Chapter 2
Adam Keller downed the last of the beer in his can and then glanced down at his father’s headstone. The four full cans just set there, taunting him, reminding Adam that sharing a beer with his dad was nothing more than a fanciful notion and not something he would ever experience. It was a simple thing, really, a right of passage many boys anticipate—sharing a six-pack while watching a football game, getting together after work for a beer—a simple thing.
It wasn’t that Adam hadn’t been drinking beer before his father died, but he’d been just a teenager back then, still in high school. Ryan Keller may have had his share of beer when he was a teenager, but he didn’t condone that behavior in his son. While some of Adam’s friends back in high school occasionally shared beers with their fathers before reaching legal drinking age, Adam hadn’t. He understood the real reason—sharing a beer would have jeopardized his father’s liquor license for the family restaurant. Ryan Keller had been a stickler for such things. He’d taken the Lucky Lady Restaurant and Saloon very seriously.
Adam had learned to accept his father’s death; after all, it had been almost 19 years since the car accident that changed everything in Adam’s world. It wasn’t as if Adam didn’t have a good life or wasn’t happy. But sometimes—like today—he would start missing his father, long for a connection and simply want to sit down with his dad and share a beer. It wasn’t something he did often, but when the mood struck—maybe once or twice a year—he’d grab a six-pack of beer and head to the cemetery.
Tossing the empty can to the foot of the grave, he glanced up and saw her. Adam froze and wondered how long she had been standing there, staring at him. She was a pretty thing; however, she didn’t appear to be much older than his sister, Sarah, who was a senior in high school. She stood about fifteen feet away, wearing denims and a gray windbreaker that fell to just above her knees. A leather purse hung from one shoulder, and her raven-colored hair was pulled up casually into a high ponytail. The ponytail, along with her bangs, gave her an almost girlish, innocent look.
“Hello,” Adam said, trying to sound cheerful and sober. He realized he must appear odd to her, sitting alone in the graveyard drinking a six-pack of beer like an inebriated homeless man.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I… I was just looking for a grave,” she stammered nervously while taking a few steps in his direction.
“I suppose I look strange, sitting here… drinking beer.” Adam smiled. He considered standing up, which would be the polite thing to do, but he suspected the gesture might make her bolt, and now that he had a closer look, he realized she wasn’t as young as he’d originally thought, and he wanted her to stay. She was quite lovely. Glancing at her hands, he didn’t see any rings.
“No… not… not at all,” she said unconvincingly. She walked closer, now standing just a few feet away.
“My name is Adam Keller. I’d get up, but I figure I’m less threatening if I just stay where I am.”
“Less threatening?”
“Well, I have a mother and a sister. Not sure I’d be thrilled if either one found herself alone in an isolated area with a strange man.”
“Are you trying to scare me?” She frowned and took a step back.
Adam laughed. “No, just the opposite. I guess I’m not doing a very good job, am I? Sorry. Really.”
The young woman glanced down at the headstone next to Adam. It read—Ryan Wallace Keller, Beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. In everlasting love, we will remember.
“Was he a relative?” she asked, nodding toward the headstone.
“My father.”
“I’m sorry.” She sounded sincere.
“It was a long time ago. But sometimes…Well, sometimes I just need to share a beer with my dad.” He grinned, trying to make light of the awkward situation. No one in his family knew he ever did this.
“Well then, I’ll move on. I really didn’t mean to interrupt.” She started to walk away.
“No, wait. Dad and I already had our chat. Are you twenty-one?”
“Excuse me? Why do you want to know my age?”
“I wanted to offer you a beer. It’s still cold. But only if you’re old enough.”
She laughed and said, “Oh yes, I’m old enough. Sad to say I’m much closer to thirty than twenty. But, um… I don’t think so. Thanks anyway.”
Adam found himself delighted to discover she wasn’t as young as she first appeared. While he enjoyed looking at pretty college girls, he was more interested in young women in their late twenties or thirties. Angela had been much younger than he was and that relationship had turned out disastrous. Of course, in all fairness, it wasn’t Angela’s youth that caused the trouble. The girl was nuts.
“It’s still cold. You look thirsty.”
“Actually, I am thirsty. But…”
“Hey, Fred, tell this pretty lady I’m quite harmless and that it’s okay to share a beer with me.”
She hadn’t noticed the groundskeeper was nearby, not until Adam called out his name. Fred walked closer to the pair, carrying the black trash bag.
“Adam Keller is harmless, but I wouldn’t want to get on the bad side of his grandfather,” Fred told her without a hint of a Spanish accent.
“I thought you couldn’t speak English?” she blurted out, sounding annoyed.
“You pulling that again, Fred? No comprende?” Adam laughed and then added, “And he isn’t my grandfather.”
Fred only shrugged and started to walk away. As he left, he called over his shoulder, “Don’t forget to leave your tariff.”
“So, you want that beer?” Adam asked after Fred walked off.
“Aw, what the heck. I am thirsty. My name’s Sophie,” she told him as she walked closer and accepted a beer. Sitting down on the ground near Adam, Sophie opened the can.
“What did he mean about a tariff?” Sophie asked as she took a sip of the beer.
“I never drink more than three beers when I do this. I always leave the rest for Fred. He picks them up, along with the empties. We’ve been doing this for years. Not often mind you—maybe once or twice a year. Now you know my secret. Not even my mother or sister knows I do this.”
“Well, thanks for the beer. I’m not much of a beer drinker, but I was really thirsty.”
“So, Sophie, you aren’t from Coulson are you?”
“No, just passing through.” She took another sip of beer. “How did you know?”
“Just a hunch. Do you always check out cemeteries when passing through?”
“No. But my grandfather’s buried here.”
“I’m sorry,” Adam said quietly.
“Oh, don’t be. He died years before I was born. I just want to see his grave. So, tell me, what’s the deal with Fred? Why did he pretend not to understand me? Would it have been so hard for him to answer my simple question?”
“Who knows about Fred?” Adam shrugged, opening a can of beer for himself. “He’s worked here for years. He’s not a bad guy, but I think it pissed him off when the cemetery management decided to close the main office, which meant visitors to the cemetery are now constantly asking him questions.”
“They closed the office?”
“Not completely. But they no longer keep their posted hours. I suppose it was a way to cut back on expenses. Most people now call the office, leave a message, and arrange appointments. But that doesn’t help those who just stop by the cemetery, like you.”
“Well, I just wanted directions to Sunny Slope Lawn.”
“When we finish our beer, I’ll show you where that is. It’s one of the older sections of the cemetery.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
Adam pulled his cell phone from his pocket and checked the time.
“And then I need to get to work,” Adam told her after tucking his phone back in his pocket.
“You won’t have a problem going to work after having a couple of beers?” Sophie asked.
Adam l
aughed. “No, I’m the boss. Plus, it’s a restaurant and bar, so most of the customers are drinking themselves.”
“You manage a restaurant?”
“Something like that. It’s our family restaurant. My father started it, and after my mother remarried and I finished college, I took it over.”
“Wow, that’s a coincidence. Our family has a restaurant. My grandmother started it, and my father now runs it. I’ve worked in the family restaurant since I was a kid.”
“No kidding? Do you still work in it?”
“That’s up for debate,” Sophie said. “I went to culinary school, and my father assumed I would eventually take over the restaurant.”
“You don’t want to?” Adam asked, although he understood if she didn’t. How he felt about running the Lucky Lady Restaurant could change depending on his mood and the state of business. There were moments he wished he could try something new, yet most of the time, he loved his job.
“We have an Italian restaurant. My grandmother started it when my father was a boy. Her husband is the one buried here. The restaurant has been fairly successful, but I really don’t want to spend my career preparing traditional Italian dishes. Don’t get me wrong, I love Italian food, and my grandmother left us with some incredible recipes. But I’m more interested in preparing somewhat healthier, low-carb dishes. I’ve tried to get my father to add some healthier alternatives, but he keeps telling me not to fix something that isn’t broken.
“I understand what he’s saying. And he’s probably right. His restaurant fills a niche and does it very well. My ideas would probably alienate the loyal customers, and from a business perspective, not a smart move.”
“But it doesn’t change how you feel, does it?” Adam asked.
“Exactly. You understand?”
“Definitely. People don’t appreciate how much work it takes running a restaurant. And when you take over someone else’s, you’re taking over their dream. My mother figured it out when she married her second husband. The restaurant was my father’s dream, not hers.”
“And it isn’t yours?” Sophie asked.
“It has its moments. So, where is this Italian restaurant located?”
“Portland, Oregon.”
“Are you staying long in Coulson?”
“I’m heading up to Clement Falls after I leave here. I’m staying with family.”
“Do you think you’ll be down to Coulson during your visit? If you do, you’ll have to stop by my restaurant, the Lucky Lady Restaurant and Saloon.”
“I saw that when I came into town! Great looking place.”
“Thanks. I hope you get a chance to stop by. I’ll even treat you to lunch or dinner. It isn’t often I get a chance to talk to someone who understands what it’s like growing up in a restaurant family.”
“I’ve often said it’s an insane business… for insane people.” Sophie grinned.
“No kidding. I agree. But I’m extremely fortunate. I have an amazing manager that I inherited from my mom. He does a great job keeping things running when I’m not around.”
“You’re lucky. That’s one thing my father keeps reminding me of. He says I am the only one he trusts to keep an eye on the business when he goes away.”
“Do you have any siblings involved in the restaurant?”
“No. I have two older half-sisters, but they aren’t Dad’s daughters; they’re my mother’s.”
“Another thing we have in common. I have a half-sister, too. Just one, not two. She’s much younger than me, but like you, we share a mom. Is your mother involved in the business?”
“She was. But she passed away about five years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. My dad remarried about a year ago. His new wife works in the restaurant. In fact, that’s how they met.”
“Waitress?”
“Yes.”
“So, how’s that working out?” Adam took a sip of beer.
Sophie shrugged and said, “She’s nice enough, I guess. Makes my dad happy. My grandma didn’t like her very much, but I don’t think Grandma liked my mother very much, either.” Sophie laughed and finished her beer.
“Can’t imagine that makes for a peaceful work environment,” Adam said with a grin.
“No, it didn’t. But Grandma passed away this last summer, so the only drama these days is between my father and me—will I return to the family restaurant or try something new?”
“I think it takes courage to try something new. “
They were quiet for a moment when Adam said, “I should probably help you find your grandfather’s grave before I have to get back to work.”
“What should I do with this can?” Sophie stood up with Adam.
“Just put it with the rest of them. Fred will pick up the empties when he gets his beer.”
Chapter 3
Adam led Sophie to an older section of the cemetery.
“How is it you know this cemetery so well?”
“I spent a lot of time here after my dad died, sometimes coming alone, sometimes with my girlfriend.”
Unexpected disappointment washed over Sophie, although she had no idea why. After all, she didn’t expect to see Adam again after today, and he could have been married with six kids in spite of the fact he wore no wedding ring. She had looked.
“So, why didn’t your girlfriend come today?” Sophie wondered if she had and for whatever reason, had left Adam alone drinking his beer.
“I meant former girlfriend.” Adam chuckled. “Kimmy and I broke up years ago, when we were still in high school.”
“Freudian slip maybe?” Sophie teased.
“What do you mean? Oh, I get it. I secretly wish she was still my girlfriend.” Again, Adam chuckled. “No. But we’re still close friends. She’s my cousin, in fact.”
“Cousin? You dated your cousin?” Sophie wished she could take back the question, but it just popped out. Adam laughed at the inquiry.
“Not by blood. My mother married into her family. Back then, when we were still in high school, we weren’t yet step-cousins. But that’s a long story. Anyway, over Christmas she married a nice guy. They’re a good fit.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. Go ahead, ask.”
“Did you bring your girlfriend here today? I mean your current girlfriend?”
“Is that a way of asking me if I have a current girlfriend?” Adam stopped walking and grinned at Sophie.
“No.” Sophie blushed. “It’s just that when I arrived at the cemetery, at the back entrance, this girl came rushing out. I got the feeling she was running away from something. Not like she was afraid, but maybe had argued with someone. She seemed angry, anxious to leave.”
“No. I didn’t come here with anyone today. But I did see someone earlier. In fact, when I first noticed you, I thought you were her. You were watching me in the same way.”
“Hey, I wasn’t watching you.”
Adam shrugged. “Well, when I looked up, there you were. Just like with her. But when Fred showed up, she took off. I figured she was looking for a grave and found it. What kind of a car did she get into?”
“Car? She didn’t have a car. She just started walking down the road.”
“She didn’t have a car? That’s odd.” Adam frowned. “What did she look like? I couldn’t see her face.”
“She had short dark hair, nice looking. Really amazing eyes, blue. I’ve never seen that shade before. The color almost looked, I don’t know… fake.”
Sophie noticed the color draining from Adam’s face.
“What’s wrong? You know who it might be?”
“No,” Adam shook his head in denial and muttered, speaking more to himself than Sophie, “No, it couldn’t be her. That would be impossible.”
“Who?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing. I don’t know who it was. Odd she didn’t have a car, but there is a spot, about a quarter mile down the road, where she can cut through the trees and
get back to town by foot, without going all the way down the road. Most locals know that shortcut.”
Adam started walking again, Sophie by his side. They came to a massive and elaborate standing tombstone adorned with angels. Sophie stopped to admire the carving and read the inscription.
“Oh my, she died on her birthday. Look, on July 4th.” Sophie reached out and ran her fingers gently over the inscription.
“It’s the oldest headstone here. Of course, the town is relatively new, so compared to other cemeteries, 1949 really isn’t very old.”
“This is more a monument than a headstone,” Sophie murmured, fascinated by the intricate marble carving. “Mary Ellen Coulson. Who was she? Did her family found the town?”
“Her husband did. From what I understand she died not long after they moved here from Chicago.”
“She was fairly young when she died, not yet fifty. But I imagine fifty was considered old back then. Does any of her family still live here?”
“Oh, yes,” Adam answered with a chuckle. “My mother married one of Mary Ellen’s grandsons.”
“Mary Ellen was your great-grandmother?” Sophie asked, turning to face Adam.
“No. Well, I suppose she is my step-great-grandmother. After my father died, my mother married Garret Coulson, who is one of Mary Ellen’s grandsons. He was just a little boy when she died. From stories I’ve heard, he found her. I believe she had some sort of brain embolism or something. From what I understand, she was napping in the library at their mansion, Garret climbed up to take a nap with her, and when his father or grandfather found them later, Garret was sleeping, but his grandmother was dead.”
“Oh my god, that’s so sad. How traumatic for him.”
“I don’t think he understood at the time what was going on. But he does remember it.”
“Interesting, but I guess we should hurry up. I’m sorry for taking so much of your time. I know you need to get back to work.”
“It’s all right. Come on, Sunny Slope Lawn is just beyond those trees.” Adam pointed to a cluster of pine trees about twenty feet away.
After Adam led Sophie to the Sunny Slope Lawn area, he silently watched as she read the headstones, looking for her grandfather’s.
Coulson's Reckoning Page 2
