Chapter 8
eight
. . .
Lila
Hugh and I had fallen into a rhythm over the last week.
I handled the books at all three locations, and I had taken over the scheduling for him, as well.
We’d come up with a plan to increase staffing at each location, but the focus was mostly on Reynolds’ as it was the busiest by far.
He was running a few interviews today, and my hope was that this would lighten his load.
The man was burning the candle at both ends, and I knew he’d eventually burn out if he didn’t get things under control.
I liked helping him organize his businesses.
The financials had been super easy to input on QuickBooks, and I showed him how to categorize everything.
He’d been doing a lot of it by hand, and he wasn’t keeping up.
Now things were up-to-date and running smoothly.
I’d jumped behind the bar last night with Joseph, another bartender, as Kline had been off both yesterday and today, and I’d helped manage the rush while Hugh was busy in the kitchen helping the servers.
I’d loved working behind the bar. I’d picked things up quickly, and it had been a lot of fun.
Del, Sloane, and Rina had come by for a drink, and they’d been thrilled to find me behind the bar.
We had plans to go to the biker bar this weekend after I toured Havenwood, the facility that I was looking at for my dad.
Things were falling into place for me, and I was happy.
It felt good to just enjoy each day as it arrived.
I was running in the mornings and going as far as I felt like going, as there was no set workout that I had to complete.
Hugh and I ate breakfast together every morning, and then we’d head to work and usually end up eating dinner together and heading home at the same time.
I leaned back in my chair as my phone rang, and I saw my father’s face on the screen.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, holding the phone up as he was FaceTiming me.
“Hi, sweetheart. I wanted you to know that I went to work today at the auto shop, and I’m home now and going to make a little dinner and watch some TV.” He was sitting on the couch, and I quickly assessed that he was sober.
He’d been doing these check-ins ever since I moved into Hugh’s house on the days that I didn’t make it over to see him. I appreciated that he was trying because none of this would work if he didn’t.
“That’s great, Dad. I’m proud of you. One day at a time, right?” I encouraged.
He nodded. “One day at a time, sweetheart.”
“I have that appointment this weekend, so I’ll get all the information and bring that over to you.”
He stared at the phone screen for a long moment before speaking. “Sounds good. You know, sometimes, you take my breath away because you look so much like your mother. I miss her every day.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Me, too, Dad. And it’s okay to miss her. Just don’t try to numb those feelings away, okay? Missing someone you love is part of grieving. It sucks, and it isn’t fair that she’s gone—but she would want us to live a good life, wouldn’t she?”
“You’re right. Of course, you got your smarts from her, too.” He chuckled. “God, she would be so proud of you and Travis. I’m going to make you guys proud this time. I promise I will.”
“You don’t need to promise anything, Dad.
You just need to do this for you right now.
Wouldn’t it feel so good to not be a slave to this addiction after all these years?
To just wake up and not have to battle it every day?
I know it’s easier said than done, but I’m here to support you every step of the way. ”
“I’m so glad you’re home. These last few years without my sunshine around have been tough, even though I have loved watching you accomplish so much. I’m just—well, I’m just happiest when you’re close by.”
“Me, too,” I said, blinking a few times because my eyes were welling with emotion.
“All right. I’m going to go heat up that lasagna you made for me. I swear, you froze enough meals to feed me for three months.”
“Eating well is important, too.” I shrugged. My father had gotten very thin, and I knew he didn’t bother preparing healthy meals for himself because he hadn’t done it when we were growing up.
We said our goodbyes, and I leaned back in the chair just as the door swung open and a sexy-as-sin Hugh Reynolds stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb.
He wore a wrinkled white button up and some cargo pants.
His wavy hair stopped at his shoulders and was a disheveled mess, yet he managed to be the best-looking man I’d ever laid eyes on.
“Take a break. Travis is here picking up food for Shay, and someone else is asking for you.” He smirked, and I squeezed my thighs together because there was just something about the way those sage-green eyes looked at me lately.
“Who?” I asked as I pushed to my feet because I was glad my brother was here. I’d gone by to see him and Shay last night, but I’d spent the whole time talking to her and barely asked how he was doing.
Hugh smiled. “It’s Coach Lewis, and he just got back in town.”
I ran past Hugh and sprinted down the hallway and up the stairs to the restaurant, hearing him laugh behind me.
Hugh’s office was in the basement, but I couldn’t wait to see Coach Lewis.
He’d been out of town since I’d been back home.
My high school coach was like a second father to me in a lot of ways.
Travis was standing at the bar talking to him, and I lunged at the older man.
“There she is,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I thought you weren’t getting back until next week?”
“Yeah, well, Brenda got homesick for the dogs, and Coach Callaway hasn’t been pushing the practices the way I do,” he said with a chuckle.
Coach Callaway was his assistant coach, and the man was a big softy, so that didn’t surprise me.
Coach Lewis’s wife, Brenda, was one of my favorite people in Cottonwood Cove, and I’d always loved them both dearly.
“Well, I’m glad you came back early.”
“Me, too. And standing here looking at a collegiate national champion. Do you know how impressive that is, girl?” he teased.
“I tell her that all the time,” Travis said, beaming down at me like he always did when he wasn’t being a domineering, stubborn ass.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m just happy to see you.”
“How’s working at Reynolds’? This place has been the hottest restaurant in town since it opened, and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up any time soon from what I can tell. That’s why I thought I’d come and hit Hugh up at the same time I came to see the superstar.”
“What can I do for you?” Hugh asked as his chest grazed my back, and cedar and mint flooded my senses, per usual.
“Well, I was going to see if you and Lila would stop by our booth at the Cottonwood Fair,” Coach Lewis said.
“We rented a large space this year to have all the families come out and kick off the season. I know you’re catering for the fair, but I was hoping you’d cut me a deal on providing some appetizers for our booth,” he said.
“I think we could probably donate the food, pending my new chief financial officer doesn’t have a problem with it,” Hugh teased.
The man was ridiculously generous, and I loved that about him, but I was also a numbers person, and there were areas he could tighten things up.
Charity was not one of them. There was always room to give back to your community.
“I think we could make that work.” I chuckled.
“Thanks. But I don’t mind paying for the cost of the food,” Coach Lewis said, and Hugh shook his head as if it weren’t up for discussion.
The older man smiled and nodded before turning his attention to me.
“And, of course, the main reason I stopped by is to see if you would come speak to the kids about your journey to being the most decorated runner in the state of California to date, then going off to one of the best universities in the country to get your degree and win a collegiate national title at the same time.” He shook his head and smiled.
The man had always been a huge support to me. He’d pushed me when I’d needed it, and he’d believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
“Of course. I’d be honored to speak to them.” I sighed. I’d missed… this. Being home and seeing people that had been a part of my life for such a long time. I’d been so busy these last few years that I’d forgotten how much I missed home.
“And you sure look good, Lila James. You look… happy. I’m really glad you’re home.”
“Just for the summer. She’s got a big job waiting for her back in Chicago come September. This is just temporary,” Travis said, and it was maybe the hundredth time I’d heard him explain that to anyone and everyone who I’d spoken to around him.
“Well, there are big jobs here, too. You know, if you ever want to be a coach, the kids sure would love it. Having the famed Lila James out there teaching them her secrets, I’d be willing to pass the torch to you any day.” He winked.
Travis’s eyes doubled in size. “I mean, she could go help out until she leaves, but it wouldn’t be long term. She’s got big things to get back to.”
I felt Hugh’s shoulders stiffen from behind me as if even he thought my brother was being a bit much about it.
Coach Lewis looked between Travis and me.
“I don’t think this is a girl you ever need to worry about, Travis.
She’s worked hard her whole life. I think she’s earned the right to choose her own path, don’t you? ”
“Hell, yeah. It’s just not going to be here. She’s got so many more opportunities in Chicago.”
“Oh my gosh,” I groaned. “You’re acting like one of those obnoxious, overbearing parents, Trav. People are going to start calling you Karen.”
“What the hell does that mean?”