“It’s just me and Riley.”
Lorne gave another ‘huh’. It really was halfway between a hum and a choke. Nate had to look twice to see he was okay. “That’s what they all say,” the old man muttered.
Nate frowned. “That it’s just them and Riley?”
“No. That they’re only in town for a little while. But what they don’t know,” Lorne said, leaning closer, as though he had the best secret to tell. “And what you don’t know either, Mr. Crawford, is that once this place has its hooks in you, you’ll never want to leave.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, sir. I suppose you’ve heard the story of the angel?”
Um, no he hadn’t. Nate didn’t particularly want to hear it now either. He wanted to go back into the shop and get things ready for the staff meeting he was planning to have, and later the renovation company would arrive, ready to begin work on the place.
“That’s how this town came to be built, you know,” Lorne said, even though Nate hadn’t had a chance to reply. “A lost man was looking for somewhere to call home. His name was Captain Paxton and he was sailing around these shores looking for a place to anchor up. Then he looked into the sky and saw an angel hovering ahead, her arm stretched out and pointing to this very bay. And though his entire crew thought it was too dangerous, too rocky and too shallow, he steered his ship inward and came to rest just where Paxton’s Pier is today.” Lorne nodded his head. “And even if you can’t see her, the angel’s been showing lost people their way home ever since.”
That was all very well, but this wasn’t Nate’s home. It was just a place he hoped Riley would be able to see out school for the next year and a half. Without flunking out, without getting kicked out, and preferably without being thrown into jail.
“That’s a good story.”
Lorne shook his head. “It’s a stupid story. Everybody knows Captain Paxton was a drunk.”
“He was?” This conversation was more than confusing. Nate wanted it to end, and soon.
“Yes, but that’s a story for another day. Okay, then. As long as we’re clear on everything.” Lorne nodded, more to himself than Nate. “You understand?”
“Sure,” Nate lied. “Completely.”
“Well have a good day. And remember to treat Ally right.” With that, Lorne turned on his heel and left, walking out a lot faster than he’d walked in.
Nate took a deep breath and shook his head, because, seriously?
He wasn’t sure what just happened.
* * *
A crowd had gathered on the boardwalk by the time Ally made it back to the Beach Café, a much bigger one than she’d seen waiting for a coffee in a long time. She smiled at Deenie Russell, long-time owner of Books on the Beach, and Deenie waved back.
“We were just looking for you. Are you okay, sweetheart?” Deenie reached out for Ally’s hand and squeezed it.
“Is it true that you’re closing up the café for a few weeks?” Frank Megassey asked, staring at the sign Nate Crawford must have pasted on the locked door to the café. “For renovations? Nobody’s asked me about helping with materials.”
And from the dark tone in his voice he wasn’t happy about it one bit. Everybody in Angel Sands knew that Frank supplied the best materials and tools. He knew about every renovation in town.
Except this one, it would seem.
“It’s just for a couple of weeks,” Ally said, staring at the closed doors. “The new owner wants to brighten the place up. It’s been a long time since those walls saw a lick of paint.”
“Who’s the new owner?” Frank asked, inclining his head to try and look through the glass. “Do I know him?”
“Or her,” Deenie said, shooting Frank a dark look.
“I don’t think so. It’s been bought by a chain,” Ally told him, trying to keep her voice as upbeat as possible. She might have told Nate what she thought about his plans, but that didn’t mean anybody else needed to know. “You might have heard of them. Déjà Brew.”
“I told you.” Lorne raised his eyebrows at Frank. “See, I’m not such an old liar after all.”
“Déjà Brew?” Frank repeated, rubbing his thick beard with his fingers. “Drink it once and we guarantee you’ll be back?”
“You’ve seen those ads too? They’re catchy as hell, aren’t they?” Deenie said. She turned her warm eyes on Ally. “What does this mean for you, honey?”