"I think so. Look, I'm here to let you know I'm selling La Bella Luna," Kane began, and the shock showed on Rodney's face. He started to speak, but Kane stopped him, raising a hand. "And I want you to buy it."
"Kane, man, I can't afford this place. And I don't have the credit to get this kind of money," Rodney said. He was up and on his feet, panic now replaced the shock.
"Trust me, you can afford it. And I'll carry the note. Avery's firm can draw up the papers," Kane said, realizing for the first time in a long time his super-calm facade was back in place. "I want you to have the place. It's the only way I can let it go."
That stopped Rodney in his tracks. His face again went through a variety of changes, until uncertainty settled in. "Can I handle it?"
"I think you can. You already do most of the work now. I can stay on as your consultant. Talk you through anything you need help with. I'll also handle the paperwork transfer and be your lender. Paulie would want you to have it," Kane added, nodding his head now.
"Paulie kept this place going just in case you ever wanted back in," Rodney said, dropping down in his seat with a thump, the somber mood back in place.
"I know. He was always watching out for me since the first day I met him," Kane said, he fought the instant tears that threatened to blur his vision.
"He loved you, Kane. Like you were his son," Rodney said, holding his gaze.
"I was his son, and I think he'd approve of this decision. You need to just say yes. Let me clean out this office, and get the paperwork started." They were silent for several long minutes staring at one another. Kane nodded, knowing this was the right decision, while Rodney sat there looking unsure.
"I'm taking your silence as a yes," Kane said, feeling weirdly relieved when Rodney didn't immediately object. Rodney would treat La Bella Luna with the same care that he and Paulie had. "I'm heading over to the firm now. We'll draw up the paperwork. Once you sign, I'll start the transfer. The only thing I ask is that for the time being, we keep this all on the down low. Everything we do is supposed to be approved through the campaign. It's not going to change what happens, I just want Avery brought up to speed."
"I don't know, Kane. Do you think I can handle it?" Rodney rose from his seat when Kane did.
"I have the utmost faith in you, Rodney. I'm moving forward and heading over to Avery's office to get things outlined. I'll be back to get Paulie's things, and we can talk more then." Kane rounded the corner, giving Rodney a giant bear hug. This was abrupt, possibly not thought completely through, but he wasn't taking no for an answer. He was ripping the Band-Aid off, getting things done. As he let Rodney go, the office phone began to ring.
* * * *
The restaurant telephone line rang until voice mail picked up. Avery aggressively disconnected the call only to hit redial, letting the phone ring again. He must have read it wrong. Kane surely had not just made such a monumental decision as selling his beloved restaurant without talking to him first. And what the hell was up with an email? He didn't warrant high enough on the food chain to even get a phone call? Hell, he'd just spent four full days with the man, why hadn't Kane mentioned any of this to him then?
"Dammit!" Avery hissed, disconnecting the call again, only to hit redial for the second time. This email had to come from the computer at La Bella Luna. There wasn't enough time for Kane to have taken Autumn and Robert home and return to Minnesota. Who was with his children?
"La Bella Luna," Kane answered on the fourth ring.
"I honestly don't even know where to start," Avery said as all the frustrating thoughts jammed his mind at one time. "Yes, I do. We'll start at the end and work our way back. You can't sell La Bella Luna, Kane. We'll make it work."
"Rodney, will you give me a minute?" he heard Kane say on the other end of the line.
"Sure thing, boss. Oh, sorry," Rodney said in the background. What the hell did that mean?
"Avery, I knew if I told you, you would fight me on this," Kane started explaining.
"Why are you trying to sell?" Avery asked, even though he was really more stuck on why Kane hadn't discussed any of this with him. He talked everything over with Kane.
"For the reasons I mentioned in the message, Avery," Kane said, and this time he sounded sad.
"Babe, that's your place. It's our place…" Avery began, but Kane cut him off.
"Not anymore, and it hasn't been for many years. We're in Washington now. That's our life. I can't run the restaurant from there," Kane stated.
"Yes, you can. And you can go home more. The kids are getting older. We can hire a nanny, they can live without you for a few days a week," Avery countered.
"Honey, you know you're gonna win. It's inevitable. If I don't do this now, I'll have to eventually. It's better to tie up all these loose ends while I can still be in control of them. I thought I'd have your office draw up the papers. I've already talked to Rodney about buying the place. Besides, I don't want to be here during the little bit of free time you have. It's too rare to miss," Kane reasoned. Avery could hear the fatigue, and his heart hurt for Kane. He'd had too much pain in his life already.
"Are you lonely?" Why had he asked that? Or, better question, why hadn't he considered that before right this minute? Kane always stayed so busy with Autumn and Robert. But they were new to town, no real friends yet, and Kane hadn't found a church like the one they had at home. Damn, why hadn't he thought about this before?