was a little girl," Ellen said. "I think it was right before it closed. I was probably six or seven at the time. The singers, the music, the dim lighting, and all the people dressed in fancy clothes made it all seem rather magical. I hadn't thought about that until Kaia and Jax came by yesterday." Her gaze moved to Jax. "I keep racking my brain as to why you seem familiar to me."
"I just have one of those faces," Jax said. "Would you mind if we go downstairs now?"
"Of course not." She led them to the back and down the stairs. After turning on the lights, she waved them into the basement. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Mr. Cobb. Take as much time as you need."
"Thank you," Walter said, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I know I sound like a sentimental fool."
Ellen gave Walter a compassionate smile. "Being sentimental doesn't make you a fool; it just shows you have a big heart."
Walter nodded, his crusty exterior showing signs of emotional stress, but then he squared his shoulders and stepped farther into the room. As Walter's gaze perused the crowded storage room, it lingered for a long moment on the piano, and that was ultimately what drew him across the room.
Seeing Walter put a hand on the dusty piano, his mind clearly years in the past, reminded her of the way Jax had looked at it yesterday.
Walter suddenly turned around. "The dressing room was through a door to the right of the stage."
She turned toward the stage. "I don't see a door."
"It would have been where that armoire is."
Jax moved across the room and pulled the armoire away from the wall.
"Do you see anything?" she asked impatiently.
"Yes," Jax said, surprise on his face as he turned back to them. "There's a door. You're right, Walter. Let me see if I can move this farther away so we can open it."
"Can I help?" she asked, joining him.
