11
Tuesday night, the local burger joint brimmed with patrons. Every booth was taken. Guys watched football replays while a few women chatted under the ice-skating competition. Wade perched on a tall black bar stool at a corner table. His large frame craved a padded back rest and flooring under both of his boots. The steel rung of the stool caused an ache in his calf while the aroma of fry grease and grilled meat made his stomach growl.
Cole approached with a plate of wings. His expression rivaled a kid at their first stock car race. This outing should be a fun time between brothers, and it could be if only Emma’s words hadn’t been playing on a loop inside of his brain. Had he held Cole somewhat responsible for all the recent challenges in his life? He didn’t want to reveal his past anger toward his little brother, but God wrestled with his conscience. He felt compelled to fess up about the misplaced blame and start with a clean slate. Cole was active in the family business again, and Wade needed to clear the air. He prayed Cole would accept his apology and forgive his big brother’s abysmal attitude.
His brother set the plate of wings in the center of the round table. Two smaller dishes sat near the edge with a pile of napkins. The harried waitress had dropped them off when she brought their drinks.
Wade breathed in the aroma of peppers and brown sugar. At least he and Cole agreed on wing sauces. Honey Sriracha and Buffalo.
“I won’t tell mom you ordered a full plate of wings after eating her casserole.”
Cole plopped on his stool. He looked as amped as the kids in the sports team pictures hanging on the wooden planked wall. “Hey, it’s not every day my brother invites me out and pays the bill.” Cole rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been waiting for an invite for twenty-seven years.”
“Oh, come on.” His brother liked to exaggerate. Though, a quick mind scan couldn’t recall a time he and Cole went out socially of late. Was it an exaggeration? Had to be. “I included you.”
“Since when did the Homecoming King want his eighth-grade brother around?” Cole shoveled three wings onto his plate and licked his fingers. “I’ll take it now, though. But I can’t help being a little suspicious about the reason.”
“Do I need a reason?” Wade sipped his cola and had to work to get the liquid through his straw-thin throat. “I wanted to clear the air before you left tomorrow.”
“The air’s clear where I’m sitting.” Cole prayed over their food and dove right into his second dinner.
Why did Cole have to be so glib? Couldn’t he stop stuffing his face long enough to consider there may be something Wade needed to get off of his chest. They were both part of the family business again, and Wade still needed a doctor’s note to participate fully. Not to mention, Cole had unleashed a tornado named Emma who played psychologist for the office while improving Wade’s physical therapy.
He grabbed another wing before Cole inhaled the whole order.
“It’s…well…Emma mentioned—”
“Hah! I knew it.” Sauce seeped into the corners of Cole’s mouth. “I knew Emma would grow on you.”
What was his brother babbling about? Donoven and Sons was an electrical company, not a greenhouse or dating service.
“She’s not growing on me.” He bit off a hunk of chicken and let the sauce sizzle on his tongue. “Emma blurts out what she’s thinking about life and work. Something about not having a filter.”
“Sounds like Emma.” Cole’s stupid grin returned. “It can be annoying until you get used to it. Then, it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal unless you’re accused of harboring anger in your heart and hurting the relationship with your only brother.” He regurgitated Emma’s accusation and waited for Cole’s reaction. Would Cole be curious about his confession or keep stuffing his mouth? His brother was a sharp guy, but sometimes he stalled and acted oblivious.
“You like her.” Cole held a half-eaten wing across the table. “Admit it.”
“What? No.” Hadn’t Cole listened? His brother needed to open his ears and respond. A little chewing might help. This was one of the worst mistakes of Wade’s life. He should never have listened to Emma. Note to self. Her psychotherapy was best nipped in the bud. “I’m stuck in the office with her. Someone has to train her in day-to-day stuff. We were talking, and something I said made her accuse me of holding onto anger.”
“About your accident?” Cole’s mouth gaped and not for another bite of chicken. Finally, his brother had focused.
Man, he hoped honesty was the best insurance policy because he didn’t want to be at odds with his brother again.
“She suggested that I was angry toward you.” He wiped his hands on his napkin and waited for the reaction or retaliation.
“Me?” Restaurant noise accompanied Cole’s shock. “I wasn’t in Nashville or even working for dad when you had the accident.”
“I know.” He curled his toes in his boot and prayed his words would bring healing. “I was mad about the way you left the company. When I had the accident, it was easier to lump all my anger together and blame you. Thinking you might have taken the Sunday service call. If you had, then I wouldn’t be injured.” Voicing the thought made him realize how heartless he’d been.
“So, I’d have had the crash instead of you.” Cole leaned against the back of the stool. His expression emptied as his gaze studied a replay of last weekend’s game.
“Maybe.” He gave his brother credit for sitting calmly and not lashing out. “I’m sorry for even thinking it.” Truly, he never wanted to see his brother harmed.
A vision of Emma and her mason jar flashed through his memory. He’d apologized more in the last few days than he had in the last few years. “I’d never wish my injuries, pain, and recovery on you. Or anyone.” How could he have been so petty? His stomach ached and not from the Nashville Hot appetizer. “I love you, bro.” Eyes tingling, he swiped his cheek. “When you left the business because of your old girlfriend, I got mad and never let go of the bitterness. I want it gone, now. You’ve really stepped up in a big way. Can you forgive me?”
Cole slumped as if Wade’s baggage weighed on his spirit. “Wow. All this from one conversation with Emma?” Cole scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I had the anger thing going, too, when I left the business for my ex. It took Sam to show me how far I had traveled from God and how important my family was in my life. When you asked me to pitch your bid in Sperry’s Crossing, I looked at it as an olive branch. So yeah.” Cole’s eyes grew misty. “Of course, I forgive you. You’ll always be my big brother.”
“Thanks, little bro.” Wade’s whole body became light and carefree like he felt after one of Emma’s hand therapy sessions. For the first time in a while, he was on the same page with Cole, with God, and with the person he had been before the collision. Resentment didn’t distort his thoughts. Why couldn’t he have seen this before? He’d have to thank God for using Emma to open his eyes.
Cole cleared his throat. “I hope we can do more nights like this.”
“Sure, we can go out again.” Wade tempered a huge smile. “But next time, you’re paying.”
Holding up his almost sauce-free hands, his brother flashed a satisfied grin. “No problem. I’ll pull an extra shift here in Nashville to pay for it.” Cole pushed the plate of wings toward him. “Last one is for you. I left a big tip on your card.”
Wade laughed. Thank You, Lord, for little brothers.
He hadn’t always been appreciative of having his younger brother tagging along. He’d left Cole to fend for himself numerous times, but now he readied to embrace the blessing of having a closer relationship.
He bit into the gift of the last wing determined to be a better brother and a better man. A spit-fire stranger had spoken her mind and upended his world. How on earth was he going to deal with Emma and her words of wisdom for several more weeks? His new hire may be nosy, but she was also intuitive, intriguing, and if he wasn’t careful, she’d break free from the friend zone.
~*~
Emma glanced at the clock. The time glowed ten minutes later than the last time she had checked—10:57 PM.
Sam snored softly. Sleep came easily when you didn’t harbor regrets.
Emma didn’t wish insomnia on her friend. Sam had survived breast cancer, a breakup, and the death of their mutual friend Mr. Ted. The relocation from Wisconsin to Tennessee was a speed bump in the road, but it had yielded Sam a new house and a new boyfriend. Now all Sam needed was a teaching position. Emma prayed Sam’s job interview on Thursday would be fruitful.
Tomorrow, Sam and Cole would return to Whispering Creek, leaving Emma at Donoven and Sons Electric as the new office lady. Too bad she had insulted her new boss. Why did she have to accuse Wade of being angry at his brother? She should have kept that under wraps like she did her People Peeps software. Was Wade venting to Cole about her on their brotherly outing?
Rolling onto her side, she faced the bedroom door. She closed her eyes and willed herself to fall asleep. Wade had accepted her apology, so why wouldn’t her brain shut off? She remembered a song from Sunday school about counting one’s blessings. Hopefully listing her blessings would calm her imagination.
She liked helping the Donoven family. Her salary filled her bank account. Tennessee had milder winters.
A scraping sound drew her attention to the door.
Her eyes flew open. Did Linda have mice? An adrenaline streak spiked her insomnia.
She squinted at the thin line of light coming from the hallway. Something was shoved under the door and rested on the carpeting. Was it moving? Thankfully, no.
Curious, she slipped from the comforter to retrieve the object. Bending to get a better look; she knew what it was. A quarter.
Her heart kicked up a notch. Thank You, Jesus! She envisioned dancing around the room, but that might wake Sam.
She gripped the quarter in her fist and punched her arm in the air. Wade’s rough exterior had suffered a few cracks. She had to remind herself that Wade was her boss because when he was honest, and open, and confident, the gauge rose on her attraction meter.
The fact that Wade had valued her advice boosted her beleaguered confidence. The evening with Cole must have gone well, or instead of a quarter, she’d be getting a pink slip.