Molly came into Hunter’s office and shut the door behind her.
“Not you, too,” Hunter said.
“I haven’t come to pile on.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I have a suggestion.”
“I’m listening.”
“Get in the car and drive. Go off without a plan and see where the road takes you.”
Hunter tugged at his collar, which suddenly felt tight and restrictive. “That’s not how I roll.”
“Oh, I know,” she said, laughing, “but it’s also not at all like you to tell your siblings you have a date and are conflicted about where to take her.”
Hunter sat in his chair and let out a deep breath. “True. Nothing about this is typical.”
A satisfied smile stretched across his mother’s face.
“What?”
“It’s just nice to see, that’s all.”
“What’s nice to see?”
She pushed off the door and came around his desk to lean against it. “You, taking a chance on something you can’t fully analyze and dissect ahead of time.”
“I hate that I can’t do that.”
Molly tossed her head back and laughed. “I bet you do.”
“Glad you find it so funny.”
“It’s not funny so much as it is amusing and endearing.” She rearranged his hair the way she had nearly every day of his life growing up. Despite her best efforts, his hair continued to do its own thing. It had been years, decades perhaps, since she’d tried to tame it. “I love seeing you all in knots over a woman.”
“She’s … She’s special. I don’t want to screw it up.”
“She’s very special.”
“You really think so?” Hunter couldn’t believe how desperate he was for his mother’s approval, even though he certainly didn’t need it at his age.
“I really do. I’ll never forget how gracefully she and Nina handled their crushing loss. When they had to be dying inside, they made sure the funeral portrayed the wonderful people Rick and Lori were.”
Needing something to do with all the energy coursing through him, Hunter rubbed at the late-day stubble on his jaw. “I don’t think she’s ever gotten over it.”
“Who would? I’m almost sixty years old and my father is still at the center of my life. The day he isn’t there anymore … Well, I don’t have to tell you.”
“No, you don’t.” The thought of life without Elmer Stillman was like trying to imagine a day without sunshine. “He’s considering buying the diner, you know.”
“He’s what?”
“He’s in discussions to buy the diner.”
“Why?”
“The truth?”
She raised the formidable eyebrow that had kept ten children straight all their lives.
“I think he’s doing it because he knows I’m interested in Megan and wants to keep her in town.”
“Are you shitting me?”
Hunter had a formidable eyebrow of his own that served as his reply.
“That old schemer,” Molly said with a bark of laughter. “He sure has been busy lately.”
“With some help from your husband.”
“What do you know?”
“Just that the two of them seem to have taken it upon themselves to ‘help us along’ in the romance department. They think they’re so clever, but they’re not really fooling anyone.”
“You can’t argue with their results though. A wedding, an engagement and a shack-up all in one year. Not bad.”
“Not bad at all, and I get the feeling they’re looking to add me to their list of successes.”
“Are you bothered by that?”
“Not as much as I would be if I hadn’t been waiting forever for this chance with Megan. I spent a sleepless night trying to figure out how we could buy the diner to keep her in town, and then along came Gramps with a solution to my problem. I can’t say that bothered me much at all.”
Molly smiled at him. “What did Megan have to say about it?”
“That it would give her some time to figure out her next move.” As he said those words, a sinking feeling came over him. The thought of her moving on to something—or someone—else made him feel ill. “She’s been right across the street all this time, and I couldn’t work up the nerve to ask her out.”
“Because you knew she was interested in Will.”
“Partially. But also because it’s always seemed more significant with her. I don’t know why. I don’t even know her all that well when it comes right down to it. I just know how I feel when she’s around.”
“You need to trust that feeling, Hunter.”
“I’m trying to, but she’s already warning me off her.”
“How so?”
“She said she’s not interested in being serious with anyone.”
“She’s scared, honey. She’s already lost so much in her life that she’s put up brick walls all around her heart to keep the hurt out.”
“What if I can’t get past those walls?”
“You’ve always been an excellent climber,” she said, grinning. “From the time you were nine months old and already escaping from your crib. If you want her badly enough, and I think you do, you’ll find a way over the walls.”
“You don’t think I’m a fool for getting involved with someone who’s already told me she doesn’t want what I want?”
“I think you’d be a fool not to try, but you need to do so fully aware that she might not change her mind about what she wants—and what she doesn’t.”
Lost in thought, he once again tapped his mechanical pencil against his lip. “I like your idea of getting in the car and taking off somewhere with her.”
“You don’t always have to have a plan. Remember that.”
“I might need a reminder from time to time.”
“There’s no place in matters of the heart for spreadsheets or pie charts.”
“What?” he asked, horrified.
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I have to say it does my heart good to see you taking a chance with yours. It’s about time.”
“What if … What if I take this huge gamble on her, and she decides to leave town or that I’m not the one for her or something equally unfortunate.”
“That’s always a risk, but if she decides to leave town you could always go with her.”
“How do I do that when my job and my entire life are here?”
“I know I speak for your father when I tell you neither of us would ever want you to feel like you were stuck here out of some sense of obligation to the family. Even if the whole operation would fall apart without you.”
He grunted out a laugh, because that was true.
“You’re fantastic at what you do, and Dad and I are extremely grateful for and proud of your contributions here. But that doesn’t mean the family business is a life sentence. As much as it would pain us to see you go, we’d figure it out. You’re a grown man, Hunter, as well as a wonderful son and brother and an outstanding asset to the business. All that said, you have a right to your own life, too, and we’d never stand in the way of that.”
Touched by what she’d said, he looked up at her. “I love this job. You know that. I’d never want to leave it.”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that, but keep your options open. If you feel for this woman what I think you do, you’ll want her to be happy, too. In fact, her happiness could very well become the most important thing to you.”
“If I feel the way you think I do. What does that mean?”
“L-o-v-e.”
Hunter blanched at that. “I like her, Mom. Did you hear me say I barely know her? Did you hear me say she’s already told me she doesn’t want to get serious?”
Molly shrugged and gave him the trademark grin that let him know she could see right through his bullshit. She’d always been scarily perceptive when it came to her children. “Keep telling yourself that. I’ve got to run and get ready for a date of my own.” She winked at him. “Your dad is taking me out tonight.”
“I want that.” The words were out before he could stop them.
“Want what?”
“What you guys have.”
Her face softened as she gazed at him with unabashed love. “I want that for you, too, honey. Clearly your father and grandfather want it, too. If you want it, go get it. Stop hiding out in this office behind your computer and your spreadsheets. Go out there and live, Hunter.”
Unable to deny the truth behind her words, he said, “I’m trying.”
“Good. Keep me posted on how it’s going.”
“That’s not happening. I’ve already told you all too much.”
“Too late to turn back now.” She kissed his cheek and headed for the door. “Cat’s out of the bag, my friend.”
“Mom?”
Molly turned back to face him. “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure, sweetheart. Good luck tonight. I’ll be hoping to hear you had a wonderful time.”
“Thanks again.”
Hoping to avoid any further involvement from his nosy siblings, Hunter left the office and headed home to wait for Megan’s call.