Treasure Me (40 page)
Authors: Christine Nolfi
Tags: #Mystery, #relationships, #christine nolfi, #contemporary fiction, #contemporary, #fiction, #Romance, #love, #comedy, #contemporary romance, #General Fiction
“You shouldn’t make me.”
She pulled her attention from the ceiling and leveled on his sweet, teddy bear gaze. It never failed to warm her when he looked at her that way. It also made her sad, the worry lurking in his eyes, the concern he tried to hide.
He’d had that look her whole life.
Crouching, Anthony held the chair’s armrests to still her. “Blossom, the last couple of years nearly did us in. It’s a miracle we survived. I can’t imagine thinking about a woman or dating or—”
“You don’t have to worry.” She patted his greasy cheek. “We’re fine.”
The concern in his eyes deepened. “I know.”
“Try believing it.”
A weary smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m trying.”
He let the chair go, and she snatched the paper bag at her feet. Following him across the garage, she said, “I brought clothes. You can wash up and change.”
“You what?”
She lifted the grocery bag. “Clean clothes. We’ll go to the Second Chance for a sugar buzz.”
He cocked a brow. “Shouldn’t you be home, doing homework or something?”
“Got it done in study hall.” She pulled out a pair of jeans and wagged them before his nose. “Can we go to Miss Mary’s restaurant? Please?”
Her father leaned against the doorjamb, shaking his head. “Shit, you never give up.”
She tipped up her chin. “You shouldn’t swear.”
He offered a lopsided grin. “You shouldn’t make me.”
* * *
Mary smiled in greeting as the now-familiar girl with the corkscrew curls entered from the street. She’d been peering in the window for days, an amusing state of affairs. A tall man in jeans followed. Hopefully they’d arrived for an afternoon snack that wouldn’t put Ethel Lynn anywhere near the stove.
To Mary’s eternal relief, the girl asked, “Do you have sundaes?”
“With twenty flavors of ice cream.” She reached for the order pad as they slid onto barstools. “Would you like menus?”
The girl smiled broadly, revealing pearly teeth. “Naw, I’ll stick to chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce. And sprinkles, if you’ve got ‘em.” Light sparkled in her toffee-colored eyes. “I’m Blossom Perini. You’re Mary, right?”
“I am. It’s nice to meet you.”
The man quietly studied her, sending a pang of discomfort through her. He had the most expressive eyes—almond shaped, and a deep, warm brown. Like Blossom, his hair was a darker brown, and curly. An older brother? Or Blossom’s father? He had the well-toned build of a man who worked out, lending him a youthful appearance. Deducing their relationship with certainty was impossible.
Immediately Blossom cleared up the mystery. “This is my dad, Anthony.”
Mary extended her hand. “Hello.”
“It’s a pleasure.” He surged to his feet to give a handshake formal enough for colleagues meeting at a medical convention.
But he didn’t let go after the obligatory three seconds. And he continued to stare at her. With a start, she wondered if an odd bit of food was stuck on her face. Flecks of ash from the sausage Ethel Lynn had burned? With her free hand she made a self-conscious swipe at her cheek.
Clearly aware of her discomfort, he released her fingers and jerked back. He continued to stand behind the barstool in what she decided was a state of utter confusion. She didn’t know how to proceed, not with him staring at her and Blossom watching the interchange with ill-concealed mirth.
“Sit down.” Blossom yanked on his sleeve and he dropped back onto his barstool. “Do you want coffee?”
The question drew Anthony’s attention back to his daughter. When he nodded in the affirmative, Mary tried to regain her composure. She stole a glance at the mirror behind the bar—no smudges, no food anywhere on her face. What had he been gaping at? Surely she appeared presentable, if a little exhausted. Given the apologies she’d doled out all day long, who wouldn’t look haggard?
Shrugging it off, she scooped ice cream then fetched the coffee pot. She’d just finished pouring when Anthony said, “So you’re Meg’s niece. How is she?”
“Traveling the world.” His remarks were light, and much friendlier than his strange, first reaction and so she added, “My aunt’s decision to turn over the restaurant came as a shock. I’d never visited—I should’ve found the time.”
“I would’ve remembered if you had.”
He seared her with a look and she stiffened against the sudden heat flushing her cheeks. Was he flirting? The possibility sent unexpected pleasure darting through her.
Steering the conversation back to safe territory, she said, “It’s been a crazy week. I’m still sorting through the antiques in the storage room and cleaning things up.”
“This is the oldest landmark in town, but Meg hadn’t been turning much of a profit.” Anthony took a sip of his coffee. “I’m sure you’ll have better luck.”
“I hope so.”
An attractive grin edged onto his mouth. “I hear Ethel Lynn is still around.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “Keep her on a short leash. She’s… high strung.”
Mary chuckled. “And as eccentric as my aunt.”
“Eccentric? Wait until you get a load of Theodora Hendricks.” Anthony warmed to his story. “Blossom will tell you that she’s an old war-horse. Closing in on eighty, she thinks yellow lights mean ‘hurry’ and red means ‘floor it.’ She’s a bit crabby and about four feet tall—she drives a sky blue Cadillac. If you see her barreling down the road, get out of the way.”
His eyes danced, drawing a laugh from Mary. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll watch out for her.”
Behind her, Ethel Lynn fluttered through the kitchen’s swinging door. “Now, Anthony, you know better than to frighten Mary with tales of Theodora’s driving.”
“She’s had six fender-benders in the last year. Trust me with the numbers. I’m stuck working on her car, every time.”
“You do bodywork?” Mary asked.
His
body didn’t need any work. He was a glorious study of lean muscle and commanding height. Squashing the unwarranted thought, she added, “I mean, if you work on Mrs. Hendrick’s car…”
“I’m a mechanic. The bodywork is a side business. Theodora is my best customer.”
He shrugged and Mary decided she liked Blossom’s father. He was attractive and sweet, and extremely protective of his daughter. Since they’d arrived, he’d reached behind his daughter’s back several times to pat her affectionately or rub her shoulders. It was heartwarming to see a man so engaged with his child.
Anthony turned to Ethel Lynn. “Does the change of ownership mean you’re retiring, too?”
Ethel Lynn tipped her head to the side. “I promised Meg I’d stay until Mary settles in.”
“Meaning you’d
like
to retire?” Mary savored the thought of ridding herself of the fretful woman. Guilt washed through her—Ethel Lynn
was
Aunt Meg’s closest friend.
Blossom, finishing her sundae, scanned the newly painted dining room. “I think Mary is doing great by herself.”
Anthony nudged her shoulder. “She’s Miss Chance to you.” He gave Mary an assessing glance. “Or is it Mrs?”
“Dad, I told you—she isn’t married,” Blossom said, rolling her eyes at her father. “Well,
Miss
Chance, I like everything you’ve done to the place. Especially the new name.”
The girl’s enthusiasm was truly engaging. Mary winked at her. “I’m glad you like it,” she said.
“Second Chance Grill. It’s a great name.” Blossom turned to her father. “Everyone deserves a second chance—right, Dad?”
Her inoffensive question drove sorrow into Anthony’s gaze. Mary’s breath caught. Both Ethel Lynn and Blossom missed the expression, vanquished quickly from his face. But Mary recognized it, a demonstration of intense pain deftly hidden a moment after it appeared. It was an emotion she knew too well.
Like Anthony, she’d learned how to hide the pain as soon as it surfaced. The sudden death of her closest friend, the loss of Sadie’s calm presence and unwavering confidence—all the dreams they’d shared about building a medical practice together had vanished in an instant of horror.
Mary dispelled the memory before it gripped her heart. Well, she’d finish grieving before returning to Cincinnati. Once the Second Chance Grill was solvent, she’d get on with her life.
Drawing from her thoughts, she blinked. Then flinched—she was still staring at Anthony. Flushing, she pulled her gaze away. But not before his eyes grew dull with some confusing mix of emotion. Clearly he understood: she’d glimpsed his pain. His emotions were laid bare before her, a perfect stranger.
Her mouth went dry as his expression closed. Embarrassed, she stepped back as he rose and paid the check. Murmuring a farewell, he led Blossom from the restaurant.
They skirted across Liberty Square. “What… was that?” Mary whispered.
Ethel Lynn looked up with confusion. “What, dear?”
“Anthony was so upset when Blossom said everyone deserves a second chance.” Why had the remark upset him? Trying to work it out, she asked, “What’s the story between him and Blossom’s mother?”
Ethel Lynn waved the question away. “Hells bells. Anthony dated Cheryl when they were teenagers. She got pregnant and he did the honorable thing by marrying her. Two years after Blossom came along, Cheryl fell for a guitarist and skedaddled off to Florida.”
The explanation was depressing and all too familiar. “Does Cheryl visit Blossom?” Mary asked.
Ethel Lynn snorted. “Good grief, we haven’t seen Cheryl in years. I doubt Blossom remembers her. Good riddance, I say.”
“No wonder Anthony was upset by Blossom’s comment. With a wife like that, he doesn’t believe in second chances.”
A perilous silence descended on the dining room, filling Mary with foreboding. Beside her, Ethel Lynn withdrew a lace handkerchief from the pocket of her bluebell-patterned dress.
“You don’t understand,” Ethel Lynn said, dabbing at her eyes. “Blossom has leukemia, dear. Last year she was so sick, we weren’t sure she’d make it. The leukemia is in remission, thank God.”
Mary’s heart clenched. She’d watched children at Cinci General battle cancer. “And Anthony? How’s he managing?”
On a sigh, Ethel Lynn shook her head. “He’s afraid to believe in second chances. He’s learned to live each day as if it’s Blossom’s last.”
Table of Contents
Second Chance Grill: Sneak Peek
Table of Contents