“And I buy used books to read.” Liam gave Brianna a wink. “That was how we met.”
No, Allison thought, this young man was nothing like Kevin. He had skill, ambition, and common sense. So far, so good.
“But that’s enough about me,” Liam said. “It’s Brianna I’m concerned about. Will she have to drop out of Northwestern?”
“For the semester at least,” Allison said. “Her father’s accident would be enough reason to take time off. But the rest—the DUI charge and the sentencing—will be up to the judge.”
“I’ll have to tell the dean the truth,” Brianna said. “I can’t lie my way back into school. My arrest will be on the public record. It would be too easy for them to check.” Her voice broke, but she managed not to cry. Liam’s arm went around her shoulders in a reassuring hug.
“I’ve learned my share of lessons the hard way,” he said. “But seeing Brianna pay such a high price for one mistake . . .” He shook his head. “It just kills me. I love this girl. I want what’s best for her.”
Looking at the two of them, Allison had no doubt he spoke the truth. But Liam was a mature man. Brianna still had a lot of growing up to do—just as Allison had had to grow up when she’d married Kevin at the same age.
The server brought their meals and they settled into eating and small talk. “Is there a college in Branson?” Liam asked.
“College of the Ozarks,” Allison said. “It’s a good school. The students earn their tuition by working, which gives kids who can’t afford to pay a chance for an education.”
“But it isn’t Northwestern,” Brianna added. “They offer a minor in journalism but not a major. I suppose I could take a few classes and hope to transfer later. But it’s not my plan. It’s not my dream.”
“I know,” Allison said. “I could tell you that you’ll get back what you’ve lost or find another dream. But right now I know better than to say that.”
“Would you mind if I took Brianna for a ride after dinner?” Liam asked. “We’ve got a lot to talk about. I promise to have her back at the motel by ten.”
“Fine.” It would be bending the rules set by the court, but Allison sensed that if she said no, Brianna would slip out anyway. Why create bad feelings over a fight she was bound to lose? “Just be careful,” she said.
“We don’t go fast, and Liam always makes me wear his helmet,” Brianna said.
“Then he should take some of that money in the bank and buy an extra helmet for himself,” Allison said, feeling old and wondering if he’d take her advice.
They finished their meals. Allison had planned to pay, but Liam snatched the check from the server and had the cash out before she could argue. Another point scored.
“Ready?” He stood and held Brianna’s leather coat while she slid her arms into the sleeves. Turning, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with love. They were so beautiful together, Allison thought. But only time would tell whether the magic would—or even should—last.
They walked Allison to her car, and she watched them climb onto Liam’s motorcycle, Brianna holding tightly to his back as they roared away. Had she done the right thing, letting Burke’s daughter go off with a man her father had already judged to be unsuitable? What if they had an accident, or what if they just kept going and never came back?
But they were responsible young people, Allison reminded herself. Liam treated Brianna like a treasure and would die before he let her come to harm. He would have her safely back, as he’d promised, by ten o’clock that night.
She watched them until the motorcycle vanished from sight, then climbed into her car and drove back to the motel.
* * *
They followed the road to Brianna’s favorite place, the deserted beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. The night was unseasonably warm, the west wind blowing clouds across a murky sky, heralding the cold front that was forecast for morning.
They secured the bike, kicked off their boots and socks, and walked hand in hand along the beach. The sand was like cool silk under their bare feet. Whitecaps on the dark water crashed against the shoreline.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” Brianna asked him.
“I have to work tomorrow. And Allison mentioned that you’ll be leaving right after your meeting with the dean. She’s a nice woman, by the way. After listening to you, I wasn’t sure what to expect. You made her sound like the Wicked Witch of the West.”
“I did not!” She swung a playful punch at his chest. “I only said that she was the wrong woman for my father. But I have to say, she’s been pretty decent since my arrest.”
There was a moment of silence. She let him pull her closer, nestling into the curve of his arm. “So I won’t see you tomorrow, will I?”
He shook his head. “It’ll only make saying goodbye that much harder, Brianna. But I want you to call me after your meeting and let me know what the dean says. All right?”
“All right. But what if I can’t stay in the journalism program? What if I can’t come back at all? They’ve got applicants beating down the doors to get in. A journalism degree from Northwestern—that’s like the Holy Grail! Why should they keep me—especially if my dad loses his business and can’t pay my fees?” She looked up at him. “What if I can’t be with you?”
“Hush.” He grazed a trail of kisses along her hairline. “You’re intelligent and capable, and I love you. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it. You and me together. I’m not going anywhere.”