Page 23 of One Chance to Stay (Bears of Firefly Valley #4)

I walked…no. I strutted to the bistro.

In one week, Firefly had pulled the rug out from under me.

I spent the night contemplating Evelyn’s words.

Her pep talk had struck a chord that refused to quiet.

If the answer had been any more obvious, I’d have slapped myself.

The night ended with me reading about potential careers and what I’d have to do to get a job.

Burying my hands deeper in my pockets, I continued down the sidewalk toward Bistro on Maine. The thought of returning to school and sitting at one of those tiny desks made my skin crawl. I hadn’t been an outstanding student the first time. Would it be the same over a decade later?

“I’ll be the oldest guy in the room,” I mumbled.

What if I was older than the professor? It was a lot to process, but I didn’t have a lot of time if I wanted to enroll for the next term.

The upheaval of my life might be unsettling, but something felt right .

I didn’t just strut, I strutted with purpose.

As I reached the front door, I held it open, and a dozen women exited, each holding an identical book. There was early, and there was ‘Seamus feeding the deer’ early. It appeared most people were on his time. They’d be in bed before I started a shift at the bar.

I slid inside. I couldn't believe Simon had only opened the bistro a year ago. Even with the gaggle of book clubbers leaving, there were plenty of patrons enjoying their brunch. The smells. I don’t know what he cooked, but it left my mouth watering.

If the lasagna the other night was any sign, I prepared for an outstanding breakfast.

“You’re not from around here.”

The hostess leaned against her podium, studying me. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned for context. Mainers weren’t a judging bunch, at least not with other Mainers. I just needed to pass the test, and it’d grant me access without reservation.

“I’m staying at Valhalla.” It didn’t convince her. “I’m from Bangor.”

“Ahh.” She stood upright. “City folk.” I had grown used to the playful division between the cities of Maine and the small towns peppering the state. She waved me over with a menu.

Once I took a seat, she held the menu within reach, but pulled away as I tried to take it. “You look like a black coffee guy.”

“Yes, please.”

I tried grabbing for the menu again, and she pulled away. The grin on her face made it clear she was playing with me. I gave up and let the hostess do her thing. “You won’t need this. I have abilities.” She tapped her forehead. “French toast. Side of bacon.”

“I—”

“Homemade maple syrup.”

“I—” She glared. There was no use in giving in. Bacon drenched in maple syrup did sound delicious. “Sounds great.”

“Be thankful I use my superpowers for good.”

I was about to reach for my phone and respond to all the text messages I had been ignoring.

Half of them were from the bar, giving me updates on the million usual disasters that happened every night.

At the end of the night, I’d receive a photo as proof that the building hadn’t burned down.

Spectrum acted like a little family of its own.

From kings to queens, I’d miss the people most of all.

“Mind if I sit?”

Walter didn’t wait for an answer as he pulled up a seat. “Good sir, the missus is angry with you.”

“Me?”

He lived up to the hype. Wearing an old gray hoodie, he’d look like every other person in Maine. The bright yellow knitted cap with a giant pompom on top made him stand out. It took a moment before I realized it had a smiley face on the front. That about summed up Walter.

“Getting me drunk like that. I fell asleep in her craft room. Want to know how to make a woman mad? Drool on her favorite fabric.”

“You got me drunk! I was trying to keep up with you.”

He sat back, eyes wide. “Well, I hope you learned your lesson.”

I rubbed the back of my head. “Still learning it, I guess.”

“Harvey is mad. He slept through it all.”

“I’m jealous of Harvey,” I admitted.

“Aren’t we all?”

I still couldn’t tell if the men dialed up their romance for the sake of humor, or if they were truly the best of friends.

If they were younger, it might have been obnoxious.

Seeing these two older gentlemen celebrate one another warmed my heart.

I wondered if Audrey understood what she got herself into.

Would they go on dates, the three of them?

I chuckled.

“Are you having a laugh at my expense?”

I nodded. “Just imagining you and Audrey going on dates with Harvey. The three of you will make a cute trio.”

Walter paused for a moment before laughing. “We’re from Maine. It’s not like going on a date with your sister is unheard of.”

My head cocked to the side. Things worked a little differently in the smaller towns in Maine. Options were limited if you wanted to ensure you weren’t dating a relative. Yet, after seeing his relationship with Harvey, it was almost the same thing.

“You’re marrying his sister?”

He scoffed. “She’s marrying her brother’s best friend.”

We both eyed the other before cracking up laughing. He had an undeniable charisma, and both Harvey and his sister were lucky to have him. Once the laughter died down, the silence crept in. It went from giggling like children to tense, and that made me think we were about to have the talk.

“Consider yourself invited.”

“To the wedding?”

“Well, not the honeymoon! What would Harvey say?” He cackled, capable of amusing himself without any external help. The hostess dropped a coffee in front of me, and without asking, added another mug in front of my companion.

“The whole town is invited. It’s only fitting you go.”

“I—”

“Son.” Did Walter pull rank? He slid the cup out of the way as he leaned forward on the table. His larger-than-life personality hushed to a whisper. “There’s an individual who could use a dancing partner.”

I wanted another dance with Seamus. While I stepped on his toes, he’d patiently lead, commenting on my two left feet. In the quiet of his living room was one thing, but with the eyes of Firefly watching?

“I don’t think this individual wants that kind of attention.”

Walter let out a sigh. I suspected he knew more of Seamus’s story than he let on. I wanted to find out the moment Seamus pulled away. Not from Walter, nor Firefly, just life in general. While we lay in bed, he shared at a speed that made him comfortable.

I was about to tell Walter I didn’t want to hear any details when he held a finger to his lips. “Some things aren’t mine to share.” He acted a lighthearted fool, but Walter had depth he didn’t always put on display.

“But—”

He smacked his forehead. “Son. Listen, before I open a can of whoop ass.” I bit my tongue. “We are all terrified of the unknown. When we’re young, we make our mistakes.” He gestured to me. “I’m sure you made plenty. We learned to rebound while we figured out who we are.”

“But when it happens as an adult…” Seamus had never shared his secret, or at least I didn’t think he had, not intentionally. He’d let me in, but not the world. And that was the scary part—letting them see what I already knew.

Walter nodded. “Us old guys need a little guidance, seeing that the world isn’t as scary as it seems.”

I wanted to ask if something had sent Seamus running or if this was a prison of his own creation.

It didn’t matter. I imagined him holding out his hand under a wedding tent and asking me to dance.

I could hear the audible gasp from Jason and the ear-piercing squeal from Jon.

There’d be questions I couldn’t answer, not yet.

For the man who folded my clothes in the morning, I’d endure the speculation.

“We’re not unteachable, especially when we get out of our way. Perhaps this individual needs somebody willing to show him the way.”

“Walter.” I leaned forward, whispering. “You’re… consider me impressed.”

“Whoa, now.” He held up his hands. “Good sir. I know I’m irresistible, but I’m an almost-married man.” And just like that, the Walter who insisted we drink straight from the bottle returned. “I hear Dorothy is looking for a man.”

“Ha!” The hostess said as she put my French toast on the table. “I have too many men to deal with. You take a number, and if my dance card has a vacancy, I’ll call you.” My jaw dropped, and before I could stutter out a reply, she zoomed off to seat a couple who walked in.

Walter gave me a wink before he groaned, clamoring to his feet. “Oh, and don’t forget, it’s a Christmas theme.”

He waved at the couple as he exited the bistro.

Everything about this conversation danced between wisdom and insanity, and I couldn’t identify which.

Either way, Walter had a big heart, and I didn’t question his good intentions.

Some people wanted everybody around them to shine, and because of that, Walter got my seal of approval.

Now, if only I could convince Seamus. I’d brainstorm while I devoured perfectly crispy bacon and the sugary, gooey goodness of maple syrup. The answer would come to me on a full stomach.