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“So, where is he?”
I sigh. “Getting sandwiches from Rosie. She told me to send him from now on because at least he doesn’t complain about her egg salad.”
Abe arches an eyebrow. “He hasn’t tried it yet?”
“Oh, he did. He just doesn’t complain to her face about it. He told me it was like eating sadness.” I pause, considering. “Word gets around, I guess,” I say, asking a question without actually asking a question.
Abe nods. “Oh, it does. But nothing but good. People seem to be falling all over your Cal.”
My Cal. That thought zings right through me. “He’s not mine,” I mutter, feeling heat rising in my face.
Abe watches me with knowing eyes. “Uh-huh. Is that why you’ve got that dreamy look on your face right now?”
I groan. “Abe, it’s not like that.”
“Really? Who are you trying to convince here, boy? Certainly it’s not me, because I can see right through your bullshit.”
“I’m not—”
The bell rings overhead. “Benji!” Cal booms, bags in hand as he enters the store. “Rosie gave me pie but your mom’s is better. I almost told her that but then I realized that would hurt her feelings so I said it was the greatest ever.”
“That’s great, Cal,” I say, waiting for the inevitable.
He smiles at me, then seems to notice Abe. “Hello,” he rumbles. He furrows his brow, and I know his mind is firing, making the connection. When he does, a grin splits his face and I know what’s about to come out, regardless of how many times we’ve had this talk.
“Cal,” I say, interrupting him, “this is my friend Abe Dufree. Abe, Cal Blue.” Cal shoots me a look over his shoulder, obviously annoyed that he wasn’t able to tell Abe which moon he’d been born under. I shrug.
“Abe!” he says, moving forward and wrapping the old guy in a hug. Abe squawks in surprise, but then he chuckles and brings his arms around Cal’s shoulders and pats his back solidly. He glances at me over Cal’s shoulder, a wry smile on his face.
“Cal!” he exclaims just as loudly.
Calliel sets him down, then steps back and puts his hands on Abe’s shoulders. “It sure is great to meet you!” he says. “You’re probably the fourth or fifth person I wanted to meet the most. Maybe even the third.”
Abe grins up at the big guy. “Maybe even third?” he echoes. “Then I shall count myself as being blessed.”
“You are blessed,” Cal tells him seriously. “Extraordinarily so.”
Abe opens his mouth then closes it, speechless for the first time since I’ve known him.
“And thank you,” Cal continues, his hands still on Abe’ shoulders, “for taking care of Benji as you have. It means more to me than I could ever say.”
Abe shakes his head, and his eyes look brighter. “I didn’t—” His voice cracks and he shakes his head again as he clears his throat. “I didn’t do much,” he tries again. “You’re certainly an odd one, aren’t you?”
Cal glances over his shoulder at me. “I like him,” he says.
I nod, not speaking for fear I’ll break.
He lets go of Abe and picks the plastic bags up off the floor and comes over to me. “Rosie said you need to eat more, and I agree,” he announces. “So you will eat all of the sandwich and the salad I brought, and I will sit here and share mine with Abe and watch you until you finish.”
And he does just that.
“All the mountains here were filled with gold!” Abe says excitedly a little later, talking with the angel like they’re best friends. “And you mark my words, Cal, someone is going to find a nugget the size of your fist up in those hills, and there will be a huge rush of people trying to get rich!”
“I have really big fists,” Cal says, showing Abe and me just how big they really are.
Cal watches me as I put the last bite in my mouth, while he talks to Abe about gold nuggets the size of fists. Then he cleans up our lunch and tells me he’s going to throw it away and take the trash out back while he’s at it. I nod as he pulls the trash bag from the big plastic can near the doors. He winks at me while he walks toward the office in the back.
Abe watches him go. “He’s wonderful,” he says quietly.
