Second: No. He wasn’t letting Rose’s former in-laws pay for him and his daughter.
How much cash did he have? “Let me pay you back. How much was our portion of the bill?”
Alfred tried to stand, then collapsed back into his chair.
“Where’s my cane, darling?” he asked Annette, his voice feeble. “I’ll go talk to the server about how much each meal cost, even though my leg hurts so much.” He aimed a despondent look at Martin. “Paying for dinner brings such pleasure to an old man’s day. Are you certain you won’t reconsider?”
That hunched position Annette had assumed couldn’t be comfortable. “We wouldn’t want him to feel uncomfortable, dearest. Even though it would make us both so, so happy to pay for the meal. Why don’t I try to find the server instead?”
She clutched her spine as she inched up from the chair. “Pass me my pain pills, would you, Martin? They’re in my purse.” Another mournful glance his way. “Sometimes extreme disappointment makes my back seize.”
If he wasn’t mistaken, Bea had turned away to hide her snickering. That didn’t make it much less audible. Rose, on the other hand, sent him a reassuring look.
She leaned over to whisper in his ear. “Whatever you decide is fine, Martin. Let them pay or don’t. Or feel free to play their game in your own way.”
A natural actor, he was not. But the rules of this game were now clear to him, and with Rose’s encouragement, he was willing to play.
He squeezed his eyes shut, as if in terrible discomfort, then pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “What a coincidence. Anytime I can’t pay for my part of a meal, I get a blinding migraine.”
A very familiar snort almost made him smile, but he kept his composure.
“Once I hand over the right amount of money, though, I instantly feel better.” Dropping his chin, he pinched harder. “Oh, my poor head. I know you don’t want me to be in pain, Alfred. Please help.”
Silence.
When Martin peeked through his fingers, Rose and Bea were grinning at him with seeming pride. Alfred rolled his eyes as Annette began to giggle, the sound soft and sweet.
Finally, the older man admitted defeat. “Touché, son. May we at least pay for your daughter’s dinner as a birthday present?”
Headache miraculously cured, Martin dropped his hand and thought for a moment. “As long as you ask before paying the bill in the future.”
He didn’t anticipate dining with Rose’s in-laws again, but a careful man planned for all eventualities.
Alfred heaved a sigh. “Fine.”
“Then thank you very much for Bea’s dinner.” Martin offered the other man a handshake. “We had a lovely evening with you and your wife.”
Alfred’s grip was steady and strong, his eyes on Martin assessing. And when Martin handed him a wad of cash, the other man didn’t protest.
“The truffle risotto was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth, including those deep-fried Twinkies at the Wisconsin State Fair.” Bea bounced on her heels. “Thank you so much for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Buckham. It was great meeting Ms. Owens’s family.”
Rose’s hand on his arm somehow managed to heat his entire body, and her murmur tickled his ear in a shivery taunt. “Impressive acting skills, Krause. And if you’re worried about them paying for Bea’s meal, please remember that they have plenty of money. Besides, eating with people they like really does make them happy.”
When she removed her hand, his forearm continued to burn from the contact.
“Good night, Annette.” She hugged her former mother-in-law, surrounding the older woman’s slight frame with both arms. “Dinner was fantastic, as always. Thank you.” Then it was Alfred’s turn for an embrace. “Alfred, you need some work to become a master thespian. But I really appreciate dinner, and I really appreciate you both.”
The couple gazed at her, soft-eyed.
“We’ll call you later this week,” Annette promised. “Take care of yourself, Rosie.”
“Why don’t Martin and Bea walk you to your car?” Alfred suggested. “We need to visit the facilities before we leave.”
Rose cast them a skeptical glance, one Martin secretly seconded.
“You live two minutes from this restaurant,” she said.
Annette sagged where she stood. “When you get as old as us, dearest—”
