Up to the Challenge ai-2 Page 22

  How Floyd, who ran the Trade Store, had been courting the day-care owner, Helga, for months and finally got her to have dinner with him. To which he wore his best overalls, of course. How Sam Edwards had nearly caused a society meltdown by advertising his motels as “the finest Anchor has to offer” on his new flyers.

  To be fair, Sam did have the best rooms in the village, but he’d broken the unwritten rule by actually pointing the fact out to tourists in such a highfalutin way. If there was one thing Anchor merchants strove to avoid, it was ever sounding highfalutin. Or one-upping each other. At least not on paper.

  That sort of thing was reserved for the Hatteras high and mighties who liked to think they were the upper crust of the barrier islands.

  By the time the meeting had ended, Lucas was caught up on all the people he once knew as well as she did, and the few newbies who’d moved in during his absence.

  Speaking of Lucas being absent, he and Joe had switched shifts today for the first time in more than a week. Working without him left her torn between missing him and believing some time apart might be a good thing. He’d be gone soon and if she couldn’t handle a few hours, life was going to be pretty shitty after a few days.

  Everything told her to get out now. Save herself. Get the man out of her bed, even if she would never get him out of her head. Or her heart, though the thought was so sappy it nearly made her gag.

  “You up for a break soon?” Will asked, surprising Sid as she loaded four beers onto her tray.

  “I need to deliver these drinks, then I can spare a minute or so.” Sid glanced to the clock behind the bar. “You’re early, aren’t you? I thought you were training with Lucas tonight.”

  “I’m on a break from … well, I’m just on a break.” Will tossed dark waves over her shoulder as she backed away. “I’ll wait in the office.”

  The office? Will needed to talk to her in the office? This could not be good. After delivering the beers, she checked on her other two tables, then dropped the tray under the bar before heading to the back.

  “Since I’m assuming we’re past you thinking Lucas is hitting on you,” Sid said, strolling into the office, “this time it must be the garage.”

  The corner of Will’s lips edged down and she shook her head yes.

  “There’s been an offer?”

  Another nod.

  “And Fisher accepted it?”

  Will looked like she might cave in on herself. “I’m so sorry, Sid. I really didn’t think things would move this fast.”

  Sid focused on breathing as she stared at the desk, seeing nothing as her vision was suddenly blurred. Several seconds passed before she realized the blur was caused by tears. Swiping at her eyes, she asked, “Who’s the buyer?”

  “I don’t know. Everything has been hush-hush around the office.” Will handed Sid a tissue. “Pretty sure it’s the mystery buyer from Richmond. All I know is he, or she I guess, is putting up half the asking price as a down payment.”

  The air suddenly felt heavy, too thick to take in, and there didn’t seem to be anything coming out. The room spun around her. She reached out to steady herself with the desk. A roar filled her ears before she realized the sound was coming from her throat.

  “Why?” she yelled, to no one in particular. “What the fuck could a total stranger want with my garage? Tell me!” she ordered Will, who’d backed herself into the corner of the room.

  “Maybe you should sit down,” Will suggested, navigating Sid around the desk and into the desk chair. Then she squatted so they were on eye level. “I don’t have the answer, Sid. I wish I did. Sometimes life just sucks, and there isn’t much we can do about it.”

  Who did she think she was talking to? “I’m not a child, Will. Don’t treat me like one.” Sid blew her nose, making a sound like a dying pelican. “I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I was so close, you know? So fucking close.”

  Now she would never have her business. And she’d never have Lucas. Not for real. Could life get any worse?

  Just then, Daisy showed up at the office door. “You’d better get out here, Sid.”

  “Why?” she asked, pausing to blow her nose again. “Did a meteor hit my house or something?”

  Daisy’s eyes cut to Will in a look of obvious concern, though for herself or the crazy woman at the desk Sid couldn’t be sure.

  “Um, not that I know of. But some idiot just backed into your truck.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Where was Artie? Lucas had left the old lawyer a message two hours ago to meet him at the bank. The documents he’d drawn up were sound, but he still wanted another lawyer to take a look. His parents deserved an impartial review. And the other documents were more complicated, requiring someone familiar with legalities on Anchor.

  Pacing the small conference room where the bank manager had suggested he wait, Lucas thought about all he needed to do in the next few days. In a couple weeks he’d be driving back to Richmond, returning to the life that now felt foreign and far away. Which was the problem with Anchor Island. It deluded a person into forgetting about the outside world. Made a man believe life could be simple and satisfying without all the trappings and chaos inherent elsewhere.

  Complete nonsense. Life happened in the city. That’s where ambitions could soar. Endless opportunities around every corner waiting to be snatched and wrestled to the ground.

  So why did his mind keep harping on the fact that there was no Sid in the city?

  “No coffee, Maxine,” Artie said as he was shown into the room. “I’ve had my one cup of the day.” With a smile and a nod, the older gentleman dismissed the manager and turned to Lucas. “Sorry for the delay. Popcorn machine took longer to repair than I’d expected.”

  Lucas had been waiting due to a broken popcorn machine? This was exactly the kind of thing that didn’t happen in the city.

  “Not a problem,” he lied. “I need you to review some paperwork for me. Everything is in order but as the circumstances involve myself and my parents, I’d feel better knowing their interests were protected by an unbiased party.”

  Hands in his pockets, Artie glanced between Lucas and the folders spread out on the conference table. “No can do.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Artie smiled. “I’m retired.”

  “I know that,” Lucas replied, clinging to patience by a thin thread. “But you don’t stop being a lawyer simply because you close your practice. You’re still licensed. You have the knowledge to review these documents and give a legal opinion.”

  “I do,” Artie nodded. “But I’m retired.”

  Lucas squeezed the bridge of his nose and took several deep breaths before addressing the man again. “I’m asking you for a favor, Mr. Berkowitz. I don’t have the time to find another lawyer in the county, and you’re here. If payment is the issue, I fully intend to compensate you for your time.”

  Now the smile tilted a bit, the weathered eyes flashing something akin to disappointment. “This isn’t about money, Lucas. My work was never about the money.” With slow but deliberate movements, Artie pulled out a chair and lowered his considerable girth onto the cushion. With a nod, he gestured for Lucas to do the same.

  When both were seated, Artie joined his hands on top of his stomach and spoke. “When I first retired, this happened a lot. Everyone needed a favor. I was right here. I’d been the person who answered all their questions for years. Why couldn’t I just do this one favor? So I gave in. Did the favors and before I knew it, I was working more than I had before hanging the closed sign on the door. Not much of a retirement if you’re working all the time.”

  “But this—”

  “But this is different?” Artie asked. “This is what every citizen on this island needs, Lucas. A lawyer practicing here.” He shook his head. “I’m no longer that lawyer. No exceptions. This is my life and my time. I’ve put in the work to get here and I’m going to enjoy it.”

  Though the smile remained, Lucas recognized the unbe
nding tone in the words. “I’m sorry I’ve taken up your time then,” Lucas said, rising from his chair and collecting the folders.

  “Lucas,” his mentor said, halting his actions. “There’s a hole on this island that needs to be filled. No fancy high-rise offices. No ladder to scratch and claw your way up. But there is an opportunity here. A good one. A fulfilling one. Think about it.”

  Before Lucas could rebut with what should have been an instant “No thank you,” the older man lumbered out of the room without a backward glance.

  Why hadn’t Lucas refused immediately? There was nothing to think about. His career was back in Richmond. That’s where he belonged. That’s what he wanted.

  This has been a visit. Temporary. But Artie did have a point. Lucas could help these people. And he would. As soon as he was back in Richmond, he’d find a solid attorney looking for a slower pace. The hole would be filled and he’d be back in Richmond. Everyone would be happy.

  Or so he kept telling himself.

  Sid woke the next morning, surprised to find Lucas next to her in bed. When they’d changed shifts the night before, she’d explained she wasn’t feeling well. Losing the garage, coupled with the realization she’d fallen too hard for Lucas, made her want to curl into a ball and hide from the world. Add the new dent in her left rear quarter panel, which would be a bitch to fix but doable, and distance from humans in general felt imminently necessary.

  She hadn’t actually told him not to come over. Hadn’t even locked her front door to keep him out. She just assumed that dropping the hint there would be no sex would result in no sleepover. But she’d been wrong.

  Desperate to be alone, but unwilling to kick Lucas out of her house, Sid slid from the bed, got dressed as quietly as possible, then planned to go for a run by herself. She needed to go back to doing things alone, and a run along the beach with nothing but the birds for company would give her time to figure out what to do next. What to do with the rest of her life, since opening her own boat restoration business on Anchor was now a long lost dream.

  “Morning, gorgeous,” Lucas said, handing Sid a cup of coffee as she attempted to sneak out of the bathroom. “Glad you’re up. I’ve got something I want to show you.”

  As much as she enjoyed sex in the morning, Sid wasn’t in the mood. “I was heading out for a run. Figured I’d let you sleep since you worked late.”

  “Ten minutes,” he said, as if she hadn’t turned him down. “Give me ten minutes to shower and I’ll be ready.”

  Shower? Before sex? “Ready for what?”

  “Don’t ask so many questions,” he said, dropping a kiss on her nose. “Drink your coffee and I’ll be ready to go in a flash.”

  The man seemed chipper about something. And he’d spent the night sleeping beside her without even trying to have sex with her. As if just sleeping next to her was enough. She’d been pretty sure he’d sunk as far into this relationship as she had, but a sleepover with no sex almost confirmed the fact.

  Then what was he going to show her? There wasn’t anything on Anchor Sid had never seen. Were they going off island? They couldn’t go far and be back in time to open the restaurant. The guessing game only heightened the headache she’d gained from the brief cry she’d allowed herself in the shower, so Sid opted to feed the cat and load the dishwasher while waiting for Lucas.

  “What the hell is he up to, Drillbit?” she asked her pet, who ignored the question and continued to devour the smelly gook in her bowl. “I hope it’s good. I could use some good news today.”

  It had taken a full five minutes to convince Sid to let him drive her truck. Another five to get her to wear the blindfold. A brief shower the night before meant the road ahead would be too treacherous to navigate in his car. He couldn’t blame her on either count. The truck had taken a hit the day before, though the damage was only cosmetic. But getting by Sid’s inner control freak to put the blindfold on had been the real test.

  Lucas had used all of his manly wiles, which he wasn’t proud of. Nor would he ever admit to the thought of having manly wiles.

  “Are we almost there? This thing is making my head itch.”

  “Two more minutes,” he said, which he’d been saying since the first time she’d asked, at the end of her driveway. “Not long now.”

  He turned onto the road leading to their destination and dropped the truck into four-wheel drive. They bounced from side to side and he reached out to brace Sid so she wouldn’t land on the floorboards.

  “If you hurt this truck I will kick your ass,” she declared, with complete conviction in her voice. He laughed and focused on avoiding the potholes ahead.

  When they reached the building, Lucas cut the engine and leaned forward to see the sign hanging on the brick wall. Just as he’d ordered. Lot would get an extra fifty dollars this week.

  “Finally,” Sid said, reaching for the bandanna covering her eyes. “Get this thing off.”

  “Not yet,” he argued, halting her movements. “Let me get you out first.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Sid tried to smack the dash and missed, but Lucas caught her before her nose took the hit.

  “Just scoot over here. There you go.” With little effort, he lifted her to the ground, turned her to face the building, then stood behind her. “You ready?”

  “This better be good,” she grumbled. But when he remained silent, she surrendered. “Yes. I’m ready. I’m beyond ready.”

  “Good.” With a sweep of his hand, Lucas removed the bandanna, and waited. For what he wasn’t sure. Sid wasn’t the squealing and happy dancing type, but this was a pretty big surprise.

  Silence reigned. No squealing. No dancing. He leaned around to see her face. No smiling.

  “What the fuck did you do?” she asked, her eyes locked on the sign that read Navarro Boat Repair & Restoration. “You need to get that down. Now.”

  Not the reaction he expected. “What are you talking about? That’s only a temporary sign. We’ll get a more permanent one when the renovations are done.”

  “We won’t do shit. Get the fucking thing down.” Sid turned with her hand out. “Give me the keys so I can back the truck up and tear the thing down myself.”

  “But why?” he asked, refusing to hand over the keys. “I don’t understand. Why are you so mad?”

  “Because it’s not mine!” she screamed. “This doesn’t belong to me. Someone else bought it. It’s not for sale anymore. The boat business isn’t going to happen.”

  “Wait.” How could she know? Everything had been done in secret. “You know that someone bought this garage?”

  “Yes, damn it. Will told me yesterday. Some fancy ass from out of town bought it, and he’ll probably tear it down for all I know.” She stomped over to the truck. “I can’t be here. I need to get out of here.”

  “Hold on,” he said, spinning her around. “You knew that someone else was trying to buy your dream, and you didn’t tell me?”

  “What difference does it make? I set out to buy it and I failed. Telling you wasn’t going to change that.”

  “But you could have counteroffered. I could have helped you come up with the money to buy it.”

  “No way. I’d never do that.” She swiped away a tear. “It’s over. The garage belongs to someone else now. Just please let me go home.”

  His heart nearly broke watching her stand strong and proud, knowing she must have been dying on the inside since getting the news. With a gentle hand, he nudged her chin up until their eyes met, wiping away another wayward tear with his thumb.

  “This garage doesn’t belong to someone else, Sid. It belongs to you. I bought it for you.”

  They stared at each other as the words sunk in, a myriad of emotions running through him. Then Sid snapped.

  Shoving against his chest, she screamed, “Why would you do that? Why would you take this away from me?” Sid had never been stabbed, but the feeling of a knife slicing through her heart made her long for the real thing. At least she could
heal from a knife wound.

  “I didn’t take anything away from you,” he argued, reaching for her but she batted his hands away. “It’s yours. I’m giving it to you.”

  “I don’t want it! Not like this.” The tears flowed freely now, more from anger than the loss she’d felt moments before. “What part of doing this on my own did you not understand? I was close. I’d have had the money by Labor Day. Just a few more weeks.”

  Lucas kept crowding her, trying to force her to let him in. “I didn’t buy it outright. There are still payments to be made. I only provided the down payment. This way you can use your money for the renovations. And you can make the payments on the remaining mortgage.”

  “Only the down payment?” she asked, remembering what Will had told her. “You paid half. Is this my consolation prize? Is this what I earned in the last couple weeks?”

  Lucas jerked as if she’d slapped him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I think it’s pretty clear.” She laughed, a hollow, empty sound. “I gave you me and you give me a garage. Something to remember you by after you’re gone.”

  “That’s crossing a line and insulting to both of us. What we have is more than that.”

  “Really? What do we have, Lucas? A casual fling, right? That’s all this is supposed to be.” Sid opened the truck door. “It’s clear that’s all this is because if you knew me at all, cared about me at all, you wouldn’t have done this.”

  She climbed in and waited. He still held the keys so she couldn’t drive off without him. Which she sorely wanted to do. After what could have been a minute or an hour, Lucas climbed into the passenger seat and set the keys on the bench between them.

  Sid drove back to her place, numb and empty. He could have the damn garage. She’d let it rot before taking his charity. When they reached her driveway, she kept the motor running.

  “Get your stuff and lock the door behind you.”

  Lucas didn’t move to get out. “Can we talk about this?”