All That Jazz (Butler Cove #1)(55)

Keri Ann clapped her hands. “Guys,” she called. “I think it’s time for her present.”

“What did you do?” I asked her warningly.

“Just wait.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement and she bit her lip.

Cooper walked around the table and handed me an envelope. It looked like it was a birthday card, but there was something inside it. I took it and looked nervously around at everyone because they were all grinning like lunatics.

Even Woody and Harry had walked over.

I opened the envelope and pulled out the card. Opening it, a key fell out. A car key. I held it up. “What on earth?”

“The VW Bug,” said Cooper. “It’s yours.”

I gasped. “What?”

“Yep, so remember I told you the guy didn’t want to pay for the new transmission? Well, he ended up signing the car over to the shop. Well, we all clubbed together and paid for the cost of the transmission as payment to buy it back from the shop. And so, we bought you a car.” He shrugged. “It’s parked in the front lot.”

“She’s speechless,” said Woody and guffawed. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Are you serious?” I whispered.

“Yeah. We all signed the card. Anyway, it could be a lemon. But I promise I’ll work on it if it ever needs fixing.”

I grabbed Cooper and squeezed him hard. “Thank you,” I said. I was tearing up again. Jeez. I spent the next little while moving around the table to each person, hugging and thanking them, including Woody and Harry who had both contributed. Reading the card, I learned I’d also be thanking my mom, Nana, Mrs. Weaton her neighbor, and even Paulie from The Snapper Grill.





I’D HAD WINE earlier, so I had to wait a few hours for it to wear off. But before everyone started for home, we all moved to the parking lot for our good-byes, and I got behind the wheel of the VW Bug. Keri Ann jumped into the passenger seat.

“When was the last time you drove?” she asked nervously.

“Ha,” I responded. “That’s my worry too. Not much since our learners. Mom always has her car and it’s been easier to bike.”

“I know,” she said. “I’d feel the same. And now you have an audience. Eek.”

My own car. I couldn’t believe it. I started it up, moving immediately into first gear. Luckily, I’d learned how to drive in a stick shift car. I rolled forward and turned out of the parking space, and everyone cheered and clapped.

“So far, so good,” I muttered and eased into second, making it without lurching the car.

“Cool. Just stay in second and bring this baby home. I’ll come over tomorrow so you can practice.”

I did just that, turning at the end of the row and driving slowly back to where we started. “Thank you so much for organizing this, K. Tonight could have—”

“Really sucked. I know.”

“Yeah,” I said. I thought briefly of telling her about the letter, but it was late and I might get emotional again. “Thank you for being the best friend a girl could have,” I said instead as we pulled into the parking space and I shut off the engine. “And for having a hot brother who’s been doing a fine job of keeping me distracted.”

Keri Ann gagged loudly.

I chuckled.

“But, be careful, okay?” she said in a serious tone.

“I will. I have my eyes open.”

“Good,” she said and we got out to say good-bye to everyone.

I really wanted Joey to stay, but I knew he had to ride home with Keri Ann since it was pitch o’clock at night.

I needed to go see about the package Woody had mentioned anyway. I wondered if Mom had ordered something for me. We’d been talking about maybe getting one of those small laptops I could take to class. I’d left for work before she got up this morning, and I’d barely been home.

Woody was wiping down the bar when I got back.

“Thank you for a lovely evening, Woody,” I told him.

“It’s been a pleasure watching you grow up, girl. Happy to do it. So you like the car?”

I smiled at him and clapped my hands together. “Absolutely, fantastic. It’s amazing, thank you for being part of that too.”

“You’ve got some great friends.” He leaned down and pulled a box wrapped in brown paper out with both hands. “Almost forgot,” he said. “This came for you from New York.”

My heart thumped heavily, swimming with equal parts anticipation and dread.

I took the box and read the sender’s address. It was the same one I used to send mail to my dad. Oh, thank God! If he was sending me a birthday gift then he was okay. Relief made me lightheaded, and I took the box to one of the tables and sat down. Ripping the paper off revealed a regular packing box with a letter taped to the front. A photo dropped out the envelope as soon as I opened it. It was me as a small chubby girl wearing a pink frilly swimsuit, a snorkel perched on my head, and wearing my pink glitter cowgirl boots. I gave a startled laugh.

Damn, I was a cute little girl. I set it aside and opened the letter.



Dear Jessica ~

You don’t know me, but I used to work for the magazine that commissioned your father’s work. Your father and I were friends for a long time, and as you know, for years he used this address for correspondence. I’m so very sorry for your loss. It was a terrible blow to hear that the world had lost such a special soul. Your father was an amazing and talented man, and an even better friend.