Until Then (Cape Harbor 2)

“I don’t get why it’s so important to you, Renee. Surely your caseload keeps you busy.”

Rennie shook her head. “Like I said, family friends. I’ve known them most of my life, and they need my help. I won’t turn my back on them.”

She watched Donna. For what, she wasn’t sure. Rennie found it odd that her decision to take a case was up for questioning. In the years she had been at the firm, and in her time as a junior partner, she had never seen another lawyer experience this sort of embattlement. Donna seemed to have gotten the hint that Rennie had nothing left to say regarding the case and excused herself, but not before giving her a veiled look as she exited the room.

TWELVE

George Chamberlain sat on a barstool at the Whale Spout, nursing a pint of beer. He’d walked in shortly after eleven in the morning, sat down, and ordered. Graham watched his father like a hawk and wondered what was going on in the older man’s head. His father had yet to go to Port Angeles to visit Grady since Thursday, despite urgings from his mother and himself. As much as Graham hated the drive, he made it three to four times a week, mostly to be with his mom, and each time he went, he asked his dad to come along. The answer had yet to change from no to yes, and Graham wasn’t going to ask anymore. Grady’s doctor intended to wean him off sedation today and felt it would be nice to have his family there.

“Want something to eat?” Graham placed his hands on the bar and leaned down a bit to look his dad in his eyes. Over the past two weeks, George had put on weight from the fried foods he ate and, as far as Graham knew, had only moved from his recliner to meet the young kid who lived down the street, who George had conned to bring him food every night from the fish fry. “I can have Peggy bring something over for you. Something that isn’t fried.”

“I’m fine,” George said gruffly.

Graham knew he was anything but fine, but the stubbornness often won when it came to his father. Graham continued to set up the bar, making sure it would be ready for Krista when she took over for the rest of the day and night. She had taken on more hours, which allowed Graham to travel back and forth to the hospital.

A few old-timers walked in and sat next to George, who perked up at the presence of his friends. Their boisterous chatter echoed throughout the nearly empty bar. Graham served the other two men and told them the kitchen was open if they were hungry, but he left them alone for the most part. He wanted his father to relax and be happy when he offered to give him a ride home later.

Krista arrived within the hour. She met Graham at the bar and nodded toward his father. “Does he know yet?”

Graham shook his head. “Honestly, I hoped he would’ve drunk a couple more beers before we left. He’s going to be angry with me.”

“He’ll get over it. Here.” Krista handed Graham a clear plastic bag with a blanket inside. “My mom put this together for your mom.”

“Wow, please tell her thanks.” He flipped the bag over in his hands and looked at the intricate designs of the patchwork quilt. “She’ll love it,” he said confidently.

“You should probably go. Traffic is going to be a bitch, no matter what time you leave.” Krista was right. Graham was very thankful for her. She’d stepped up and taken over most of the day-to-day operations for him while he helped his mom deal with Grady. He owed her big-time and would have to figure out a way to repay her. When he hired her, she was part time, someone to fill in for him when he needed a day off, but over the past few months and more so in the past weeks, she had become a valuable employee.

Graham went to his father, placed his hand on his shoulder, and waited for the two men beside George to stop complaining about the weather and how Mother Nature needed to get her head straight. One day, it was snowing; the next it was fifty and sunny. They wanted the sun because that meant they could get a head start on the fishing season.

“Dad, you ready?” Graham prepared for his father to give him flack about leaving so soon. There wasn’t any reason either of George’s friends couldn’t take him home when he was ready. Much to Graham’s surprise, his dad finished his pint of beer and said goodbye.

George followed his son through the bar and into the back room. He was aware of the break-in that had happened over the summer, and even though Graham blamed Grady for it, George would never believe his son would steal from the family business. Graham never pushed the issue. At the time, he’d wanted to call the cops to have the place dusted for fingerprints but wouldn’t go against his father’s wishes. So, Graham left it alone and made the necessary modifications to secure the old bar.