Chapter 2

Noah looked back to the girl and shook his head. “I should have known the second I walked through the door. She looks just like her mother.”

Lucas smiled. “Rose was never that pretty.”

Noah’s smile shifted, became something genuine. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Luke.”

“I didn’t expect to see you at all,” Lucas returned lightly. He slid into the booth and regarded Noah thoughtfully. “In all the diners in all the world, huh?”

“To be fair, this is the only place in town,” Noah pointed out.

“For now. I plan to expand.”

Noah frowned and looked around the old diner, noticing for the first time that the décor had been updated. “You…bought this place?”

Lucas leaned back in the booth. “It seemed like a good idea at the time. I’m no hotshot Hollywood producer, but it pays the bills.”

Noah snorted. “I’m no hotshot Hollywood producer either.”

“Do you live in Hollywood? Do you produce things?”

“Yes.”

Lucas grinned, satisfied. “Then there you go.”

Noah laughed, a sudden explosion of laughter that seemed too loud in the nearly empty dining room. “God, I’ve missed you.”

A hint of sadness touched Lucas’s eyes. “I missed you, too.”

“I should have called. Should have let you know I was coming to town at least.”

“Oh, I expected you.”

“How…oh, Dad?”

Lucas nodded. “Called me the day before yesterday. Probably called the whole town. I’m surprised there wasn’t a welcoming committee waiting for you.”

Noah grimaced. “I came to town a bit earlier than expected. I might have just missed them.”

“Well, I’m glad you made it by today. I imagine your social calendar will be packed for the next several days or so. Everybody will want a chance to see the local celebrity.”

Maggie brought his plate over then and offered Noah a shy smile. Noah smiled back. Now that he knew Rose Frank was her mother, he couldn’t stop seeing the resemblance. It was uncanny. She blushed a little at the smile and scurried away.

“See?” Luke said.

Noah waved his fork dismissively. “How long have you owned this place?”

“About three years now. I came into some money and thought it was a good investment.”

“Was it?”

Lucas shrugged. “Some days are better than others.”

“I thought you planned to leave this place,” Noah said, sprinkling salt on his gravy-drenched steak. “Weren’t you going to Florida for school?”

“Something came up.”

Noah cut into the meat and took a bite. “Hey, this is really good. Did you cook it?”

Lucas laughed and held up his hands. “I just do the buying around here. Gus is in charge of cooking.”

“Gus?”

“You don’t know him. He came here from Idaho. Wanted to see a big city.”

Noah snorted. “Well, tell him he does fine work.” He took another bite and chewed it thoughtfully. “It seems like we have a lot to catch up on. I’m supposed to meet Dad in about an hour, but do you want to go out later? The Spur is still open, right? Maybe we can get a drink.”

“Sorry. I can’t tonight.”

“Oh.” Noah didn’t mean to let his disappointment show, but he didn’t do a very good job of hiding it.

“I want to,” Lucas said quickly.

“No, I know. It’s not like the whole world comes to a stop just because I’m back in town. Regardless of what my welcoming party says.”

Lucas stood up. “Don’t worry about this. It’s on me.”

“What about tomorrow night?” Noah blurted.

Lucas paused. “Noah, I…” He nodded. “I think tomorrow night might work. Come by the diner after eight, if you can.”

“I’ll be here,” Noah promised.

* * * *

John Hill had aged forty years when he turned twenty-five. Every single picture Noah had ever seen of his father showed a man who looked like he was about to retire. Or die of old age. He had asked his mother once if there was any reason—external or internal—for his father to be so damned old, but she hadn’t known what he was talking about.

Despite this, Noah wasn’t prepared for the bent-over man who hobbled into the house, leaning heavily on a cane. An old gray hat was pulled low over his eyes, and he didn’t seem to notice his son at all. He made his way into the kitchen, only tossing his hat aside once he had pulled a beer out of the fridge. Closing his eyes, he took a long swallow and sighed with satisfaction.

“Rough day?” Noah asked.

John didn’t jump, or open his eyes. “I had to install an air conditioner today.”

Noah’s eyes widened. “By yourself?”

“No, no, that Billick kid helped out. He’s a good boy. Ron Billick’s son. Did you know ol’ Ron?”

“Yeah, I think so. Look, do you want me to get you something to eat? I could make a sandwich, or we can go to the diner,” Noah offered, alarmed by the prominent collar bone, the gauntness of his cheeks, and the way his shirt hung off his frame.