“Good to see Peg’s Diner hasn’t embraced that whole health craze.”
Ben chuckled and tossed a handful of cheese fries into his mouth. “Me, too. I swear, if Kellie makes me eat one more veggie burger . . .”
Corbin grinned and watched his brother devour his lunch. He picked at his own chicken sandwich, wishing they’d met at the sandwich shop instead. The diner was loud and crowded—two things he didn’t enjoy as much as he used to. But he hadn’t seen his brother in a week or so, and Ben loved the place.
“Something wrong with your chicken?”
Corbin shook his head. “Just a headache. Is Peg’s always so loud? It wasn’t this bad yesterday morning.”
“You ate here yesterday?”
“Yeah, for breakfast. I had a . . . business meeting, I guess.”
Ben arched an eyebrow. Corbin hadn’t told his family about Ashton Rhodes. He didn’t see any reason to, considering he turned her down.
“Some record label exec tracked me down. Made me an offer.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
“I said no.”
“It wasn’t a good deal?”
“No, that’s not it. I mean, I haven’t had a lawyer look at it, but it sounds like a decent deal. One album. Three-month tour. And I retain all the rights to my music.”
“Sounds great. Maybe you should have Dad’s lawyer look it over.”
“Why? It’s not like I’m gonna sign it.”
“Why not?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?”
Ben shrugged. “You seem to be doing okay. Great, even.”
“I haven’t been out of rehab that long. Put me on a tour bus and God only knows what might happen. I’m not ready to tempt fate. Not yet, anyway.”
Ben continued chewing, his eyes never leaving his brother’s face.
“Are you sure that’s all that’s keeping you here?”
“What do you mean?”
“Three months isn’t that long.”
“You have no idea how much trouble I could find in three months.”
“Maybe. But you’re more mature now. Wiser. Cured.”
“I’m in recovery, Ben. There’s no cure. Besides, I’m happy here.”
“You’re happy working part-time in a bookstore?”
“Why does that surprise everybody?”
“Because all you’ve ever wanted to do is write songs. You’re telling me that working the self-help aisle is suddenly your idea of a good time?”
Corbin shrugged. “Like you said, I’m more mature now. Maybe I’m just growing up.”
“I’m not buying it.”
“You don’t have to.”
Suddenly, Ben’s eyes lit up.
“It’s that girl!”
Corbin groaned.
“I’m right, aren’t I? You’re staying because of that girl.”
“Her name’s Jolie. And no, she’s not the reason.”
Ben smirked.
“Okay, she’s not the only reason.”
“I knew it!”
Corbin tiredly rubbed his face. “Don’t make me regret telling you about this. And it’s not just because of Jolie. You may find this hard to believe, but I like being home.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe it.”
“I like spending time with my family, Ben. I love the twins, and you have another baby on the way. I don’t want to miss any of that.” Corbin sighed heavily and tossed his napkin on the table. “It’s time for me to grow up. Maybe buy some land. Build a house. Do something normal—with a normal job and a normal life.”
“Build a house . . .”
Corbin nodded.
“And you think you can afford that by working part-time at the bookstore?”
“Not right now. I’ll have to save.”
“Just think, Corb . . . signing that contract could make that dream come true a whole lot quicker.”
Corbin couldn’t believe his ears. “Do you really have that short of a memory? Have you forgotten the hell I went through out on the road?
“I know it was rough out there. The women and the drugs and the bad deals that left you broke. But things are different now. You’re different. Three months isn’t that long. We’ll all be here when you get back, and then you can buy that land. Build that house. Be normal, if that’s what you really want. Man, what I wouldn’t give if . . .”
His voice trailed off, but Corbin could hear the sadness there. Ben had been an all-star tight end back in high school. Colleges were begging for him, and he dreamed of playing in the NFL—until he blew out his knee. Corbin knew his brother loved being a firefighter, but if given the chance to play pro ball—just one game—Ben would jump at the chance.
“I just hate to see you give up on your dream. That’s all.”
Ben inhaled the rest of his burger and asked the waitress for another order of fries.
“Were you always this much of a pig?”
“You sat at the dinner table with me for eighteen years. You know this.” Ben laughed. “Besides, my wife is starving me to death. Vegan this and organic that. She’s going to kill me long before this greasy food will.”
Corbin chuckled and took a bite of his sandwich. Suddenly, he heard someone shout from behind the counter. He glanced up to find Aaron Hayes chewing out one of the waitresses.
“So he runs the place now?” Corbin asked, nodding toward the counter.
Ben nodded. “Ever since Peg retired.”
“He was in the bookstore this morning. Is he still a jerk?”
“Nah, he’s okay. But speaking of jerks . . .”
Ben nodded toward the door. Corbin looked over his shoulder to find Gavin Massey walking into the diner. When he spotted the brothers, he headed straight to their table and planted himself in an empty chair.
“Afternoon, boys. How’s life?”
“By all means have a seat,” Ben said, his voice dripping with venom.
The waitress appeared with Ben’s second order of fries. He thanked her and asked for the check. Gavin immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill.
“I’m in such a good mood. Lunch is on me,” he said, winking at the waitress. “And you keep the change, sweetheart.”
The waitress practically skipped back to the register.
“No need to thank me, guys.”
“Didn’t plan on it,” Corbin said.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Ben asked. “Kick someone out of their house? Bulldoze someone’s life work to the ground?”
“Even better. Rumor has it I’m this close to getting my hands on a sweet piece of real estate. Something I’ve had my eye on for quite a while.”
Ben snorted. “And once again Gavin Massey is going to prey upon the honest, hard-working folks of Riverview and kick them when they’re down.”
“It’s not my fault if those honest, hard-working folks don’t pay their mortgages.” Gavin smirked at Corbin. “I certainly hope you’ve been saving your money.”
“Why’s that?”
“I take it you haven’t talked to your pretty boss today.”
“Nope.”
“You should probably do that.”
“Why?”
“Because I heard the bank’s threatening to foreclose. She should’ve been served with papers this morning.”
Foreclose?
“Well, you heard wrong. Her father owns that house.”
“Not talking about the house.” Gavin grabbed one of Ben’s cheese fries and popped it into his mouth. “Have a good day, boys.”
“Not the house?” Ben muttered.
Corbin’s blood ran cold.
Not the house.
Corbin didn’t even say goodbye. Seconds later, he was out the door and in his car, driving like a maniac toward the bookstore. When he arrived, he saw the CLOSED sign in the window. Jolie’s car wasn’t in the parking lot, so he headed toward her house. As Corbin sped down the highway, he tried her cell, but it went straight to voicemail.
“Jolie, it’s me. Call me. Let me know you’re okay.”
Tossing his phone aside, he pulled up to the house. Her car was nowhere to be found. Corbin slammed his fist against the steering wheel.
“Damn it, where are you?”
His phone rang, and he quickly flipped it open.
“Jolie?”
“No, it’s me,” his mom said softly. “Corbin, I need you to come home.”
He could hear the faint sound of someone crying in the background.
“She’s there?”
“She’s here.”
Speed limits ceased to exist as Corbin raced home.
Maggie was waiting for her son when he flew through the door.
“She’s in your room.”
Corbin took the stairs two at a time and flew down the hall to his bedroom. There, on his bed, nestled under his blanket, was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Jolie was sleeping soundly, curled into a ball, and he felt his entire body relax as he made his way to her side. Without taking his eyes off her, he removed his shoes and climbed under the covers, gently wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to his chest.
Turn the Page was Jolie’s dream come true. She’d told Corbin that business had been slow the past few months, but he had no idea just how bad things really were. If the bank was threatening to foreclose, that meant she was behind on several payments. God only knew how much she owed, and it killed him that he couldn’t help. Five years ago, he could have. Corbin could have written a check and paid off the entire mortgage. But that was five years ago, and he didn’t have that kind of money anymore. He’d drank it. Snorted it. Wasted it on women and hotels and frivolous luxuries. He shook his head, disgusted with himself that he had nothing to show for it.
And nothing to offer her.
Corbin lost track of time, but they must have laid there for hours. Throughout the evening, she dozed peacefully in his arms. After a while, she rolled over, giving him the chance to gaze at her while she slept. His thoughts jumped from one possibility to the next as he struggled to come up with something . . . anything that could help her.
Someone gently knocked on the door. Corbin looked up to find his parents walking into the room. If they were surprised to find him in bed with Jolie, they hid it well. The two of them simply smiled down at their son. Corbin couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw a mixture of disbelief and pride on their faces.
“Your mother thinks you should eat something,” Samuel said softly. “Come down to the kitchen, son.”
The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but she was fast asleep and had been for hours. Besides, he wanted to talk to his parents. All the information he had was what Gavin Massey had told him, and who knew how much of that was accurate.
Corbin climbed out of bed and tucked the blanket close to Jolie’s chin before following his parents down the stairs. They gathered at the kitchen table, where a steaming bowl of tomato soup was waiting for him.
“Would you like a sandwich? Maybe a grilled cheese?”
“This is plenty. Thanks, Mom.”
He wasn’t a bit hungry, but the soup smelled good, and his mom looked like she was ready to cry, so he forced himself to eat.
“She came straight here looking for you,” Maggie said softly.
“I wish she’d called me. I was at the diner having lunch with Ben.”
She nodded. “Jolie wanted to wait for you at the river, but I just couldn’t let her out of my sight. She was too upset. Totally inconsolable. I gave her a sleeping pill and led her straight to your room.”
“You gave her a pill?”
“Something over the counter that I take on restless nights. Nothing major.”
Corbin sighed. “Thank you. I’m glad you were here. Did she tell you about the bank?”
“She did.”
“So it’s true.”
“I’m afraid so,” Samuel said. “She has thirty days to come up with the balance or the bookstore goes on the auction block.”
“What’s the balance?”
“Nearly $20,000.”
Corbin exhaled a shaky breath. No wonder Gavin Massey was in such a good mood today.
“We called Thomas,” his dad said.
“Thomas?”
“Jolie’s father. He said there are some options.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“He offered to pay the balance. She won’t let him.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Since she’s refusing his help, and she can’t come up with the balance, they’ll definitely foreclose. However, the auction won’t be for ninety days.”
Corbin did the math. “So we actually have a little time.”
“About three months.”
Three months. Corbin had never been a big believer in coincidence or karma, but he couldn’t ignore the facts.
Three months.
Three months away from his family.
Three months away from her.
Three months to save the bookstore.
“Excuse me,” he whispered.
Corbin hurriedly walked out onto the porch, letting the screen door slam behind him. He exhaled a shaky breath and sat down on the front steps.
Lightning flickered in the western sky, a sure sign another storm was on the way. Riverview needed the rain, and his grandfather used to say that the Lord always gives us what we need. As Corbin sat down in the rocking chair, he couldn’t help but think that maybe his grandpa had been right.
A miracle had been dropped right into his lap.
A miracle was exactly what Jolie needed.
Was it fate? Or was it the universe’s idea of a cruel joke?
Either way, he couldn’t ignore it.
“Son?”
Corbin glanced up to find his father standing in the doorway. Seconds later, the porch was illuminated with light. Samuel walked outside and sat beside his son. The two men sat in silence for a few minutes before Corbin finally took a deep breath.
“I was offered a recording contract today. One album. Three months on the road. And enough money to . . .”
“Enough money to save the bookstore.”
“Enough money to buy the bookstore.”
Samuel nodded in understanding.
“I turned it down,” Corbin said softly.
“Why?”
“Because I’m afraid I’m not ready.”
“Which shows just how much you’ve matured. Turning it down couldn’t have been easy.”
“It was ridiculously easy, to be honest.”
“Then it was probably a good decision, son.”
“I thought so, too.”
“Thought so?”
Corbin and his father exchanged a look.
“Son, it’s not your responsibility to save her bookstore.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. But I can help her, Dad.”
“So can her father.”
“She’d never let him.”
“Then what makes you think she’d let you?”
It was a good question. Corbin wished he had an answer.
“It’s admirable, son. Truly. But is it worth risking your health? Your sobriety?”
“What if it is?”
Samuel carefully studied his son’s face.
“You love her.”
Corbin sighed deeply and gazed at the flickering sky. He’d never been in love. Never came close to it. He didn’t know if he would even recognize the feeling. All he knew was that he cared for Jolie Daniels, and the thought of her losing the bookstore was more than he could bear.
Is that love? He had no idea.
But he did know what it was like to have a dream and then lose it, no matter how hard you tried.
“I don’t know, Dad. All I know is that I want to help her. And I can. I’d be helping myself, too.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I sign the contract, and if I finish the tour and the album, I could come back home. To stay.”
“Is that what you want to do?”
“I like being home with my family. I bet you never thought you’d hear me say that.”
Samuel chuckled. “No, but I can’t deny that it’s wonderful to hear.”
“I don’t miss the city at all. I’ve discovered that I like peace and quiet.” Corbin’s voice became more animated as a plan started to form in his mind. “I actually looked at a piece of land out on Echo Point. I think I’d like to build a house there. Working at the bookstore’s great, but it’ll take years to save enough money. If I sign the contract, maybe I could hire a contractor and have them start construction while I’m on tour. When it’s over, I can live in Riverview and continue songwriting.”
Samuel regarded his son carefully. “You’re really considering signing that contract.”
“I wasn’t. I am now.”
“Because of Jolie.”
Corbin said nothing.
“But you don’t know if you love her.”
His father tried very hard to hide his smile. He failed miserably.
“I think Jolie Daniels is very good for you,” Samuel said. “Do me a favor? Don’t make any decisions tonight. Sleep on it. Most importantly, talk it over with Jolie.”
“I will.”
Samuel placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze before standing up from his rocking chair. He was almost inside when Corbin called his name.
“Dad? I want to make you proud.”
Samuel smiled softly at his son.
“You already have. Corbin. You already have.”