Ryder was half-asleep when he walked into Fresh Brew to get a to-go coffee to bring into the restaurant. He stopped short when he saw a sight that he’d never seen before—his mother with a man that wasn’t his father. It had been nearly ten years since they’d lost his father to a massive heart attack and his mother hadn’t dated anyone or shown any interest in dating at all since. And now she was sitting and having coffee with Harry Peterman. They were laughing and so lost in their conversation that they didn’t even notice him. He watched them curiously as he paid for his coffee and then had to walk right by them again on his way out.

This time his mother saw him and he hadn’t seen her so happy in a long, long time.

“Ryder, come meet Harry!”

He stopped by their table and nodded. “Nice to see you again, Harry.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that the two of you already met. Harry’s moved back to Quinn Valley. Isn’t that marvelous?”

“Sure, that’s great. Where did you move from?”

“Hollywood. I worked in the movie business for many years. Still do actually, but now that everything is digital, I can do a lot of my work remotely.”

“Harry is a film editor. He has a fancy studio at his house.”

“You’ve seen it?” Ryder wasn’t sure how he felt about his mother going to a strange man’s house. Though he realized that Harry wasn’t a stranger to her.

“No, not yet. But I will tonight. Harry’s having me over for dinner. We have so much to catch up on.”

“I’m not much of a cook, but I can order a mean pizza,” Harry said.

“I love pizza.” His mother was a little too enthusiastic for his liking.

“I have to get going. Have fun you two.”

When he reached Quinn’s he saw that Bethany’s car was already there. And when he walked in the kitchen to say hello, she was behind the line, making pie crust. She looked as exhausted as he felt.

“How’s your mother doing?” he asked.

“Much better. I think she slept better than I did. I made her a smoothie and a spinach omelet before I left.”

“For the iron?”

“Yes. I know it’s silly as the transfusion took care of the anemia, but I figure it can’t hurt to have her eat iron-rich foods too. Speaking of mothers, I haven’t seen yours yet. She’s usually here soon after I get in.”

“I ran into her at the coffee shop. With a man.” He told her about Harry Peterman and how he’d stopped by the restaurant a few days ago hoping to see his mother.”

“And they were high school sweethearts before she met your father? How romantic that they’d find their way back to each other after all this time.”

“I suppose. I just want her to be happy.” He frowned. “I thought she was done with all that.”

Bethany gave him a look. “With all what?”

“You know, romance.”

She laughed. “Your mother is still young. I think it would be great if she could find love again.”

His mother in love again. Ryder couldn’t picture it.

“I’ll be in my office, holler if you need anything.”

Bethany had several cups of coffee throughout the day, hoping a second wind would kick in. She’d gotten to bed so late the night before and slept badly. Fortunately the restaurant was too busy for her to think about how tired she was. And just before the dinner service, the caffeine finally kicked in and the next few hours flew by. She finished up at about a quarter to eight and when she left the kitchen and was going to head out the front door, Ryder waved her over. He was sitting at the bar chatting with Maggie.

“Have a quick drink with me?” He had a freshly poured beer in front of him and it suddenly looked good. Or maybe he looked good, who was she fooling?

“Okay, just one though.” Maggie started pouring the chardonnay that she liked and set it down on the bar as Bethany settled into her seat.

“You always get the same thing, so I figured I was safe with this.” Maggie smiled and Bethany sensed that her iciness was beginning to thaw. She liked friendly Maggie much more.

“Thank you.”

“I was just telling Maggie about Mom and Harry.”

“She hasn’t been in at all today. That’s a first,” Maggie said.

“I’m happy for her.” Bethany was curious to see how Maggie felt.

“Hmmmm. He didn’t look like he belonged around here. How do we know he’ll stick around?”

“We don’t. But if he breaks our mother’s heart, I’ll just have to kill him.” Ryder spoke with such seriousness that Bethany and Maggie stared at him until he started laughing and they joined in.

“It would be great for her if she found someone. She’s still young,” Maggie said.

“That’s what I said earlier too,” Bethany agreed.

“I have to run to the ladies room for a minute. Ryder can you keep an eye on the bar for me?”

“Sure thing.”

As Bethany took a sip of wine a well-dressed couple walked in and took seats at the bar. She couldn’t place him, but the man looked vaguely familiar. She noticed Ryder stiffen before he stood and went behind the bar to take their drink order. When he came back her way to pour a draft beer, his eyes were cold and his jaw was clenched. She glanced at the couple. The man was dark-haired and in a suit and the woman with him was in a stylish suit too. She was petite and blonde, with long, feathery hair and a huge diamond engagement ring. It sparkled when the overhead light hit it.

“That’s Jason. The one that broke Maggie’s heart. And he’s already engaged to someone else,” he said softly when he came back to Bethany’s end of the bar.

“Oh no!” Her heart went out to Maggie.

A moment later, Maggie returned to the bar, with a smile on her face, until Ryder pulled her aside and warned her. Her face turned ashen. He said something else, and she nodded. But first she walked over to Jason and his fiancé.

“Hello Jason. It’s nice to see you. My shift is just ending, but I wanted to say hi first. I see congratulations are in order.”

Jason at least looked somewhat uncomfortable. “Hi Maggie, I didn’t even think that you might be on the bar. We’re meeting some friends and got here a little early. This is Tiffany. She works with me at the bank.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Tiffany’s voice was high pitched and annoying.

“Well, enjoy your evening.” Maggie turned and left and when she glanced over at Ryder and Bethany, she looked on the verge of tears. She nodded at both of them and grabbed her purse from under the bar.

“Thanks, Ryder. I owe you.”

She disappeared into the kitchen which led out to the back parking lot as Ryder let out a heavy sigh. “I told her to just go, that I’d cover the rest of her shift tonight. Poor kid.”

“Is she still hung up on him?” Bethany asked.

“No, I really don’t think she is. But I knew the shock of seeing him here with his new finance would be too much for her. She doesn’t need to wait on them. Not while I’m here.”

She smiled. He was a great big brother.

“She’s lucky to have you.”

He shook his head and reached for his beer. “I’d do the same for anyone in these circumstances.” He turned as a crowd of guys came in and lined up at the bar. Bethany took her last sip of wine and put it in the bar dishwasher.

“I’m going to head out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”