Chapter three
“Your Highness, let me see.”
On Tuesday morning, Abe drove past Rocco’s and through town to pick up Maggie and bring her to work. Since he was opening, she would be coming in earlier than her usual shift. But she, of course, was just thankful for the ride.
When he arrived in front of her house, he let her know he was there with two short honks on his horn. A few minutes later, she came through the door and hurried to the car. The wind was blowing hard, and the sky was cloudy as the predicted storm approached.
Maggie got into the truck, then ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it. “Jeez, the wind is crazy.”
“Yeah. This is the type of wind that knocks down trees.”
“Well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen on our way to work.”
“I’ve got four-wheel drive. We’ll be fine.”
“Maybe. But I’d prefer we didn’t need to go off-road to get there.”
They arrived at Rocco’s without incident, and the phone was ringing when they went inside. Abe went to answer it while Maggie went to the bathroom to comb her hair and pull it back off her face for work.
“Rocco’s.”
“Hey, this is Gentry. I tried your cell.”
Abe took his cell out of his pocket. “Sorry, it’s on silent. What’s up?”
“Levi is having a bad day.”
“Sorry, man. Are you staying home with him?”
“I’d sure like to. But if you really need me, just call.”
“We’ve got it. Take the day, and tell the little dude his uncle sends his love.”
“Will do. Luke isn’t available either. He’s helping Dad today.”
“Right. No problem.”
“Okay. But please call…”
“I will.” He ended the call as Maggie walked up to him.
“Is that an order?”
“Gentry. He’s staying home with Levi today.”
“Oh, poor baby. Is he okay?”
“Having a rough time, I guess.”
“So, Luke’s coming in?”
“No. It’s just you and me today, kid.”
“Hmm. Okay. We can do it.”
“Get the front set up, then come help me back here.”
“Yes, boss.” He shook his head, and she smiled. “Master? Your Highness? Mr. Buchanan?”
“Abe works. Although I’m kind of fond of Your Highness.”
Maggie left to get the restaurant ready, and Abe started the fire in the pizza oven.
Once it was going, he took a tray of dough from the walk-in and set it next to the oven to warm and rise.
With the cooler weather, they’d sell more soup than usual, so he began preparing a pot of chicken noodle and another of navy bean.
He was chopping chicken when Maggie came up behind him.
“What can I do?”
He didn’t hear her coming, and he jumped, which caused the knife to slip and cut his finger. He dropped the knife. “Ouch. Dammit.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine. That dammit was aimed at me, not you.”
“Let me see.” She put a hand on his arm.
“No, it’s fine.” He grabbed a towel and held it against the wound.
“Your Highness, let me see.”
He smiled, then went to the sink. Maggie followed him, then gasped when she saw how deep the cut was on his right index finger.
“That’s bad.”
Abe ran it under water. “I just need a Band-Aid.” He glanced at her. “Will you get me one from the first aid kit?”
She nodded, then left him to go to the kit hanging near the desk. She returned with two Band-Aids, then turned off the water. She took his hand and wrapped it in a clean towel. “I think you need a stitch or two.”
“I don’t. I’ve had a lot worse.”
She patted the cut with a paper towel, then put one of the Band-Aids over it. “Do you want me to kiss it? I’ve heard that makes it feel better.”
Abe laughed. “Sure. Couldn’t hurt, I guess.”
Maggie kissed his finger, then looked at him. “All better?”
“Maybe.” She was still holding his hand, and he pulled it away, then took a step back.
Maggie tossed the towels into the dirty linen container. “You’ll need to wear a glove today.”
“I know the drill. No Band-Aids in my navy bean soup.”
“I’m sure the customers will appreciate it.”
He looked at his finger. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Do you want me to finish chopping up that chicken?”
“Yeah, and the ham for the navy bean. I’ll start on the dough.”
By the time the first customers came through the door, they were prepared for the day with the soup bubbling on the stove, the pizza oven hot and ready for pizzas, and the prep counter fully stocked.
Maggie went to greet the customers and take their drink orders.
As she was delivering their drinks, two more groups of customers came in.
Abe watched her work the floor with ease and skill.
She was good at what she did. And as much as he didn’t always want to admit it to himself, she was the face of Rocco’s.
The customers kept coming, and without Maggie’s help, Abe never would have been able to keep up with them.
She divided her time among waiting on customers, delivering orders, and helping him prep the pizzas.
She made salads and served soup. She kept the beer cooler full, and she did it all with a smile.
When they had a quick minute to take a breath, he motioned for her to come to the back of the kitchen.
She looked concerned. “What did I do?”
“Nothing. I mean everything. You’re keeping us from drowning in orders.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I just wanted to let you know that I see it and appreciate it.”
She took a step back. “Really?”
“Yes. Stop saying really. I mean it. Thank you.”
The bell above the door sounded, and Abe sighed. “We still need to make it through dinner.”
She smiled. “We can do this.”
“I have no doubt.”
“How’s your finger?”
He held it up. He’d gone through a few Band-Aids, but it seemed to have finally stopped bleeding. “It’s all good.”
“It was the kiss.”
“Most likely. Now…”
“I know. Get back to work.”
She started to leave, and he took her arm. “We’re having a beer tonight.”
“Only one?”
He grinned. “We’ll start with one and see where we end up.”
The rain started coming down late in the afternoon, but it didn’t seem to slow the flow of customers.
They stayed busy through dinner and didn’t slow down until seven.
By eight, the place was empty, but it took them a while to close up because they hadn’t had time to get anything done until they turned the open sign off.
An hour later, they sat at a booth with beer and a basket of breadsticks. Maggie dipped one in the marinara, then took a bite. After she finished chewing, she shook her head. “We did it.”
“Yes, we did. I swear every time it rains, people think the end of the world is coming.”
“And a Rocco’s pizza is their final wish?”
“Of course. Isn’t it yours?”
“Hmm. Maybe.”
He took a sip of beer. “If you knew the world was ending, what would be the last thing you did?”
“Scream?”
“Before that.”
She thought for a moment. “Go on a trail ride.”
“Interesting.” He ripped a breadstick in half and took a bite.
“How about you?”
“I’d take off on my bike.”
“Okay. I should’ve guessed that. Would you go alone?”
“Unless someone wanted to come with me. But most likely alone.”
“That’s kind of sad, Abe.”
“You didn’t say anything about bringing a cowboy with you on your final trail ride.”
Maggie shook her head. “Why are we talking about this? So depressing. The world is not going to end anytime soon.”
“You’re right. At least I hope you’re right. I’m not quite ready to ride off into the sunset.”
She held up a hand. “Just one more question. Where would you go?”
“Anywhere. Nowhere. I’d just ride and see how far I got before the world disappeared.”
Maggie cocked her head. “You could do that without the threat of the end of the world.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I could, and I’ve thought about it from time to time. But I think I’d rather not do it alone. Besides, you and I kept this place going. But you and Gentry, I’m not so sure.”
“Oh my gosh. Gentry is more than capable.”
“I know, and dedicated. But he’s more dedicated to his family.”
“As he should be.”
“I agree. I’m not dissing him. He’s a great dad and husband. Family comes first. I’m glad Angie is paying for what she did, but Gentry missed a lot less work when he was sharing custody with her.”
“He and Marti are still settling in. They’ll figure it out.”
“I know. As I said, I respect his devotion to his family.”
Maggie took a sip of her beer. “Are you ever going to have a family?”
He smiled. “Hmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t think so. How about you?”
“Of course. I want a few kids someday. Maybe more than a few.”
“Wow. Okay.”
“Does that surprise you?”
“No. I just never thought about it much.”
“Because I’m just Maggie, the waitress. If I show up, that’s all you need from me.”
He reached for her hand. “No. That’s not true.”
“It kind of feels like it is.”
“I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
“It’s okay. It’s just who you are.”
“Wow. Okay.”
She pulled her hand away. “That was mean. Sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
He finished the beer in his bottle. “I guess we should call it a night before the storm gets worse.”
“Abe.”
“We’re good, Maggie.” He stood. “Let’s get you home.”
Maggie got to her feet and hugged him. “I respect you, Abe.”
He took a step back. “Okay.”
“What you built here is amazing, and I’m so blessed to be a part of it.”
“You always have a place here.”
“Thank you.”
He grinned. “As long as you keep calling me Your Highness.”
She nudged him. “Not going to happen.”
“Fine. After today, I guess you earned the right to call me whatever the hell you want.”