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Joe swallowed. He needed to get control of this conversation. Fast.
“Yes, Dad. I do know where she was this morning.” He also knew what she’d been doing—or rather,whoshe’d been doing.
“And?”
And it wasn’t any of his damn business.
“Joseph?”
Frustration swept over him. He raked his hands through his hair and let out an exasperated sigh. “And nothing. Yeah, she hasn’t called in sick or missed work in... well... ever, but why does it have to be a national fucking crisis if the woman decides to takeonemorning for herself? Give her a damn break.”
His father stared at him, eerily calm. “You may be a grown man, but youwillremember who you’re talking to,” he warned.
Joe scrubbed his hands over his face and groaned. “Sorry. Look, I know you’re worried about her, but she’s fine. All things considered, she’s doing good.”
“Well, would you look at that?” a voice interrupted.
Joe glanced up and found Martha smiling down at him. She, along with her husband of sixty-plus years, Ray, owned Ray’s Diner. The couple was hilarious and surprisingly spry for being in their eighties. They were also easily two of his favorite people. He grinned. “Hey there, Miss Martha. You’re looking lovely today.”
She fanned herself. “Oh my lordy. Not one, buttwosweet-talking Buchanan boys.”
He fought a cringe as she pinched his and his father’s cheeks. Like they were both three years old.
“Lordy, lordy. God must have been having a good day up in Heaven when He was making the two of you. Mm, mm, mmm.” She pulled out her pen and pad of paper. “Now, what’ll it be, boys?”
They placed their orders, and in two minutes flat, Martha had them updated on the latest town happenings. She was, after all, the conductor of Hudson Island’s gossip train. Joe was just thankful that he and Roxie hadn’t been mentioned in the woman’s latest press release.
Martha turned to leave, then paused to look each of them in the eye. “A little unsolicited advice because, well, we all know I like to stick my nose in other people’s business. You boys talk too quietly for my old ears to get any information, which is probably a wise thing on your parts, but there’s nothing wrong with my vision, and the two of you looked about ready to clobber each other earlier. Now, you boys be good to each other, you hear? You’re father and son. Don’t forget how precious that is, all right? That’s it. I’ll go and get your food going.”
After Martha left, they sat in silence for a few moments.
“Dad, I didn’t ask you to breakfast so we could squabble about Rox. I wanted to catch up. Let you know about a job opportunity that’s come up.”
His dad reached across the table and patted his hands.
“I know, son. I just tend to get a little worked up where Roxie’s concerned. Did I tell you I ran into her parents the other day? Rich and Julia have been vacationing over at the Pacific View Resort for the past week.”
Joe’s brow furrowed. “That’s strange. Rox hasn’t mentioned it.”
“That’s because Roxie doesn’t know they’re here. They haven’t bothered to stop by Comfort Food, let alone call Roxie to inform her they’re in town.”
Disgust turned his stomach. “Why the hell wouldn’t they call her?”
“‘Because we’ve been so busy,’” his father mimicked with air quotes. “Apparently, yoga, massages, golf, and wine tasting take upsomuch time. And do you knowwhereI saw them?”
Joe shook his head.
“The ferry dock. They were leaving. Their stay at Pacific View was done, and they were heading back to Arizona or New Mexico or wherever the hell it is they live now. The little shits had to have walked right past Roxie’s shop on the way to the ferry. And did they bother to stop in to say hi? No.”
Joe could see why his father was so furious. He felt the same burning anger. However, he also wasn’t surprised. Roxie’s parents had always been neglectful. For as long as Joe could remember, the world had revolved around Rich and Julia Jameson. If Roxie’s schedule happened to fit in, then great. If not? Oh well.
His heart ached for Roxie. A long time ago, she’d claimed she’d stopped caring, that she knew her parents’ interest in her ran about as deep as... well, it simply didn’t run deep. But if she found out that her folks had been in town—for a whole damn week—it would hurt her. She’d never admit it out loud, but he knew her better than he knew himself.
“I don’t think you should tell her. It’ll only upset her.”
“I agree.” His dad sighed. “I know you don’t fully understand why Rich and Julia make me so damn mad, but one day you will. When you have your own kids, you will.” He shook his head and scrubbed his hands over his face, and the gesture was so familiar, Joe couldn’t help but smile.
“Dad, I know how much you care about Roxanne, and that’s what matters.” He met his father’s gaze. “She means a lot to me, and I promise you that I’m going to do everything I can to keep her safe.”
