Chapter 14 #2
Lucas studied his friend carefully. ‘How is Al today?’
‘Not too good. I have a nurse coming round later today. I think he may need to go back into hospital for a time. He has another infection.’
‘I’m sorry, buddy,’ Lucas replied. He could see the hurt on his friend’s face.
‘We’ll be fine. I guess I’m getting used to it.’ Greg sighed. ‘Now stop worrying about me. I think you could use some matcha goodness in you.’
Lucas pulled a face at him and sighed. ‘OK. OK. I’ll buy one drink. Just to shut you up if nothing else.’
Outside it was surprisingly warm and clammy, and Lucas was immediately blinded by the high spring sun shining directly at him.
He used to love this time of year, the promise of summer and the change of season – it used to feel like such a fresh and exciting time, when absolutely anything could happen.
But then something did happen – the worst thing.
And now, Lucas headed into these months with a heavy sense of loss and foreboding.
Maybe spring was a time of unsettling change and bad omens.
Nothing felt the same anymore.
There were still some people at Willow’s van/wagon/stall – whatever she wanted to call it.
The Henrys – a young couple that had moved to town a few months ago and always seemed to be so enthusiastic about everything – were walking away clutching their drinks.
Macguire was there leaning up against the side of the van and chatting to Willow in his easy way.
Lucas was surprised to see him as he was always so busy.
He must be checking out some of his businesses in the town.
Lucas had never much liked the tall, smooth-talking man that swanned around here in his finest suit – but it probably didn’t help that Macguire had also dated his mother for several years.
No matter how nice that man was towards him, or how much his mom told him that he ‘should give the guy a break’, Lucas had never been in the mood to take on a new stepdaddy.
Especially not one whose hair was so slicked back with hair products, it looked greasier than his frying pan.
‘Hey man,’ Macguire called him over cheerfully, waving. ‘This is a great idea of yours! Getting in there with the latest trends.’
Lucas had only just noticed Willow, who was standing inside the wagon, looking a little disgruntled at Macguire’s comment. She looked different today. Her glossy brown hair was swept back into a high ponytail and her face looked flushed and glowy.
‘This is actually my idea,’ she said politely, pointing to the sign. ‘Willow’s Matcha Wagon, see – all my own business. Nothing to do with anyone else. Well, I had some input from a marketing friend, but apart from that …’
Macguire was still grinning like a tomcat. ‘Yeah, yeah, I see that, but you’re on Lucas’s property, aren’t you? I bet he had a hand in this too. He’s always been a clever one.’
Lucas knew what he was doing. It was what he always did – try to win Lucas’s favor by flattering him and being over-the-top nice. He had no idea why Macguire was still bothering though; his mom had been dead nearly two years now. He didn’t need to impress Lucas anymore.
Two years … The reminder hit him like a punch in the gut and he had to shake his head to focus back on the present moment.
‘Seriously, Mac, this isn’t anything to do with me,’ he said finally, shoving his hands deep in his pockets. ‘Willow just rocked up here and landed me with her new business idea. I barely had a say.’ He turned to Willow. ‘How’s it going anyway?’
Willow nodded. ‘OK, I think. I’ve sold a few this morning and everyone seems to like the rich unami flavors. I’m making them write reviews on my website. I have an offer—’
‘Two for one,’ Macguire jumped in, holding up a purply green drink. ‘I’m on my second already. I recommend the Blueberry Buzz – it hits the spot nicely. The perfect balance of health, tradition and flavor.’
Lucas raised an eyebrow. ‘Blueberry Buzz?’
Willow shrugged. ‘I’m still playing around with names. I want them to be memorable. I have the Strawberry Slammer, the Raspberry Rant; I’m still struggling with naming the blackberry one.’
‘Blackberry Bummer?’ Lucas offered dryly.
Willow stuck her tongue out at him. ‘You are clearly not getting into the spirit of things.’
He held up his hands in mock apology. ‘Hey! I’m sorry. I actually did come out here to try one. Greg is covering for me in there …’ He gestured back towards The Diner. ‘I might as well take advantage of my break while I can.’
Willow smiled. Lucas had forgotten just how much he loved that smile.
She had the cutest little gap between her teeth, which made her look a little kooky.
He remembered how she had hated her teeth when she was little.
How she had cried for hours when she got her braces for the first time, and he had gone to the store and spent his allowance on ice cream for her.
They had sat on the steps of The Diner eating it together, two spoons and one huge tub.
How old had they been then? Eleven? Twelve?
So young, but it didn’t matter. He knew then how fiercely he loved her, and he would do anything to make her happy.
‘Tell you what,’ Willow said, breaking his thoughts. ‘I’ll gift you this one for free, as a thank you for letting me set up here.’
‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘I want to, so don’t start arguing with me …’ She eyed him seriously. ‘So, what flavor would you like? Can I tempt you with my favorite, a Chaotic Cherry?’
‘I’ll have the Bummer Blackberry,’ he said with a straight face. ‘Please.’
She groaned at him, flicked her ponytail, and then busied herself with the mixture. Lucas watched her as she sang softly under her breath. She was so relaxed and at ease here; Lucas could kind of see what Greg was getting at. She did have a natural way about her.
And it was familiar. Too familiar.
‘Ta da!’ she said, finally presenting him with a green drink with swirls of dark purple in it. Lucas lifted it up and eyed it suspiciously. He sniffed the top.
‘I’m not trying to kill you,’ she assured him. ‘It’s delicious. In the next few days, I’ll have more options too – hot matcha! I might even look into stocking matcha ice cream.’
Lucas growled under his breath and took a sip. It was certainly different. He wanted to hate it, but actually, it was pretty good. He took another slug and nodded slowly in appreciation.
‘See!’ Willow said proudly. ‘If I can convince an old stick in the mud like you, I’ve got a winner.’
‘I’m not a stick in the mud!’
‘Really?’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘So, tell me, are you still having flat whites every day?’
Lucas didn’t answer. She’d won that one.
‘I knew it! Weren’t you having those at eighteen?’
His eyes widened. He was surprised she had noticed anything about him at eighteen; she had always been so busy wrapped up with Jake.
‘I like the taste and I guess I have easy access,’ he replied casually. ‘You’re not going to kick my coffee habit that easily.’
‘OK. I’m just happy to see you try a new thing.’ She paused. ‘You mentioned it was quiet at The Diner. Is it normally like this?’
A tiny crease of concern appeared between her eyes. Lucas realized that this wasn’t just her being nosy. If it was quiet here, it was going to affect her business too. When Willow left the town, it had been much busier and more bustling, so this was probably a shock to her.
‘It’s been quiet like this for a while,’ he admitted.
‘The bigger stores they developed at the Ridge have driven business there. If people want to visit the mountains, they go that way now. There is a five-star inn, better retail options and award-winning restaurants. I guess we don’t have that to offer here. ’
Willow’s frown deepened. ‘But the Springs is known for its quaint beauty. I don’t get it. Are people not even visiting the waterfall anymore?’
‘I guess not …’
‘That’s awful. I can’t believe so much has changed.’
‘I think we’ve just become forgotten,’ Lucas said simply. ‘The bigger places gain more attention and traction. It’s what happens. Who wants to stay at the Parkers’s trashy Honey Pot Inn when you can have the luxury of a five-star hotel …’
He didn’t mention The Diner and his fears about that. Lucas was scraping by on little more than sentimental memories.
Willow sniffed. ‘Well, we are going to have to do something to change this, Luc.’
‘We?’ He threw his empty drink in the nearby garbage can and wiped his lips. ‘I don’t know what good I can do, Willow. I’m just a guy who lives here. I’m not a marketing genius like you.’
Her eyes shone as she stared back at him. He hated how that made him feel – so soft and vulnerable, like she could see right through him. He had to quickly look away.
‘You’re not just some guy, Luc,’ she said softly. ‘You’re so much more than that.’
He muttered something under his breath about needing to get back to Greg and turned away. He couldn’t deal with the rush of emotions that hit him, nor did he want Willow to see that his cheeks were now flaming red.
‘Hey.’ Macguire punched his arm as he passed him. ‘I heard that. That woman likes you, son. Mark my words.’
‘Give it a rest, Mac …’ Lucas shot back. ‘You don’t know anything.’
He shuffled into The Diner feeling confused and a little agitated. Why was he letting Willow get under his skin again? It had taken so long to try and forget about her.
Lucas licked his lips. It was good. He could still taste her sweet blackberry matcha on them. And had a sudden urge to go back for more.