“Where’s Patrice?” Jack asked Marci, the new hostess Olivia had trained.
Marci indicated the spoon-and-fork-themed wall clock. “She hasn’t come back from lunch yet.”
Olivia stood up from where she stacked trays behind the customer order counter. “Really? That’s weird. She’s never late returning.”
The concern on her face made the hair stand up on the back of Jack’s neck. He met Olivia’s dark and troubled eyes. It was the first time in two weeks that she’d bothered to hold his gaze. “Call her. Make sure she’s okay.”
He hadn’t meant to come across as bossy, but he had a meeting in ten minutes with prospective buyers for the diner. Then he had to work on finding Dad an apartment that didn’t involve climbing stairs.
It suddenly hit Jack that he’d need to tell Olivia and Patrice there was a possibility the diner’s possible new owners may not want the upstairs to remain rental units.
Which would mean they’d have to move, and maybe quickly.
If Patrice was okay. She’d been slow in following advice from her doctor and counselor to get away from Frankie and press charges.
“No answer,” Olivia said, holding up her phone. “Marci, cover my tables. I’m going to go look for Patr—” Olivia was saying just as the door bells jingled and Patrice stumbled in crying.
Marci covered the dining room while Jack and Olivia ushered a sobbing Patrice back to the office and closed the door. They helped her sit but she sprang up, arms thrashing. “He’s cheating on me.”
“How do you know?”
“I caught him.”
Olivia handed Patrice a handful of tissues.
“I tried to call him to tell him I wouldn’t be able to make the dinner party tonight, after all, but he didn’t answer. His voice mail was full and I wasn’t able to leave a message. So I decided to go to his law firm and tell him in person. The secretary wasn’t at her desk.” Her words came out in huge hiccupping sobs. “I went to his office. Only when I pushed the door open, she—she—she was on his lap and—well, they certainly weren’t working. How could he do this to me?”
“I’m so sorry. What did you do?”
“I turned around and left. Then vomited in the parking lot. I heard him calling across the lot and knew he’d be coming to try and make some excuse, but I know what I saw. There was no mistaking what was going on. I took off and he started yelling at me and chasing my car.”
“I’m actually impressed,” Jack said wryly, “that you didn’t opt to run over him.”
Patrice snorted. “Oh, trust me, I thought about it. But he’s not worth doing hard time. I’m done with him. Why didn’t I listen to you all before now?”
No one really wanted to answer that, as evidenced by the silence.
“You need to watch your back, Patrice. Don’t go anywhere alone,” Olivia said.
“I’m sure Darin would be willing to be your bodyguard,” Jack said.
Olivia saw where Jack was going with this and recalled a conversation in which Darin admitted to having feelings for Patrice. Obviously Jack wasn’t above matchmaking in addition to ensuring protection for Patrice.
“Yeah, and since Darin doesn’t have his license, you could swap rides for his company and companionship,” Olivia added conspicuously.
“I wouldn’t want to put him out. Darin has his own life.”
Olivia peered at Patrice thoughtfully. “I’m quite sure he wouldn’t mind.”
She looked from Jack to Olivia. “Why do I get the feeling there’s something brewing here that you’re not telling me?” Her eyes widened. “Darin’s not, he’s not interested in me, is he?”
Jack’s eyebrows lifted. “For someone so smart, you can act dense.”
Patrice blinked twice, then looked hopeful for the first time in ages. Olivia met Jack’s amused gaze and smiled.
Marci poked her head in. “Egg substitute and turkey bacon for Mayor Whiffler’s wife?”
Olivia sank lower in her chair as Jack turned around to stare at her. “You’re still catering to her complaints about our not having healthy meals?”
“She’s the only citizen in Eagle Point who cares enough to complain about Sully’s greasy spoon. So, yes, we went against your directives and keep turkey bacon and egg white mixture in the fridge for her...and the few other customers who happen to come in with their doctors, nutritionists or Pilates instructors already in the dining room. Otherwise, it’s great gobs of grease for all. Really, Jack, you should consider a healthy alternative menu.”
“That, or let us carry clot busters on the condiment cart,” Patrice quipped.
Jack shook his head.
“You look exactly like your dad when you do that.”
“Speaking of Dad, I need to call about the assisted-living place.”
Olivia’s face blanched, as though it were becoming real that Jack was leaving.
He’d barely come to grips with it himself. In fact, his impending departure felt surreal. He’d been unsettled since making the decision. But who could blame him? So much had changed. Dad’s stroke, falling in love with Olivia, the battle to save the diner...
Jack sighed and tried to shift his thoughts out from underneath the melancholy cloud. “Carry on.”
After making phone calls, he checked to see if Darin needed help. “I’m guessing you’re wondering about Patrice. Did you hear any of it?” The walls were thin enough to allow for that, unfortunately.
“Some. Just that he cheated on her. If that’s what it took to get her to dump him, then maybe her walking in on that mess was a blessing in disguise.” Darin shook his head. “Although I hate that she had to endure it.”
“Maybe you can help her through. Hang out with her. Be a friend.”
“She’s above me, man.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Look at me? I’m a tatted-up ex-con from the wrong side of the tracks.”
“You did time for someone else’s crime and you were exonerated.”
“Yeah, but my incarceration still follows me like a black cloud. Plus, I did make some bad choices that got me in some bad places.”
“Your past doesn’t have the last word, Darin, God does. I challenge you to believe the best is yet to come.”
* * *
Olivia stood by the condiment cart listening in awe. When Jack stepped away, she resisted the urge to brush a hand along his broad back and tell him how proud of him she was. If she touched him, she’d cave in her resolve to let him make his own choice about leaving.
When Jack stepped into his office and closed the door, Olivia walked up to Darin. “Never thought I’d say this but Jack is right, you know.”
Darin looked at her. “You think so?”
She nodded. “I do. You’re not disqualified. I know you trust in Jesus, and I know He knows that. So there’s no way you’ll be put to shame.”
“Yeah, but she’s so classy and her ex-boyfriend is all cultured and stuff.”
Olivia snorted. “Sour milk is cultured, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for her.”
Darin nodded. “Noted.”
Just then, the door opened and Patrice’s boyfriend, Frankie, stepped through the front door of Sully’s dining room with a vengeful glint in his eyes.
Darin knocked hard on Jack’s door. Naem paused and pulled a pen out from behind his ear as Jack stepped into the hallway.
“Jack.” Olivia nodded toward the entrance. Immediately Jack transformed, marching toward the front like a man on a lethal mission.
“Oh my,” Marci said, squeezing Olivia’s arm. “The syrup’s about to hit the fan.”
Naem blinked at her oddly. “Syrup wouldn’t spray, though.”
Marci rolled her eyes and snapped her gum at him before going to refill patrons’ drinks.
“Darin.” Olivia put a calming hand on his arm. His biceps and triceps were flexing.
Naem nudged Darin aside and took over the grill so the meat wouldn’t burn. “Go make sure Jack doesn’t take the dude’s head off.”
“You mean beat him to it?”
Naem paused. “He’s not worth getting sent back down. Just remember to be diplomatic.”
“I know for a fact that no-good creep left bruises on her. And you want me to throw down diplomacy? I don’t think so.”
Patrice stood in front of Darin. “Actually Naem, why don’t you go help Jack. Darin needs to stay on the grills.”
Muscles bunching, Darin took the spatula back from Naem and muttered, “He comes in here again, and I promise you, he won’t walk out.” He rotated his neck and winked at Olivia. “At least not without crutches.”
Olivia nibbled her lip, glad to see Darin cooling and able to kid a little. She really didn’t want him violating his good standing with his parole officer. He was almost finished and didn’t need the setback.
Olivia followed Naem to where Jack stood in front of the register glaring across the tables at Frankie, who’d sat down at a table.
“Why isn’t Jack making him leave?” Marci asked.
“Probably because, legally, he can’t.” He could stare Frankie through the floor though, and that’s exactly what Jack appeared to be trying to do.
“Take a picture, Sullenberger, it’ll last longer,” Frankie finally chided. He peeled open a menu and smirked.
Jack stalked over, slammed the menu shut and leaned into Frankie’s face. “Outside. Now.”
Frankie didn’t even blink. “I’m fine right here, thanks.” His tone was as menacing as his expression.
Patrice rushed out, having witnessed the exchange from the kitchen doorway. “He’s a big chicken, Jack. He won’t go to the alley to talk to you.” She raised her voice, for other patrons to hear. “In fact, he only picks on people he knows he can beat. Like women half his size.”
Frankie narrowed his gaze and darted a look around. “Shut your mouth,” he snapped at Patrice.
She began rolling her sleeves up, bringing new bruises to light. “Shall we show everyone what you do in your spare time?”
His face reddened as he stood. “Fine.” He faced Jack. “But you lay one finger on me and I swear I’ll sue you and your dad and this diner for everything you’ve got.”
Frankie stepped out and headed for the door, and Jack followed.
Almost too calmly.
“We should call the police,” Olivia said to Marci.
“Why? If we do, they’ll take Jack to jail when he beats the crud out of Frankie. My bet’s on Jack.”
Patrice gasped. “Marci!”
Olivia shook her head and gave Marci a look.
“Oh. Right. I’ll just phone the police, then.” Marci grabbed the cordless and dialed.
Olivia grabbed pepper spray out of her purse and followed Jack to the alley.
He had stellar self-control, that’s all she knew.
Naem rushed ahead to intercept Jack. “Gonna beat her boyfriend into juice, boss?”
Olivia approached rapidly.
Jack’s jaw just clenched. “Olivia, stay inside.”
She screeched to a halt. She peered at Jack’s muscular bulk and enormous bare hands, then at her pathetic little pepper spray and realized that he could probably kill four men in the ten minutes it would take her to figure out how to get the stupid safety off the pepper spray. It was probably expired, anyway.
Five minutes later, Olivia could stand it no longer. “I’m going to check.”
“Not without a bodyguard you aren’t,” Darin said.
As they approached, Frankie was up against the wall and Jack stood an easy inch away from him.
Jack looked a deadly kind of calm.
Frankie spat on the ground near Jack’s feet. “Are you still talking?”
Jack stepped closer, his hand near Frankie’s neck on the brick wall. “Are you still breathing? Because if so, I can take care of that in about two seconds.”
A policeman pulled into the alley and exited his car. “Jack, step away. Let us handle it.”
Jack nodded to the officers and then scowled when he saw Olivia.
“You don’t listen very well,” Jack said, motioning her inside. He seemed calmer than before.
“Frankie’s in one piece. I’m surprised.”
“I took him outside to keep a ruckus from happening inside the diner. And to keep Darin off him.”
“Good thinking.”
Marci approached. “Jack, there’s a man here who says he has an appointment to look at the diner.”
Jack cast a glance at Olivia then looked away. “Direct him to my office.”
Olivia froze. “Look at the diner for what? Is something being repaired?”
The expression on Jack’s face stopped her in her tracks. “No. Nothing’s being repaired.” He turned to walk down the hall to his office.
She followed, a burning sensation dropping into her stomach. “Jack...what’s this diner meeting about?”
“None of your business, Olivia.”
“So, I’m not a part of your decision making just because we have to postpone having a life together?”
“Tomorrow is never promised.”
Her face must’ve reflected her hurt because Jack glanced back and softened his expression. “Look, that came out wrong. We’ll talk about us later. I can’t miss this meeting.”
“Can I know what it’s about?” she asked, willing the panic away.
“Why? You’ll just try to change my mind.”
“About what?”
“Selling the diner.”
She rushed around and stood in his path, not caring that the man he was meeting with was walking toward them, escorted by Marci, since Patrice followed officers to finally press charges against Frankie. “You can’t sell the diner.”
“Why not?”
“Because that would break your dad’s heart.”
“He’ll be fine.”
“No.”
Did she just stomp? Really?
She must have because Jack’s gaze dropped to her foot and his eyebrows rose.
Mature, Olivia. Real mature!
She drew a calming breath. “It would break his spirit and make him give up.”
Jack motioned for Marci to take the man on in, while Jack mumbled an apology to him.
Olivia stood like a human blockade in front of the door. As if that would help. “What else does he have to live for, Jack, if not you and the diner? If you sell it, you’ll be gone in a flash back to your life and you’re all he has. He’s all you have. You need to keep the diner. Please. I am begging you...”
“Olivia, I don’t have a choice. The bank is foreclosing at the end of the month. We’re done here.”
We’re done here.
She gasped. It felt like he’d ripped her heart right out of her chest. “Jack.”
“I’ve done what I can. I’m sorry.”
Which meant that by the time this mystery man left today, the selling of the diner would be a done deal.
Olivia stood staring at the walls, the war memorabilia, the decades of Sullenberger history. The photos grew blurry but she blinked back tears.
She pressed hands to the walls, steadying her breaths, her thoughts and her faith.
I will not let him do this, Lord. Not to himself. Not to his dad. Not to me. I want him here. I want a life with him. Help me stop him.
Maybe all along what he’d needed was the one thing she’d not been able or fully willing to give him.
A reason to stay.