Recap of Chapter 26: Martin was energized by the wild idea of surprising Chloe by showing up at her doorstep. His plan was completed when he stood on the porch with Barney holding a bouquet in his mouth. He waited for the loving embrace that was sure to follow. Little did he know, she already had late night company.
Martin got to his rental car and loaded Barney in the back. Surprising Chloe was a bad idea. Of course she was seeing other men. She, being such a young, vivacious and energetic woman. And, to be fair, he did know she had a casual approach to sex. He’s just too old for her—maybe not chronologically, but certainly by attitude. Oh, he thought he could take things casually—keep it light. But in practice, he wanted someone in his life who meant something. He thought it might be Chloe, but after today, he could tell that just wasn’t possible.
He started the car and headed toward Penny’s place. She’d probably still be in the restaurant—it wasn’t that late, after all. Penny, being the loving daughter she is, would surely console him and give him something to do to take his mind off Chloe. She always needed help with the restaurant, and Jesse would enjoy the company. Halfway there, his mind went in a new direction. What would she think about all this? What would Penny have to say about him acting like a lovesick teenager? And, it wouldn’t do to have her be at odds with Chloe. Not over him. On second thought, maybe he’d just head back to the airport—pick up the next available flight home and stay there until the spring thaw. He could hole up in his lakeside cabin with Barney; take walks where they collect sticks to finish that project he kept putting off. Hobbies, taking walks and making his homemade clam chowder—that’s what he should be doing right now. While he was pondering this, wrapping his head around the new plan, he approached the Lucky Penny parking lot.
He looked in the rearview mirror at Barney curled up in the back seat. “What do you think, old boy? Should we or shouldn’t we?” Barney stood, leaned forward from the back seat, and licked his ear.” Martin dug his free hand in his fur. “At least you’re loyal,” he said, kissing his nose. “How about you and me just put this little adventure behind us? I say we head on home and pretend this didn’t happen.” He passed right by his daughter’s restaurant and bar, pulled a u-turn and headed back the way he came toward I-70. He’d get a hotel room close to the airport and grab the first available flight back in the morning. Penny would never be the wiser and he could get back on track with the life he was living before this little foray into romance. “To hell with it!” he exclaimed. “Time to go back to keeping it real, Barney.”
Jesse finally got a break between customers. What a crazy week so far and a busy night. With just a couple people left at the bar, he snuck outside to get some air. He pulled the vape pen out of his pocket, cursing himself for falling into the weakness. He leaned against the railing by the creek, watching the sparse traffic pass by. A car slowed to a crawl. With no other lighting, Jesse could see into the car. He watched as a dog stood and leaned over the front seat, blocking the driver. Then, the car pulled a u-turn and headed back the way it came. That’s when he got a good look at the driver, awash in the blue glow of the car’s dash. It was Martin. And Barney too. He was sure of it. He stood tall, ready to wave, but the car picked up speed and disappeared into the black night.
The kitchen was closed for the night, and Penny was in her office planning next week’s menu. She was relaxed, shoes kicked off, feet propped up on the desk, chef’s coat unbuttoned. Her laptop balanced on her lap as she looked at previous menu plans, trying to come up with something new and interesting. She could use her dad’s advice on this. He always dug up some forgotten culinary treasure from her childhood or some kind of new trend circulating with his foodie friends. Surprisingly, he had people in his circle who regularly traveled to Portland, sharing with him all the inventive dishes they tried. She could use some of his or his friends’ input right about now. But being two hours ahead, she didn’t want to wake him.
Forgetting the menu, Penny’s mind drifted to her dad. He was such an interesting man. Of course, the world sees him for the man he is now—the folksy, retired guy tucked away in a secluded cabin. The guy who takes his shaggy Golden Retriever with him everywhere. But, back in the day, he had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances from all walks of life. Take his best friend, Fred, for instance. Fred was a big guy in some shadow branch of law—the C.I.A. or something. They never talked about it, but teenaged Penny heard bits and pieces of banter around the weekly poker table when she was supposed to be sleeping. Her dad, being a cop, trained her early not to ask questions about his work. Her mom, when she was alive, never did and it became a known family practice to never ask. The people her dad knew sometimes scared her, but she trusted him to keep her safe. Her trust was well placed. And now, she was starting to see him in a new light. If the fabulous Chloe could see him as a desirable man, it was clear he was way more than a cabin-bound hermit. Good for him, Penny thought. He deserved some romance and happiness in his life.
The door opened tentatively and Jesse poked his head through. “Hey, Boss, are you busy?” he asked. Penny snapped her laptop shut. “Nah. Just working on next week’s menu.” She slapped her hands on the desk, “You’ve saved me. Tell me you come bearing a dozen new menu ideas!” He came closer. “Not exactly.” Penny noted immediately that his demeanor was off. It put her on alert. She sat up straight. “Jesse, what’s up?”
“Time to go back to keeping it real, Barney.”
