by Judi Lynn
Joel eyed it warily and dished up. She watched him screw up his courage. He took a bite and blinked.
“Is it good?” She waited for him to swallow.
“It’s better than good. I love it.” He dipped in for more.
She was encouraged enough to try some, too. She’d never once liked anything she’d made so hadn’t been brave enough, but bless Art’s Grocery. This was a winner. She felt herself swell with pride. Finally, she’d made something edible. Maybe grilling hot dogs at the brewery was expanding her horizons. She’d have to go back to Art’s and beg for all the recipes his Mary had come up with for the sale specials.
They all had seconds before they started cleanup. The meal was a little heavy for this late at night, but they’d been so hungry for real food, they didn’t care. They settled in the living room to watch TV and relax.
“Guess what, Dad?” Adele could hardly contain herself. “Miriam bought a big-screen TV and mounted it on the wall in my bedroom.”
Joel shook his head. He turned to Miriam. “That’s too expensive. Let me pay you back for that.”
“Not gonna happen.” She reached for Adele’s hand. “That was my house-welcoming present for her.”
Joel looked at their clasped hands and got an odd expression on his face. “Are you two ganging up against me?”
Adele leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “It’s all about girl power, Dad.”
Instead of laughing, he looked so emotional, it surprised Miriam. “Are you all right?”
He gave a quick nod. His voice sounded hoarse. “It’s just nice that you two get along so well.”
Then she understood. He’d been worried that she’d only tolerate Adele, never feel close to her. “You’ve had too many worries in your life,” she told him, “but Adele and I get along fine.”
Adele yawned and stood. “I’m tired. I’m going to watch my new TV and go to sleep.” She wasn’t fooling anyone. She was so excited about having her own TV in her room, she couldn’t wait to try it out.
When she left them and closed her bedroom door, Miriam turned to Joel. “You must be tired, too. Ready for bed?”
He clicked off the TV in the living room and grinned. “I’ve had a big day. I need to relax before I can sleep. Got anything in mind?”
Relax. Hallelujah! She’d been dying to jump his bones, but the man looked exhausted. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be too needy.”
“Woman, that’s one of the reasons I love you. April never wanted to have sex. If you kill me with abundance, I’ll die happy.”
She tugged him to his feet. “Then let’s find out how healthy your heart really is.” And to her amazement, it was stronger than she’d ever expected. When he finally rolled over, she spooned herself against him. She pressed her nose against the back of his neck and whispered, “I want this every night. I’ve missed you.”
He pushed up on to an elbow and turned to look at her. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”
“Yes.”
He bent his head to kiss her. “I love you, Miriam.”
She gave him a lazy grin. “I love you, too. Now roll over and go to sleep. You work tomorrow and I don’t want you to be too tired when you come home.”
He chuckled. “I’d argue, but I’ve already given you about all I can tonight.” He sank back onto the mattress and she snuggled close again.
Before drifting to sleep, she smiled. No more empty bed. She could reach for Joel seven nights a week now. And that felt good.
Chapter 32
Miles was already in the dining room when Joel walked into the brewery. He looked at the tables, ready to go.
“Damn. When did you get here? Every ketchup bottle and shaker is already filled.”
Miles shrugged. “I woke up early, ate one of your breakfast burritos, and decided I might as well get started for the day.”
“This is great, but it means you need more in your life than working at the brewery. I need to get you out and introduce you to some people.”
“That’ll come. One step at a time. Don’t rush me.”
Dave walked in then and looked around. “You both beat me here. I must be getting slow.”
Joel shook his head. “No, my brother thinks he’s turning into roboboy, that he can work all hours. Eventually, he’ll settle down.”
“Might take some time. I lost myself in work for a period in my life. It made me happy. Whatever does the trick.”
Miles studied Dave. The man was tall and gaunt, with streaks of gray at his temples. “Where did you cook before you came here?”
“I was the line cook for breakfast and lunch at the plastics factory that folded, but I’ve moved around a lot, going from place to place.”
“Do you like Mill Pond?”
“Yup. I’m older now, thinking of settling down, and Mill Pond’s a good place to be.”
Joel listened with interest. Dave was still a mystery to him. When his name came up, everyone said they liked him, but no one really knew much about him, and he’d lived here for two years. By then, Mill Pond had usually absorbed you by osmosis, turned you into a friend, but Dave seemed to be a bit of a loner.
“Have you always cooked?” Miles asked.
Dave nodded. “Started out as a chef in a big restaurant in Miami, but I burned out. Now, I don’t want that kind of pressure.” He glanced at the clock. “It’s time I get cooking. Customers don’t like to wait for their food.”
Joel glanced at Miles as Dave left and shrugged. “That’s more than he’s ever told me before, but he’s a good worker. I hope he stays a long time.”
“Would you mind if I went back to work with him in the kitchen before we open? I’d like to learn a little about how to cook. I’ve got no skills.”
Joel waved him after Dave. “Go for it. I have a few things I can get done in my office.”
Miriam and Adele arrived at ten thirty, and once Joel got Adele settled, he went to open the brewery’s doors. Miles came, too, to pitch in wherever he was needed.
Joel and Miles worked well together. Growing up, they’d always been a great team. Then Joel married April, and two years later Miles had joined the military. When he came home from overseas, he was a different person. Joel didn’t know what had happened to him, but he knew it wasn’t good. He never asked about it and Miles never brought it up, but he drank heavily. And just kept drinking more.
Saturday started busy and stayed that way. Lots of tourists dragged kids into the family room or sat at the outside patio. No one got a break, and Joel thanked Miriam over and over again for coming. He’d definitely underestimated how many employees he needed for the weekends. He’d have to hire a couple more people.
They didn’t catch their breaths until after supper, and then the families slowed down and more people crowded into the bar.
Joel went to find Miriam. “If you want to duck out of here now with Adele, go for it. Miles and I can cover the traffic, but I might get home later than usual.”
She turned and grinned at him. “Home?”
That flustered him. What had he been thinking? “Sorry, I meant your place.”
She put both hands over her heart. The woman had a flair for the dramatic. He got a kick out of that. “I love it that you think of it as home.”
Before he could stop himself, the words popped out. “It’s where you are.” It was that simple for him.
Her curls askew from the busy day, she blew him a kiss. “See you at home.” Then she hurried to his office to grab Adele and take off.
Miles and Joel went to help in the bar. Casey and Collin sighed with relief when they saw them. Joel started helping with drink orders and Miles assisted Gia at the food counter. He’d just rung up nachos for an entire table when he looked up and saw a soldier with an artificial leg limp in with a few friends.
Miles froze, locked in place, staring at the man in uniform with the missing leg. All the color drained from his face. Joel rushed to him and laid his hand on his arm. “You
okay?”
Miles shook his head, as if coming out of a daze. He blinked. “Sorry; got lost for a minute in my own thoughts.”
It was more than that. “Do you need a break?”
Miles turned his head away from the group. “No, I’m okay, but I need to zip into the kitchen for more chili. Our station’s almost out. Will you cover for me for a second?”
“Will do.”
One of the guys at the soldier’s table came to give Joel their order. Another one of his friends went to get beer for the group. Miles didn’t return until the table was served. No one but Dave noticed how much the soldier had shaken him. He was still pale but back on track.
When Joel ran to the kitchen for oranges for the bar, Dave asked, “Has your brother had anything to eat?”
Miles heard him and called, “We’re close to quitting time. I’ll be fine.”
Dave handed a plate of cheese and crackers to Joel. “Make your brother eat a few of these.”
Joel plopped them near Miles. “You heard the man. Eat.”
Miles looked like he was going to argue, then glanced at Dave and changed his mind.
The bar didn’t empty until a little after nine. People who’d ordered at eight thirty stayed to finish their food. The soldier and his friends left while Miles was in the kitchen, and Joel was grateful Miles didn’t have to see him again.
It took another hour to get everything cleaned up and the receipts and cash stashed and recorded. When the last employee left the building, Joel and Miles stepped out after them, and Miles locked up. Joel asked, “Want to talk about it?”
Miles shuffled his feet. “Not much to say. My friends and I were walking down a road in Afghanistan and a stray dog ran up to us, so thin you could count its ribs. I stopped to pet it and my friends walked on. Juan stepped on a mine and they all died but Wade. He lost his leg. That dog saved my life. I adopted it, and when I left, a new guy was happy to get him.”
Joel stared, at a loss for words. Finally, he asked, “Have you told anyone else about this?”
“Didn’t want to. I’ve never understood why I didn’t die. I mean, why spare me? Juan had a wife and a five-month-old son at home. He should have been the one who lived, not me.”
Joel crossed his arms and looked across the empty parking lot. “I quit asking myself why a long time ago. I never found any answers. Now, I just try to be the best I can be and to make the most of what I have.”
“But why me?” Miles asked. “I feel like I should do something with my life, but I have no idea what.”
“Maybe you were supposed to bail me out when I opened a brewery and needed someone to cover my back.”
Miles blinked at him. “Maybe. Maybe we were supposed to get together and mend.”
“That works for me.” Joel gave him a half hug. “It’s not your fault your friends died. You didn’t plant that mine. You survived, so say thank you and move on.”
Miles looked grim. “Easier said than done.”
Joel barked a laugh. “Who said life would be easy?” He climbed in his pickup and gave Miles a quick wave. On the drive to Miriam’s, he pushed thoughts of his past out of his mind. It didn’t pay to dwell on them. Miles needed to move on, too, but that would take some time.
When he pulled into Miriam’s drive, looked through the window, and saw her stand and walk to the door to greet him, his dark mood lifted. He’d share this with Miriam and it would lighten the burden. With her by his side, he could do anything. He hoped Mill Pond would offer Miles the fresh start it had offered him. His brother needed it.
Chapter 33
When Miriam drove Adele to the brewery on Saturday, she realized that, in theory, this was her last day of work. She’d volunteered to help Joel for his opening week and she had. He didn’t expect her on Sunday. He didn’t open the doors for business until noon then, and he knew she went to her parents’ every week for the family get-together. She’d take Adele with her and, eventually, Joel meant to take Sundays off, too. Miles was eager to manage a day by himself. Miriam liked popping into Joel’s world and pitching in, she just didn’t want to do it every day.
She told Joel that when he came to greet her and Adele, who, as usual, went straight to her comfy chair in the office and switched on the TV. Miriam had kept her busy all morning. She’d dragged her on a short walk, then they’d tidied up the cottage.
“That girl needs to move more,” Miriam told Joel.
“I know. I feel bad about that. It’s just hard for me when I work.”
“Well, she’s got me now.” She frowned. “When school starts, though, that will end. I’ll be busy every day, too.”
“I’ll start bringing her to work with me again,” Joel said.
“She just hides in your office and watches TV.” She shook her head. “We’ll make the best of it somehow. We’ll think of something.” And that’s when she realized she was starting to think of them together long term. But there it was. She couldn’t picture a future without Joel.
He looked all mushy and Miriam shook her head. “Concentrate. I like coming here, being a part of this, but only a few times a week. I still like to garden and read, and when school starts, I’m done.”
“Simple,” he said. “Chase told me Mondays are always slow at the bar, so stay home. Chase only offers lunches on Wednesdays— his famous barbecue—and people flood the bar, so take Wednesdays off, too. Fridays and Saturdays, it would be great having you here.”
She grinned. “So what if I work Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for a while?”
“Perfect; with you, the food side should be okay. And when the weather turns bad, things will slow down. Not as many tourists.”
She nodded and started to the dining room. Audrie would put her to work. She called back, “You’re expecting to be slammed today, right?”
“It’s a beautiful Saturday, perfect weather. This will be a trial by fire.”
Three hours later she had to admit he’d been right. The doors opened and people swarmed inside like locusts. For half an hour they were overwhelmed. There were a few glitches here and there, but they never totally floundered. In theory, with people lining up at the counter to give their orders and moving down the line to receive them and pay, Joel’s system seemed pretty foolproof, but the line never stopped. Still, they survived.
Joel came to check on them at two. “You okay?”
Audrie grinned. “With Miriam, Sammi, and Madison? A piece of cake.”
“Yeah right. The bar side barely kept its head above water. People were doing tastings, and ordering beer and food. It was organized chaos. Miles meant to float from place to place, but Gia couldn’t have handled everything on her own.”
Customers were still drifting in. Three-fourths of the tables were taken. Audrie took a deep breath. “It’s going to be even worse tonight.”
“Maybe not.” Miriam looked out the side window and waved at Hank and Sadie, who sat at a table on the patio with his Chihuahua, Chester. Joel bought all his buns from Hank’s bread shop. No one else’s could compare to his baked goods. He special-made poppy seed and pretzel hot dog buns for the brewery. “Harley’s doing a wine party tonight, with music and hors d’oeuvres. A lot of people will be going to that. Steph and Hank are catering the food and it should be fun.”
“Maybe that will save us.” Joel looked relieved. “We’ll have more help next weekend. We’ve lived and learned.”
Audrie gave him a sideways glance. “My middle sister’s twenty-one and after hearing how much I like it here, she’d like to work here, too, in the bar.”
“In the bar?”
“Someday she’d like to be a bartender.”
“Will you vouch for her? Is she a good worker?”
“Our whole family works hard. She has a part-time job in the next town and they keep promising her more hours but never give them to her. Then they don’t have to give her any benefits. She’s looking for something else.”
“She’s hired. I need someone who�
�s twenty-one. Most of the girls who apply are in high school and college, not old enough to serve drinks.”
Audrie beamed. “When can she start?”
“The sooner the better.”
Audrie chuckled. “Kelly might be here on Tuesday, then. She told me when she found something better, she’d go in and tell her boss it’s her last day. He hasn’t played fair with her, so she doesn’t owe him anything.”
Miriam glanced out the window. Hank was waiting to pay for his and Sadie’s food at the counter. “Things have slowed down enough; I’m going to go out to say hi to Hank and Sadie.”
Joel nodded. “Grab something and take your lunch break, if you want to.”
She carried two Coney dogs out to join Hank as he returned to Sadie with their order. “Hey, I haven’t seen you two for a while.” She looked at Sadie. “Who’s covering for you at your frozen custard shop?”
“Steph. She and Hank worked right through lunch to get the hors d’oeuvres done. I babysat Chester so they wouldn’t have to worry about him, so she’s dishing up cones so we can grab some food.” It had been Steph’s idea to team up with Hank to cater parties.
“Sounds fair.” Hank and Sadie were both eccentric, but Miriam liked both of them. She knew it had been a hard year for Hank since he’d lost India. She’d meant to stop by to see him once in a while and felt guilty that it had never happened. Time always got away from her. Tyne and Steph had been there for him, though. She reached over to pet Chester’s head. “He’s looking pretty happy.”
Hank smiled. “He really missed India when she died, but he’s adopted Sadie now. He runs to her place at least once a day.”
Sadie nodded. “His favorite thing is when we’re all together, though.”
“It feels like family.” Hank scratched behind the dog’s ears.
Sadie finished her cheese dog and handed a French fry to Chester before looking at Miriam. “Has Grams hit you guys up yet for the church social on the Fourth of July?”
