If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(23)

When he entered the restaurant, he was relieved to see that his dad and his friends had left, and Mia and Ashlyn were finishing up their lunch.

"I asked the waitress to keep your lunch warm," Mia told him with a sympathetic smile.

"Thanks."

She motioned to the cheerful middle-aged woman named Connie who had taken their order, and a moment later he had a burger and fries in front of him.

"This place has great food," Mia continued. "Ashlyn enjoyed her meal."

He was surprised to see that Ashlyn had actually eaten almost her entire burger. Maybe her appetite was starting to come back.

"Your dad left right after you did," Mia added. "He didn't speak to us again, in case you were wondering."

"Good."

"You said your dad is a fisherman?"

"That's right," he said, biting into his burger. "He goes out every day before dawn."

"Did he teach you how to fish?"

"He tried. I didn't care for it. It's too slow, and there are too many variables out of my control."

"But there is still a battle between man and fish. Surely, that would appeal to your competitive instincts?" she teased.

"The few seconds when the fish takes the bait, and I try to reel him in, is the only exciting part. The minutes and hours in between I always found incredibly boring."

"What about your mom? Did she work before she died?"

"She was an elementary school teacher here in Angel's Bay. Her classroom was her second home. Every August, she'd take me to school and we'd hang mobiles and posters and alphabet letters to get ready for the first-graders coming in for the next year. She was a wonderful person."

"You must take after her."

"I would prefer that over my father, but the truth is I'm probably somewhere between both of them."

"You got the best of each."

"That would be better than the worst."

She smiled. "I'm going to use the restroom. Ashlyn, do you want to go with me?"

Ashlyn nodded and stood up, taking Mia's hand as they walked across the restaurant.

While they were in the restroom, he quickly finished his meal. He'd no sooner put the last bite in his mouth when Kent entered the café.

Kent wasn't in uniform today. Wearing faded jeans and a T-shirt, he looked much more like the guy Jeremy had grown up with. Kent stopped at the counter to order a roast beef sandwich to go, teasing Dina into giving him extra beef, and then headed over to Jeremy's table.

"Hey. Where's your better half?" Kent asked, grabbing one of the three empty chairs at the table.

"In the restroom."

"I'm glad I ran into you. I've got good news. Barton is going to be in town tomorrow."

"Really? Why?"

Kent grinned. "He says it's his mom's birthday, but I think he wants to check up on you."

"I'm fine." He had mixed feelings about Craig Barton, his high school buddy and fellow Delta Force soldier, coming to Angel's Bay. It was one thing to hang out with Kent, who'd left the service a year ago and had another life now, but another thing to spend time with Barton, who was doing exactly what Jeremy wanted to do and might not ever be able to do again.

"How's the shoulder?" Kent asked, a speculative gleam in his eyes.

"Better than yesterday," he lied.

"That's good. Have you thought any more about my suggestion?"

"I'm not going to be a cop in Angel's Bay."

"There are worse things."

"Like dying of boredom?"

"We have crime here."

"Stolen bicycles and bar fights."

"It's not the big city, but there's still a need for a strong police force. We've had more serious problems to deal with than you might think, and I believe you'd fit in quite well. I know you want to save the world, but you've got a daughter to think about now. Plus, you're not getting any younger."

"Younger than you."

"By two months," Kent retorted. "I want you to meet some of the guys I work with. A bunch of us are going to Murray's Bar tomorrow night to shoot some pool. You should join us."

"I've got Ashlyn."

"I thought Mrs. Danbury said she'd be happy to babysit for you."

"That's for when I go to therapy."

"A night out would be good therapy for you. Seriously, when's the last time you just had a beer in your hand and no worries in your head?"

He couldn't remember the last time.

"Just think about it," Kent added. "If Barton gets here in the afternoon, I'll make him come, too."

"I'll have to let you know."

"We'll be there around seven."

As Kent finished speaking, Mia and Ashlyn returned to the table.

Ashlyn hid behind Mia when she saw Kent. Kent had met Ashlyn the first day they'd arrived in Angel's Bay, but she either didn't remember him or just felt shy and awkward. Mia, however, greeted Kent with her usual friendly smile.

"Hello," Mia said. "I'm Mia Callaway."

"Kent Palmer," he said, reaching across the table to shake her hand.