Chapter 19 Make Something Of It
MAKE SOMETHING OF IT
“It’s a little slow today,” his grandmother said to him the next day.
“Early in the week it normally is for lunch. Do you think I should close down for lunch on Monday and Tuesday and just do dinner?”
“Nope,” his grandmother said. “It’s always been like this. You need to start running more specials. Tuesday tacos at a low price. Something like that.”
“I’m not going to run the same specials the previous owners did. I’m doing better than them already.”
“I didn’t say do it exactly. Just think of something.
Make it catchy. Or do something monthly.
I’m not sure. Come up with something and get people in here that way.
It might only bring a few in for lunch but more for dinner.
I’ll adjust the scheduling just the same.
I can cover tables with one server at lunch if this keeps up. ”
“No,” he said. “I don’t want you waiting on tables.”
His grandmother had come behind the bar to talk to him. There were only three people at the other end having a drink and some food. Five tables had customers at them.
It was one thirty, so the bulk of the lunch crowd came and went, with a few more just shuffling in.
“Then maybe you should take some more time off. I can cover the bar while I watch the hostess stand along with whoever is waiting tables. We don’t need as many staff,” she said.
“Which is funny considering Taryn keeps calling in sick and leaving me short.”
“I’m going to schedule her one day a week now and make sure it’s on a day that you aren’t at the firehouse. You need to take a bit more time off when we are slower. Spend time with your girlfriend.”
He sighed. His grandmother had been good enough not to mention it, though he knew she saw right through him. Jocelyn wasn’t just a regular who liked the food, she was the reason he checked the door every night.
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder if you want to make something of it.”
“I’m not sure yet what or where we are. It’s early yet.”
And since Jocelyn had never once hinted that she was telling her family about him, or whatever it was they had, and always chose out-of-the-way places when they went out, he didn’t see the point in involving his grandmother either.
“The fact you’re even thinking of it being early and that it could be something is more than you have in the past.”
Which wasn’t false.
“Shit,” he said.
“What?”
“I’m pretty sure Jocelyn’s parents just walked in. That’s Jim McCarthy and the woman with him looks like an older version of Jocelyn.”
His grandmother laughed. “Yep, that’s who was with Jocelyn a few weeks ago. I’ve got this. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t say anything,” he growled low. “I don’t need her ticked at me.”
His grandmother nudged his arm. “And that right there gave me a lot more than words could have.”
He rolled his eyes. His grandmother found a way to get information even when he was holding it back.
Since the place wasn’t that big and he had a good line of sight, he could hear his grandmother welcoming them to the place and asking if they’d been here before.
He knew damn well his grandmother recognized Stacy McCarthy from being with Jocelyn weeks ago.
Hell, it could have been a month ago at this point. It’d been over a month since he’d seen her again but didn’t know the exact time they got into each other’s personal space verbally. Sexually, it’d been a few weeks.
Jim and Stacy walked closer to the bar. He thought they were going to a table right by the bar, but they pulled out two high back chairs in front of him and took a seat.
“Jim,” he said, moving the three feet closer with his hand out. “Good to see you outside my other work.”
“Chance. This is my wife, Stacy. She was here before with Jocelyn. Loved the food and wanted to come back. You might have yourself a couple of regulars now.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said, grabbing menus. “I’m assuming you want some food or just a drink?”
“Food,” Stacy said, reaching for the menu, then shaking his hand. Firm like her daughter’s was. Looking him over the way Jocelyn did too. Like she was watching and waiting for something.
“What can I get you both to drink?”
“I’ll take number five on tap,” Jim said.
“A ginger ale,” Stacy said.
He almost slipped and said just like Jocelyn.
Since the menus were now closed when he handed over their drinks he asked if they were ready to order.
“My wife won’t cook me bacon, so I’m going with the bacon burger with extra bacon and fries,” Jim said.
Stacy pushed her elbow into her husband’s playfully. Just like Jocelyn did to him when they joked with each other.
“I’ll take a chopped salad so that I can feel as if I’m doing something healthy between the two of us. The house dressing is good.”
He took the menus back and walked over to the computer to put the order in. “Shouldn’t be too long,” he said.
He went back to the other end of the bar to check on those customers, then filled a few orders that were brought over with two more tables being filled.
When he got closer to the sink, he saw his phone light up. He kept it hidden back there but could glance at it as he walked by if there was something.
He tapped the screen to see what it was and saw the text from Jocelyn asking how his day was going.
He picked it up to reply. Moving toward the end of the bar, he turned his back as if he was looking at something on the back and clicked a picture of her parents in the background, then sent it to see if she’d notice. He only put a caption with: half my bar filled.
His phone was buzzing a second later with a shocked face: I’m going to kill my mother!
He laughed. Did you know they’d be here?
No! She’s been super nosy and someone saw us out on Sunday. She’s putting things together.
He didn’t know what that meant and since someone walked up to the bar for a drink, he put his phone away. He’d have to talk with her about it later.
When Jim and Stacy’s food was ready, he walked to the back to get it and bring out, setting it down in front of them.
“Can I get you another drink?”
“I’m good,” Stacy said.
“I’ll take another beer soon,” Jim said.
“The same? I’ll keep an eye when you’re empty.”
“Yep,” Jim said, picking up his burger and diving in with a big grin.
Chance nodded and went back to work. There was a huge part of him that wanted to stay close by and see what they were saying to each other, the other part not sure if it’d make him feel all that great.
Jim was acting like he always did, so he couldn’t be upset over anything…if they even knew about him and Jocelyn. Unless Stacy didn’t tell her husband her suspicions.
He didn’t know why he was so bothered over this when he’d never been before.
When he noticed Jim’s beer gone five minutes later, he had another filled and placed down. He filled a glass of water and put it next to Stacy’s. Her ginger ale was almost gone, but she’d said she didn’t want another drink.
“Thank you,” Stacy said. “I was just going to ask for that. It’s as if you read my mind.”
“I’ve learned to read people,” he said.
Stacy’s eyes crinkled at the corners as a small smirk filled her face. “That’s a great trait to have. I think it might come in handy with certain people.”
It was the roll of Jim’s eyes and Stacy’s quiet laugh that told him he and Jocelyn were somehow caught.
“You’re not obvious at all,” Jim said when they were walking to her car.
“Why should I be? Neither is Jocelyn. I’m pretty sure he’s onto why we were there.”
“He’s not stupid,” Jim said. Stacy got behind the wheel and started the car and then pulled out. “Don’t be surprised if Jocelyn confronts you when we get back. Sure you don’t want me to bring you home instead?”
“I’m not afraid of my daughter. And it was nice of Chance to not charge us for lunch.”
“He’s a nice guy,” Jim said.
“Unless he was trying to suck up.”
“He’s not the type. I’m sure it has more to do with our working relationship than anything else.”
“Men,” she said, waving her hand. “You always think those things.”
“Because we aren’t looking for hidden meanings all the time. What did you think of him? Do you feel better now?”
“He’s very handsome.”
“Hey,” Jim said.
“I’m being honest,” she argued. “You asked and I answered. I can see what the draw might be for Jocelyn.”
“The complete opposite of Victor and other men she’s dated for a while. But like I said, a combination of Jack in looks and maybe career in a way, but not personality.”
“I can see what you mean, but it’s hard to get that in a thirty-minute visit.”
She had to admit she had been impressed with the place before, but watching Chance work, she noticed he had his eye on everything going on and could do it without prompting.
Jocelyn would appreciate that efficiency.
“You got enough,” Jim said.
“Are you going to let Grant and Garrett know what we’ve found out?”
“We have found nothing out for sure. I’m not bringing other people in until we know.”
But the minute they walked into the office, Jocelyn was standing there with her arms crossed, her foot tapping, a scowl on her face.
“In my office now, Mom.”
“You were caught,” Jim said. “Told you not to be so obvious, but you don’t listen.”
“You too, Dad, for that comment. It means you’re both in on it.”
She elbowed her husband like she had at the bar and the two of them laughed but followed their daughter down the hall.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your summons?” she asked Jocelyn.
“You went to have lunch to see Chance.”
“So you’re admitting you’re seeing him?” she asked.
“I never said I wasn’t seeing someone. I told you it was new and I never talk about it this soon. How did you figure it out?”
“The Fierces want to match you two up,” Jim said.
“Why would you tell her that?” Stacy asked, throwing her hands up. “Now Jocelyn will walk away.”
“No,” Jocelyn said. “I won’t. Do you think I’m na?ve? I saw how Grant and Garrett watched Chance and I talking to each other that one day. I don’t need interference. I don’t think Chance knows anything about what they do. You need to tell them to back off.”
This was much more serious than she realized if Jocelyn was nervous over that.
“It’s hard to tell them no,” Stacy said. “They do what they want, but they aren’t overbearing about it.”
“Like my mother is?” Jocelyn asked.
“Did Chance text you we were there?” she asked.
“He sent me a picture.”
She frowned. “I didn’t see him take the picture.”
“He took it at the other end of the bar and had his camera hidden in front of him. You were in the background and he angled it. He didn’t know what was going on.”
“Was he mad?” she asked.
“Now you care?”
“Why haven’t you told us?” Jim asked. “You know I know Chance.”
“Because I’m not sure what you think of him.”
“He’s a good guy. Should I think otherwise?” Jim asked.
“No. He is. But I don’t always think he thinks that.” Jocelyn waved her hand. “Never mind. Please, can you just let us handle this on our own? Nothing more. No one needs to know.”
“The cat is kind of out of the bag now with the way you’re reacting.”
“What’s going on in here?” Gabe asked, opening Jocelyn’s door. “I can hear the yelling in my office.”
“Your sister is dating Chance Drummond,” Jim said. “And your mother got pushy and wanted to go see him at the pub and she was caught being sneaky.”
“You went with me,” Stacy argued.
“Wow. Grant and Garrett got to you too,” Gabe said, shaking his head. “I missed this one. I mean I knew it, but didn’t realize it was working.”
“You knew?” Stacy and Jocelyn asked at the same time.
“What’s the big deal?” Gabe asked. “Royce and I noticed how they were looking at the two of you. It was all over their faces. Just didn’t know how they were going to pull it off.”
“They haven’t,” Jocelyn said. “Nothing. They know nothing about this and haven’t said a word to me. This is all me and Chance just running into each other again.”
“Like me and Elise,” Gabe said. “Do your own thing, but if you’re up front and tell them you’re on to them and know they want to help but want to do it on your own, they will respect it.”
Stacy watched Jocelyn’s facial expressions.
From frustration to annoyance and finally acceptance.
“I’ll deal with it when or if I see them again. But now I’ll have to tell Chance and I’m not sure I want to do that. I don’t know how he’ll react.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Because to him this is fun and I’m okay with it. For now.” Jocelyn put her hand up. “Before you say another word that I don’t want to hear, we are going to do it on our own, so please respect it.”
When her daughter threw Gabe’s words back, they had no choice but to listen.