Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

“What is this, some private lunch club that I wasn’t invited to?” Ava asked, walking over to Davis and scooping up the last of his biscuit as if she had every right to. She popped it in her mouth and didn’t bother to swallow before launching into a tirade.

“So did you hear about Back Alley dropping out of the fish fry? Un-freaking-believable. Who does that a week before a fundraiser? How in hell am I going to get a replacement? I’m so pissed, I could…I could….”

“Hit something?” Charlie asked.

“Yes,” Ava said. “Pulverize is more like it.”

“Hit Davis,” Charlie said.

“I would but he’d probably like it.” Ava shook her head.

“I probably would,” Davis chuckled.

Ava sighed dramatically. “This is a big deal and I have no clue what to do.”

“What’s Back Alley?” Rick asked, nudging Charlie with his knee.

“It’s some band from the city. Ava’s on the fundraising committee for our local community support center and there’s a big event next Friday. There’ll be a silent auction and a live auction, dinner and entertainment. That sort of thing. The event always brings in a lot of money for our senior programs like Meals on Wheels and transportation to doctor appointments.”

“Yeah, but who’s going to want to come if there’s no entertainment?” Ava sighed.

“We could do a DJ,” Davis suggested.

“I already looked into it,” Ava replied. “The only DJ within fifty miles who’s available is Harry Leedale.”

“Oh no,” Charlie laughed. She glanced at Rick, who was obviously confused. “Harry Leedale is pushing eighty and his idea of dance tunes is spinning Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.” She paused. “Over and over and over. We’re lucky to get a song from any decade past the sixties.”

“I’m sure something will turn up, babe.” Davis grabbed Ava. “If not, I’ll get up there and entertain the crowd for you.”

“Good God,” Charlie said, covering her mouth in an attempt to hide the horror.

“What?” Davis replied. “I did all right at that bachelor thing a few years back.”

Charlie snorted. “Sure. If getting drunk and taking most of your clothes off is considered doing all right, then I guess you did.”

Ava giggled. “It was the highlight of my night.”

“Hey, I got the highest bid, didn’t I?”

“Yes you did. Old Mrs. McTeer paid top dollar for you,” Charlie replied wryly. “How did that work out for you?”

“Sounds like a story that I need to hear,” Rick said, tossing his empty bowl into the garbage. “But it’s going to have to wait until another time. I’m on a roll and I need to get back.”

“What is it exactly that you do?” Davis asked. “I don’t think I ever got that particular memo.”

Charlie jumped to her feet. She could practically see the wheels turning inside Davis’s head and Rick’s secret was still a secret. But Ava swooped in for the rescue and pulled Davis away.

“Jason that was rude.”

Charlie and Rick took a step back until they had a bit of privacy. Her eyes lingered on his hands, and she reached for them, running her fingers along his knuckles.

“Thanks for lunch,” she said.

“It’s the highlight of my day.”

“It’s becoming the highlight of mine as well.” She said slowly. “We’ve got leftover chili for dinner.”

“Sounds good.”