to throw in the water.”
MaryAnne gave Lois a dismissive glance. “I don’t think they allow that.” She turned back to me. “So will we get to visit your little shop? I’m considering opening some retail stores next year, but I’m not sure I want to get into the customer service situation.”
“You have great customer service now, it’s just a different level of customer.” I pointed out. A confused look passed over MaryAnne’s face so I went into how as a wholesaler, she had customers, they were just the retail stores that actually sold the product to the end line consumer. I realized I must have been paying attention in some of my classes lately as I participated in the discussion. Thank God for Aunt Jackie and her insistence I learn more about the business side.
The evening was winding down and Lois stifled a yawn. “I’m heading to bed. I’m looking forward to seeing your little town tomorrow. I’m so glad the boys are going out on the boat. Butch loves fishing. He goes out on a local charter during the weeks he’s working too.”
I was glad we were going into town, even if no one had asked my opinion before the plans were set. Or after, for that matter.
Raised voices cut off our discussion of tomorrow’s activities. The noise was coming from the table where the guys sat.
“You think you’re so smart. Just because you make more money than the rest of us.” A raised voice came from the other side of the patio. I looked over and Butch was standing, or actually, swaying, pointing a finger at Levi. “You think you can get away with anything. But it’s not going to happen on my watch.”
“Butch, calm down. I didn’t mean to imply…” Levi started, but stopped when Butch slammed his fist on the table, knocking over beer bottles.
“You never mean to imply or sleep with someone’s wife, or even give a shit.” Butch moved closer to Levi and I saw Greg step in between the two. Lois ran by me and grabbed her husband’s arm.
“Honey, can you take me upstairs? I’m not feeling well.” She raised her voice to be heard over Butch’s heavy breathing. “Honey?”
He broke eye contact with Levi and looked down at his wife. Then he glared at Levi again. “You are so not getting away with this. I’ll kill you if I have to.”
“Hold on, Butch. Levi didn’t do anything wrong.” Greg said in the voice tone I’d heard him use with drunks at the bar when a fight had broken out at the winery during one of our date nights.
Butch turned his anger to Greg. “You don’t know. You think he’s that skinny kid we went to school with? No, he’s a schemer and we’re all just players in his personal game. But he’s not getting away with this. Not after all we’ve been through. Someone has to put their foot down.”
“Butch, I need you to help me upstairs. I’m not feeling well.” Lois stepped in front of him and tipped his head down so she could see in his eyes. “Please?”
I could see the tears in his eyes as he studied her. His voice dropped a few octaves and he asked, “Are you sick?”
“Probably one too many margaritas. Can you walk me to the room?” She pulled on his arm, leading him away from the table. Greg didn’t say anything, just stood, blocking Butch’s view of the target of his anger.
As they walked past, I saw Lois pat Greg’s arm and nod her thanks. I waited for the couple to reach the hotel entrance before moving to Greg’s side. I looked up at him. “That was intense.”
“Butch can be a little over-the-top at times.” Levi slapped Greg on the back. “I appreciate the support, dude, but there was no way Butch was going to hit me. He and I have an understanding.”
Greg put his arm around me. “I’ve got to get some sleep. Especially if we’re heading out on the boat tomorrow. Talk to you all in the morning.”
We heard the good-night calls and he waved a hand behind us, acknowledging the words but not slowing down. I hurried to keep up with him. When we got into the elevator, he slumped against the wall. “Now, I remember how crazy those guys are. It’s like being back in high school.”
“What was the fight about?” I brushed a lock of hair out of Greg’s eyes. He looked beat.
He didn’t look up, instead he sighed. “Something that happened over twenty years ago.”
CHAPTER 4
Greg promised to tell me the story before he left the next day, but after enduring his tossing and turning during the night, I’d slept through his four o’clock alarm. When I’d finally woken, he and the fishing boat had left hours before. I stretched in the too-soft bed, enjoying the softness of the high thread-count sheets. Brenda knew how to run a high-end hotel. I thought about Emma and hoped my dog was enjoying her sleepover with Toby. Toby Killian lived in the shed turned apartment behind the house along with being a part time barista at my shop, the guy also served as one of South Cove’s finest. Basically, the guy never slept. But Emma loved him and he was good with her, so I didn’t feel uncomfortable with leaving her for the weekend.
However, I missed her. We typically ran first thing in the morning down on the beach. She loved pretending she could catch the sea gulls. And the gulls loved teasing my golden retriever. They had a history and a system.
A lot like the group I’d met yesterday. They definitely had history. I wondered: What had gotten Butch worked up that fast? I’d blame it on the alcohol, I saw way too many buckets of beer and shots flowing to the boys’ table yesterday. Except Greg had mentioned their high school history. Or at least that’s what I’d assumed he’d meant.
I opened up my laptop and typed in the town where Greg had grown up: Sioux City, Iowa. I got a lot of hits, but when I added all the men’s names, I got articles from the local paper about them and their lives since the accident.
“Accident?” I racked my brain to try to remember if Greg had ever mentioned being in an accident, but I came up empty. I had just clicked on the first article, which seemed to be a summary of the others, when a knock came on my door. I bookmarked the link and leaving my laptop open on the bed, went to answer the door.
“Hey, sorry to bother you, but the van’s waiting and everyone’s inside, but you.” Brenda studied me with a concerned glance. “Are you okay? Should I send one of my volunteers with the group to do the tour? I have them all on call this weekend to help me with the group.”
I glanced at my watch, the morning had gotten away from me. “Let me run under the shower quickly, then I’ll be ready. Sorry about the delay.” I stepped back, intent on closing the door, but Brenda blocked it with one hand.
“One more thing. One of the women looks like she’s been crying all night. I heard there were some loud voices at the pool last night. Is everything okay with that Lisa?” She looked at me with understanding gaze.
“You mean Lois.” I shrugged, not wanting to get involved in the whole thing. Besides, how would I know, really? I just met the group. “I think so, I’ll try to pull her aside today to talk to her.”
“I’d appreciate that. I hope everything is okay. I have some referrals to the women’s safety council, if she needs help.” Brenda shoved a card into my hand. “Maybe you could give her this.”
I held it up and nodded. “Sure, if she says anything to make me think she’s not okay, I’ll pass these on.”
“Sometimes they don’t say. You should pass them on no matter what.” Brenda said through the narrowing slot where I was trying to close the door. Brenda had used a women’s network to leave her husband. I didn’t know all the facts, but even I could see Craig Morgan had been a bad man. Now, Brenda volunteered with the organization that had saved her life.
“Gotcha. I’ll see what I can do.” I pointed to the pajamas. “I really need to get ready now, the ladies are waiting.”
“Oops, sorry.”