Deal of a Lifetime

by T. R. McClure

  They came out on Fifth Avenue. Alex took her elbow and steered her north. “Wait a minute.”

  She looked up with a smile. “What?”

  “Did you just say your parents’ names were Jack and Jill?”

  Sera laughed. “Can you believe it? But they were quite the team. Mom keeping the home fires burning, allowing Dad to chase his dreams. But they both seemed content, and in the end, isn’t that what matters?”

  They had walked quite a distance as Sera related her family history. When Alex stopped, she stared at the structure before them. Alex waited for her reaction, hoping after all this time she would be happy with the arrangements he’d made. “The library.” She gave him a quizzical look.

  “They’ve done some renovations since you’ve been here for a visit. I thought you’d like to see.”

  “Definitely. I love this place.” Her face lit. “I hear they restored the Rose Reading Room. Can we go inside?”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe his surprise would work out after all. They passed the two stone lions guarding the entrance and took the elevator to the third floor. Walking through the Rose Reading Room, they admired the restored beauty of the ornate ceiling and the murals, not rushing to move on. Eventually, they went back down to the main hall.

  Sera started for the doorway, then stopped and gave him a look. “You keep checking your watch. Do you have an appointment?”

  “I do.”

  “I can find something to do. I could wander around here all day. Did you see the little train carrying books from one floor to another?”

  Growing more excited, he pulled her across the entry. “Actually, you have an appointment.”

  “Me?” Her brow wrinkled.

  A woman rose as Alex brought Sera to a table in a side room and then gave him a hug. “Alex. It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Nomi, this is the woman I told you about. Sera Callahan. She’s from Bear Meadows, Pennsylvania.” He turned. “Sera, this is Nomi Harper. She works in Admissions at Clark.”

  He left the two women. Sera still looked puzzled. Nomi was busy clicking away on her laptop. His decision the day before, as Sera slept in his bed, to call an old friend working at Clark, had paid off. The question was whether Sera would take advantage of the opportunity. Waiting out front next to one of the lions, he watched the multitude of people, cars, buses and taxicabs going up and down the street.

  When Sera finally appeared, the look on her face could only be described as pensive. “What are you doing?”

  He motioned over his shoulder at the stone lion. “I’m keeping Patience company. Or maybe this one is Fortitude. He looked lonely.”

  Sera settled in next to him. “You know what I mean. Why did you set up that meeting?”

  He looked up at the massive structure of the New York Public Library. He had guessed correctly that Sera would want to see something meaningful, something that was once part of her educational experience. What he didn’t know was if she was ready to make a change. He hoped for the best and took the plunge. “If Cy buys your farm, you need to make plans for yourself. You said your dream was to finish college. I met Nomi years ago when we both volunteered on an art project in Bryant Park. I knew she could answer any questions you’d have about returning to school after an absence.”

  Sera just stared at the stream of adults and children hurrying in and out of the building. “She was a wealth of information. She offered to see if my scholarship could be reinstated.” She inspected her nails, a pretty shade of pink. “But, Alex, I haven’t yet decided to sell. There’s Aunt Hope and Shawn and Chance to think about. This decision doesn’t just affect me.”

  “I understand, Sera. But you’ve sacrificed ten years of your life for them. Isn’t it time to do something for you?”

  Pulling her phone from her purse, she spent a couple of minutes searching for something. “My bus leaves in three hours. Maybe I should go pack.”

  “If that’s what you want.” Alex took her hand and waited until he had her full attention. “But I have one more place to take you.”

  * * *

  SHE LOOKED UP at the sign. “A bar?”

  Alex crossed his arms and nodded. “A hard cider bar.”

  Sera patted her belly. Memories of twenty-four hours earlier were still fresh. She wasn’t about to push things. “I think I’ll stick with ginger ale.”

  “Which is fine, but I wanted you to meet my friend Will. He owns the place.” Alex led her into the establishment.

  When they stood just inside, a broad-shouldered, bearded man behind the bar motioned to them. “Hey, you two. Corner table. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Alex led her to a red leather booth. He smiled as they both slid onto the seat. “That’s the owner, Will. Remember the first time we met?”

  She couldn’t hold back the smile at the memory. “If not for Mike and his hard cider, you would have slept in the airport lobby that night.”

  Alex laughed. “I owe Mike. As a matter of fact, I thought I might introduce him to the owner here.”

  Sera blinked. Alex helping out one of the locals was the last thing she expected. “That’s a great idea, Alex. Will could stock Mike’s Flying Apple hard cider.”

  “I like connecting people with opportunities.”

  The man was full of surprises. She bit her lip. “Thank you for taking me to the library this morning. I’ve missed going there whenever I felt like it. The renovations in the Rose Reading Room were amazing. And the train system is so cute.” She propped her chin in her palm and searched his face. “Do you really think I could go back to school? At my age?”

  “Hi. I thought I’d find you here.” Carrie slipped into the booth and settled next to Alex. “Hi, Sera. I’m Carrie. I work with Alex. Don’t tell me Alex’s cousin stood you up?” She waved at the owner and turned back with a swirl of perfect hair. “I hope Alex stepped in.”

  “He did.” She was about to ask Carrie what she did when Will arrived with four bottles.

  After introductions, Alex explained Sera was just getting over a case of food poisoning so Will exchanged her hard cider for a ginger ale. Then he took a seat on the bench beside Sera. She glanced across the table at Alex, deep in conversation with his colleague. Sitting with the trio of friends, Sera was reminded of her days in school, when whether or not to go out for drinks was the biggest decision she had to make. Could she go back to school? Could she find a place for Aunt Hope and Shawn to live in comfortably?

  “Alex said your brother plays in Nashville. Is he with a band?” Her conversation with Alex over, Carrie was focused on Sera and took a sip of her cider.

  “He’s been with a variety of bands. No one you’ve heard of. He graduated high school three years ago and went straight there. I thought he should attend college, but he had other ideas.”

  “School’s not for everyone.” Will leaned both arms on the table and tilted his head toward Alex and Carrie. “I was halfway through the first year of law school with these two until I figured that out.”

  “He dropped out and spent the rest of the year backpacking through Europe.” Carrie took another swig from her bottle. “Good for us, though. Now we have a place to hang out.”

  Will spoke to Sera with a grin. “My dad still gets mad when the subject comes up.”

  Sera thought of Alex’s issues with his father and then wondered what her father would think of her decisions over the last ten years. Glancing at her watch, she started when she noticed the time. “I have to go.” She gave each of the three a smile. “I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long time. But I should be on my way. I don’t want to miss the bus.”

  “I’ll walk with you.” Alex elbowed Carrie to let him out of the booth.

  “You don’t have to.” Sera scooted along the bench seat. If she had learned a
nything in the last hour, it was the clear picture of Alex’s full life in the city and that his time in Bear Meadows was temporary. Any thoughts she had of something more were foolish.

  Alex helped her stand. “Don’t argue. Besides, we’re taking a cab.”

  They said their goodbyes. Out on the street, Alex pointed to the corner. “We’ll have better luck getting a cab on Houston.”

  There wasn’t much chance to talk as the cab raced to Alex’s apartment, where she threw her stuff into her suitcase, and then seemed to arrive at the bus terminal in no time. The bus for Harrisburg was already boarding. They moved away as passengers surged toward the open door of the bus bound for Interstate 80.

  “Sera.”

  “Alex.”

  They both laughed.

  Alex grabbed her arm and pulled her close. “I had a great time this weekend.”

  The heat moved up Sera’s neck and onto her cheeks at the memories of her first night in the city in ages. “Playing nursemaid? I’m sure you’ve had better dates.” She froze as the word left her lips. “Not that this was a date, I mean, Cyrus was supposed to...”

  “Hey, Sera, calm down.” He pulled her even closer, although the crowd seemed to have thinned. “As far as I’m concerned, this weekend was Cy’s loss and my gain.”

  Her body seemed to move toward Alex’s, as if her feet were on a magic carpet. “I think so, too.”

  “Just before Carrie interrupted us, you asked if I thought you could return to school at your age. Personally, I think anyone can return to school at any age. If the school accepts you into the program again, I think you’d be crazy not to accept.” He leaned in so his lips were only inches from hers and lowered his voice to a whisper. “I hope you come back to the city.” And then he kissed her. A proper goodbye kiss. Not a spur-of-the-moment, wish-he-would-stop-talking kiss.

  Sera melted into his embrace. For all she knew, the bus had left the station and she didn’t care. When the kiss ended, she looked up into soft brown eyes. “Tell your cousin to make me an offer.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  “PASS THE JELLY.” Aunt Hope sat opposite her at the kitchen table, her gaze focused on a piece of dry toast on a saucer.

  “So you are speaking to me.” Sera pushed the jar of grape jelly within reach of her great-aunt.

  Hope scooped a clump of jelly from the jar and spread it on her toast. She cut the bread diagonally and then set the knife next to her plate. She took a bite, all the while avoiding looking at Sera.

  “Then again, maybe not.” Sera rose from her chair and retrieved the iced tea from the refrigerator. “That’s your lunch? Toast and jelly?”

  “So in addition to telling me where I should live, now you’re telling me what I can and cannot eat.”

  Sera resisted the urge to slam the refrigerator door. “Just concerned about your health.”

  “You’re too kind.” Hope’s words dripped with sarcasm, an emotion Sera was surprised to hear from her normally pleasant great-aunt.

  She hated that tone of voice. “Aunt Hope, what else can I do?”

  “Does Chance know about this?”

  “Chance doesn’t care about the farm. Besides, I have his power of attorney.” She filled her glass with tea and put the pitcher within reach of her great-aunt.

  “Your father always said you were a smart girl.”

  Sera shot her great-aunt a look. “He’s too busy having fun in Nashville, going for the big time, just like Dad. Only I’m not Mom. I’m not content to stay here and plant and plow and pull weeds just so everybody else can get what they want.”

  “Chance would not agree. I know he wouldn’t.”

  The screen door opened. “Did I hear my name?” Chance stood in the open doorway, duffel bag over his shoulder and carrying his guitar.

  Sera’s mouth dropped open. “What are you doing here?”

  “What? I can’t come home to visit?” He dropped his duffel bag next to Rocky’s dog bed and leaned the guitar case in the corner. Then he walked over to his aunt and kissed her on the cheek. “I didn’t want to miss Cy’s big Fourth of July party.”

  “You don’t know how happy I am to see you.” Aunt Hope rose and returned his kiss. She looked over her shoulder at Sera. “We have a lot to talk about.”

  Sera checked through the open door. There was no trace of a car. “How did you get here?”

  “April dropped me off.” Chance grabbed a glass from the cupboard.

  “April Madison?” Sera couldn’t believe her ears. Chance had been acting strangely lately. But April Madison? The flight attendant?

  “Yep.” Opening the refrigerator door, Chance stood staring at the contents. “You two don’t eat much, do you?”

  Hope walked over to the cupboard and withdrew a jar. “Here’s some peanut butter. You always liked my grape jelly. We have homemade bread. All the fixin’s for a PB and J.”

  “That’ll hold me until we get to Cy’s. He always has a big spread.” Chance poured a glass of iced tea and settled onto Hope’s vacated seat. He grabbed two slices of bread and then stopped. He glanced from one to the other with narrowed eyes. “What were you two talking about when I came in?”

  “We can discuss that later.” Sera gulped the rest of her tea and carried the empty glass to the sink.

  “You better talk now.” Aunt Hope settled into her rocking chair and crossed her arms. She set the rocker going back and forth while fixing Sera with a steely-eyed glare.

  Sera propped both arms on the counter and hung her head. Chance had the knack of showing up at the worst times. She faced her brother. “I’ve decided to sell to Cyrus Carter. Aunt Hope is not happy, but I’m at my wit’s end.”

  Chance’s face didn’t change expression one bit at her announcement. He finished spreading peanut butter and jelly on the bread and then slapped the top slice onto the bottom. He took a big bite, chewed and swallowed before responding. “You didn’t mention to me you had come to a decision.”

  “You’ve never been concerned before.” Sera looked from Chance to Hope, whose gaze was fixed on her great-nephew.

  Chance took his time again. Having another bite. Chewing, swallowing. “I know, but my name is on the deed, too.”

  Sera gritted her teeth while at the same time wondering what in the world was going on in her little brother’s head. She noticed Aunt Hope was watching them both like a spectator at a prizefight. She now looked back at her brother. “I have your power of attorney.”

  “I thought that only came into play if I wasn’t available.” Chance emptied half the glass of iced tea in one swallow and set it on the table with a clunk. He smiled. “I’m available.”

  Sera’s skin broke out in goose bumps at her brother’s unexpected response. Unfortunately, he was right. But never in a million years did she think he would go against her decision. Then she remembered that this was the little brother who, unlike her, liked to take risks. She blew out a breath, willing herself to remain calm. “I don’t have the time to discuss this any further. You two can go over to the Carters’ for the picnic. I’ve got strawberries to pick. Talk to you later, Chance.” She walked out onto the porch. Nothing was ever simple at Last Chance Farm. Absolutely nothing.

  * * *

  ALEX SAT IN the passenger seat of Carrie’s father’s luxury SUV. Carrie was driving and Will was in the back seat. When Alex had told his friends his experiences with trying to rent a car in Bear Meadows, the two had practically rolled on the floor with laughter. Then Carrie offered to drive the three of them to his cousin’s Fourth of July picnic. Always invited as friends of Alex, she had wanted to come for years.

  As they rode smoothly down Interstate 80, Alex fought the feeling of unease in the pit of his stomach. His mother had been thrilled when he told her he was going to be in the area for two weeks workin
g on the theater mall project. As usual, she hadn’t mentioned his father. He fully expected to see both parents at the annual picnic. Maybe he could avoid his father.

  When they pulled into Clover Hill Farms, Alex hardly recognized the place. This year Cy had gone all out. Multiple grills were lined up along one side of the huge yard, delicious smells pouring out of each of them. A bar was arranged on the patio, the bartender busy tending to a line of people. Parking next to a line of vehicles in the recently cut hay field, the three of them got out and walked toward the house.

  “Hey, you made it. I haven’t seen you two since Alex’s graduation party.” Cy waved a spatula at them from the end grill. Flames shot up through the grates, searing the hamburgers on the surface. Pointing to his apron that said Kiss the Cook, he gave Carrie a wink. When she kissed him on the cheek, he groaned. “Is that all I get?”

  Carrie laughed.

  Alex greeted his cousin with a quick pat on the back, glad Cy was in a good mood. Sera’s decision probably had a lot to do with it. “Hey, how are you?”

  “Great.” Cy tilted his head toward the house. “Your mom is in the kitchen.”

  “I better say hello.” He spotted Mike from the airport. “Will, I want to introduce you to this guy.”

  He left Will, Carrie and Mike talking about cider brands and strolled past the temporary bar. He was smiling when he opened the kitchen door, expecting to see his mother. But the first person he saw was his father. He swallowed and pasted on a smile. Sera said the Callahans buried their feelings. Well, the Kimmels could pretend with the best of them. “Hi, Dad.”

  Max gave his son a long look and simply grunted in response.

  Ignoring the sound, Alex wrapped his arms around his mother and squeezed. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, sweetie.” She patted his face. “I’m so glad you’re here.”