Chapter Twenty-Three
Tug looked at Rosemary. You most certainly did re s cue me. As much as he was tempted, he refrained from saying it out loud. He’d thought what he was feeling was Maeve’s familiar presence—well, the memory of it—until he heard Rosemary’s voice.
Seeing her standing there surprised him. Pleasantly so. There was so much on his mind.
“When I saw the van, I wondered if you might need a ride home.” She lifted her glass. “I guess you’re quite able to drive.”
He bobbed his head. “Yes. Quite.”
“Come here often?”
“Fisher keeps me hydrated with my favorite tonic.” Tug shook his glass, rattling the ice. “He says the lime juice has vitamin C and antioxidants.”
“And the cherries?”
“No benefit whatsoever. Sugar mostly. I just like them, and he aims to please. I can’t make his favorite meal anymore, but he’s still holding up his end of the bargain.”
Fisher tucked a bar towel into his belt. “Well, you were feeding me a good ten years before I ever opened this joint. I got you covered, old man.” He turned to Rosemary. “How do you know this guy? Old girlfriend perhaps?”
“No. Hardly. I’m visiting a friend here in town. Tug and I met rather quickly right before the storm. But it was after that we sort of became friends instantly.”
Fisher nodded, not looking completely convinced. “No surprise. He’s a good guy. He’s a legend around these parts.”
“No.” Tug rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to him.”
“Won the East Coast Surfing Championships more than once.” Fisher pointed to one of the longboards still affixed to the ceiling. “The hurricane couldn’t steal his old board. He even signed it for me.” He leaned back and pointed to the back quarter. “You can still see it.”
“That was a long time ago.” Tug felt silly admitting to something that was certainly not going to impress his new friend. “I signed it for him when he opened the place, but I won that championship when I was in my twenties.”
Fisher stood straighter. “The East Coast Surfing Championships. It was a big deal.”
“You weren’t even born yet,” Tug said.
“You were pretty big time, Tug,” Rosemary said, looking impressed. “And here you told me you never traveled.”
“Well, Virginia Beach isn’t really that far. They come here. We go there.” Tug shrugged it off. “Besides, it was a very long time ago before that event became renowned enough to pull in the best surfers. I haven’t surfed in years.”
“I bet you had a line of little Gidget girls in bikinis chasing you around,” Rosemary teased.
He blushed. “I did okay.” He wished he was sipping something stronger than cherry limeade right now.
“You seem to be a legend around these parts for lots of reasons.” She turned her attention to Fisher. “I’ve heard praise of his pancakes from more than a few folks.”
“Hailey and Jess? Paul probably.”
She nodded.
“Add me to the list. I could live on his pancakes too,” Fisher said.
“As I suspected. Legendary,” she said. “He hasn’t made them for me yet, but I loved his cheeseburger.” Rosemary lifted her shoulder playfully as if she thought Tug was holding out on her.
“Whoa.” Fisher leaned over the counter. “Tell me more.” He tapped Tug on the arm. “Look at you two. I knew I felt a vibe.”
Tug shook his head. “Down, boy. She came into the diner while I was closing down for the storm. It was a leftover cheeseburger.”
“It’s true.” She raised her hand. “Girl Scout’s honor. I did enjoy it, though.”
“You two are in for some good times ahead. I’m gettin’ a vibe here. Don’t doubt me. I’ve got a sense about these things.” He smirked and walked away, turning back only long enough to give them a thumbs-up.
“Sorry about that,” Tug said. “He’s a hoot.”
“I’m flattered.”
Tug leaned his arm on the bar. “What are you doing here?”
“Um, well. I really thought I was going to rescue you.” She waved her hand as if pushing the comment aside. “I saw the minivan. I thought, as a good friend, I should stop. So, here I am.”
“Why are you worried about me?”
“Because you are going through a trauma and you’re not talking about it. I know how losing something precious feels, and I don’t want you to feel that way. I don’t know. I’m overstepping, aren’t I?” She lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I take action, and I don’t really think about it first.”
“No. It’s okay. Thank you for thinking of me. I’m definitely feeling unanchored, but being with you is nice. It’s grounding.”
“It is?”
“Yeah, really nice. And you’re right—I’m not talking about it, because I don’t know what to think or do or where to begin.”
“I know that feeling. When I lost Kai, it…I still can’t even describe it.”
“Exactly. I can’t put it into words, so how do I talk about it?”
“I understand.”
“Kathleen is lucky to have a friend like you. I wouldn’t really have imagined the two of you being close friends.”
“Can I tell you something, just between the two of us?”
“Anything.”
“It’s not exactly like I thought it was going to be, and we weren’t even really that close in high school. She was all tall and model-like and popular, and I was, well, always in awe of her. And she was sort of the only person I knew how to contact. I was looking for something. I just didn’t know what it was.”
“Figured that out yet?”
“I’m not sure. My life with Kai was in Hawaii, and he wasn’t there anymore. But moving in with my daughter? It’s been stressful and a little unpleasant. I want to feel welcome and at home. Somewhere. Anywhere.”
“And you don’t feel that here?”
“I feel it here on Whelk’s Island. Did I tell you Kathleen went off with her friends on a trip? I’m watching her cat.”
Tug shook his head, laughing. “She left you? Sorry—I shouldn’t laugh, but it sounds like something she’d do.”
“Oh, it’s fine. She invited me to join them, but it wasn’t my kind of trip. I was happy to offer to watch the cat in exchange for the chance to breathe in this lovely beach air. She and her friends were exhausting. I just don’t have that kind of energy.”
“You have an abundance of energy.”
“Well, not that kind.”
“Kathleen is…She’s a force. Best way to describe her.”
“Well put.”
“So, you’re not spending your time visiting with Kathleen?”
“Nope, just her cat, Prissy, who has only as of yesterday become social, and I’m sort of enjoying her. I never thought of myself as a cat person, but cat tolerant maybe.”
Tug laughed. “Well, thank you for stopping in to rescue me.”
“I haven’t, but while I’m here, if you wanted, I could help you sort of process some of this.”
He liked her. She had an impish way about her that made him feel up, even when he didn’t want to.
“And how would you see us getting started with that?”
“Well, how about we don’t try at first? I’ll bring a notebook and kind of jot ideas as we talk. Let’s cook something together. We both love that, and it’s a calming thing to do. We’ll just trust that something brilliant will come out of it.”
“We will?”
“Yes! Come on. Don’t be a curmudgeon.”
“A curmudgeon? I was just asking—”
“Just trust the process.”
“The one you’re going to make up? On the fly? While we’re cooking?”
“Yes. In your kitchen on that really nice butcher block. I’m dying to chop on that. Please let me come sous-chef.”
“How do I say no to that? Okay.”
“Okay?” She danced in her seat. “Really?”
“Yes. What do you propose we make?”
“How about something that will fill the house with wonderful aromas? Lasagna? Can you make lasagna?”
“ Can he make lasagna ?” Fisher piped in. “Sorry—wasn’t listening, just heard that last part.”
“Sure, Fisher,” they said together, which made all three of them laugh.
“Lasagna it is,” Tug said.
“And buttery garlic bread,” Rosemary added. “And I’ll bring dessert. Fair enough?”
Tug stretched out his right hand. “Deal.”
She pressed her hand into his and gave it a shake. “Can I push my luck and suggest one other thing?”
“You’re going to anyway.”
“You’re right. Tomorrow is Sunday.”
“All day long.”
“Would you mind going to church with me tomorrow? Amanda invited me to come with them, but it might be nice if you joined us, too, and then we can go to your house from there.”
Tug paused. “I haven’t been to church in a long while.”
“Oh?” She looked disappointed. “It’s okay. I just thought I’d suggest—”
“I’ll go with you,” he quickly added.
She beamed. “Thank you. And for the record, it’s been a long while since I’ve been too.”
Paul walked in carrying a stack of tarps. As he handed them to Fisher, he glanced back and caught sight of them. “Hey, Tug, didn’t expect to see you here. Hi, Rosemary.”
“Thanks for lending me the tarps,” Fisher said to Paul. “This will really help.”
“I had a bunch. You’re welcome to borrow them as long as you need them.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” Fisher started unfolding one of them.
“Don’t know about that, but happy to help.” Paul walked over and stood next to Tug. “Y’all been here long? Everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine,” Tug said.
“I was just leaving,” Rosemary said. “Good to see you, Paul. Tug, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Paul elbowed Tug in the side as Rosemary walked away. “Tomorrow?”
“Stop it.” Tug edged away from him.
Fisher raced down the bar toward them. “She was flirting with him. Tug, you like her, don’t you?”
“I don’t like anybody, or I like everybody,” he said. “It’s not like that.”
Paul’s smile was crooked. “Well, you sure seem flustered for a guy not interested. Just saying.”
“You two are acting like teenagers. She’s a nice lady in town for a short visit. End of story.”
Paul had one of those condescending whatever-you-say looks on his face. “Okay, I’m just saying—”
“And, Paul, you are the last person who should be doling out relationship advice. When are you going to finally make things official with Amanda?”
“I love her. You know that.”
“I mean marry the woman. Why not ask her to marry you? Those kids deserve to have a traditional family around them, and you two are committed to each other. I don’t know what’s holding you back.”
“How did this suddenly become about me? You’re projecting your stuff on me.”
“Because Amanda is a fine woman and a wonderful mother and she loves you. Don’t let that slip away.”
“We’re totally committed to each other.”
“Well, technically, until you’re married, you’re not totally committed,” Fisher said.
Paul dropped onto a stool. “Honestly, I bought a ring months ago. I want to ask her so badly, but I don’t want to rush her.”
“Don’t want to lose her, either, do you?” Tug looked him right in the eye, no laughing or nudging. “She is not going to say no.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I know,” Tug said. “I think especially after seeing how you two being apart because of the hurricane affected each of you and Hailey and Jesse, it’s time to do something about it.”
Paul looked nervous. “I hated being separated from her. I don’t ever want to go through that again.”
“Enough said.” Tug tapped his hand on the bar. “So, why are you arguing with me?”
“Mostly because you’re trying to keep the conversation off of you and the pretty new girl in town, I believe,” Paul said. “But I’m going to let you get away with it, because you’re right.”
Tug patted him on the back. “And you are deflecting. We were talking about you.”
“I’ve been worried about you,” Paul said thoughtfully.
“Don’t you worry about me. You need to quit pussyfooting around and take action.”
“I know you’re talking about Amanda again, but be careful. I might start with you.”
Tug leaned back. “Oh, well, I don’t need your help.”
“Sure you do. Friends—and we’re more like family—it’s what we do. We lift each other up when the going gets tough, and that rubble up the road—well, it breaks my heart too.” Paul’s brows pulled together. “Losing Tug’s Diner is a loss for the whole town.”
Tug stood and hugged him. “Thank you.” He clapped his hand against Paul’s shoulder. “I’ve got some decisions to make.”
Fisher tossed a bar towel over his shoulder and walked around the bar, inserting himself into the hug.
Tug looked at Paul and they laughed. Fisher was nothing if not driven by the mood of any given moment. That kid should’ve been born a few decades earlier, because peace, love, and beach waves were definitely Fisher’s mojo.
“We will rise again,” Fisher said with a fist in the air.
“Life will go on,” Tug said. “I guess I should give up my stool. I haven’t made much progress in any direction except for increasing my vitamin C from all the limeades I sipped on. I probably owe you a whole jar of maraschino cherries.”
“Yeah, the garnish tray is looking pitiful,” Fisher teased. “Kidding. It’s pitiful because I didn’t stock it. Wasn’t sure anyone would even come with no walls, but there you were. Tug to the rescue. It gives me hope.”
“I’ll be honest. I kind of think the open-air vibe is working. You could always put up some of those drop-down sides for inclement weather with the insurance money instead of the rebuild.”
“Dude, that’s a great idea.” Fisher looked around, framing his hands like a director might envision a scene. “I can see it.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Tug walked out with Paul by his side.
“Why don’t you come over and talk while I run the dogs through their trials tonight?”
Tug admired Paul’s work with the retired military working dogs. And the way he’d taken a growing problem in America—abandoned box stores—and repurposed them was genius. Rather than try to expand on his own, he’d checked his ego at the door and created a franchise opportunity for veterans to help build them faster across the country.
“You’ve got plenty on your mind too. Why don’t you think about what I already said to you tonight? And don’t forget to ask the kids first and include them in the proposal. They’ll love it. They love you, Paul. You are a good, strong anchor for them. It’s time you lived as a family too.”
“There you go deflecting again.”
“Well, I had a kind offer from a pretty lady who seems to think she can help me figure out my next steps.”
“Rosemary?”
“Yes, best thing that storm blew in.”
Paul laughed. “I knew it. She’s nice.”
“She is.”
“You like her.”
“I won’t lie. It’s nice being around her.” He caught the uptick of his heart, and that made him smile. “She’s so effervescent.”
“Effervescent?” Paul could hardly keep a straight face. “That’s a vibrant Scrabble word. You’re looking a little effervescent just talking about her.”
“Oh, stop. I’ve got to get all the things together for my famous lasagna tomorrow. I’m meeting her at church. Then we’re going to spend some time in my kitchen cooking it up, and, well, I suppose she’ll be making me think about things. But at least in the kitchen, cooking, it won’t feel so much like wallowing in pity.”
“I’m glad you’re coming to church. We’ve missed you there.”
He hadn’t been in a long time. When Maeve first left town, he’d still gone faithfully every Sunday, and even when she passed, he’d continued, but by the time Christmas came around, he was unable to keep his focus on the sermon. The many years he and Maeve sat in that church together were crushing in on him. It wouldn’t be easy going back tomorrow, but it was time, and right now he needed to focus on what mattered.
“You said you already have a ring for Amanda?”
“I do.”
“Might tuck it in your pocket and bring it over tomorrow night. I’ll invite all of you to dinner. Could be a romantic way to propose on my deck overlooking the ocean, and no doubt the kids would remember it forever. And The Wife will probably say something charming, as she does.”
“She’s an unpredictable one, isn’t she? I just hope she doesn’t scream ‘No’ or ‘Don’t do it’ before I get the words out. Or what if The Wife laughs like a nut? She does that.”
“Ha! She does. I hadn’t thought of that. It could happen, but hey, it would be a good icebreaker. Tell you what—I’ll put a crisp hundred-dollar bill on The Wife saying something positive, like ‘I love you,’ or wolf-whistling.”
“I’m not sure the wolf whistle equates to a yes.”
“I guess you’ll have to find out. Maybe come up with a comeback in case The Wife laughs. That is her go-to when she doesn’t know what to say. Maybe something like ‘See, even she thought we were already married. We’re so perfect together.’ I don’t know—just do it already.” He opened the door to the minivan. “And bring the kids into the loop. The sooner, the better. It’s a big step for them. They deserve to be part of it.”
“Yes, sir,” Paul said.
Tug got in the van and started it up as Paul climbed into his truck.
Propose to her, my friend. Don’t make the mistakes I’ve made, or you’ll end up one lonely old man, and that ain’t no picnic.