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“Did you play with anyone I know?”
“I don’t think so.”
She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, a clear sign she was getting annoyed with his evasiveness. And really, what was his goal here? She’d asked because she cared, not because she was trying to hold something over his head.
“To be honest, I told Ronnie I’d like to do it again. I can’t remember the last time I had such a fun afternoon.”
“That’s awesome!” The genuine joy in her voice touched his heart.
“And I’ve been thinking,” he continued, unable to resist the excitement in her tone, “maybe Rose is right.”
“Uh, what?” Lanie glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Could you say that again? She’ll kill me if I don’t get a recording.”
He ignored her antics. “Just that I need to take better care of myself and find a better balance in my life.”
“Rose isn’t the only one who’s been saying that.”
It took effort not to roll his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. But the problem is the timing. There’s so much going on right now.”
“Maybe that’s the point,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
Her lips twisted to the side as if she was debating how to answer his question. “Health issues often show up when our body is trying to tell us to slow down. If it waited until we weren’t stressed, it would kind of defeat the purpose, right?” She glanced at him. “I know you’re worried about the firm and the wedding, but it’s not as catastrophic as it once was. I’ve been looking over your financial situation—”
“Again?”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “You’re the one who gave me access to your accounts.”
That was true, though he’d been reluctant to do so. Still, it had freed up some of his time to allow her to take a look at things while he focused on the stuff no one else could do.
“Anyway,” she continued when he didn’t respond, “Sandra has booked you a few new clients that I don’t think she’s discussed with you.”
“Like who?”
“Our old neighbor Cassandra wants to have a will drawn up,” Lanie said.
He stared at her. “Really? I didn’t know she had anyone to leave anything to.”
“I don’t know the specifics.” She shrugged. “But she’s lived in that house all our lives. I imagine it’s paid off by now and is probably worth a small fortune.”
“Who else?”
“Nate’s parents want wills as well. His father had that heart attack not long after Mom died.” Her lips quirked up. “Though I suppose it’s more Nate’s mom who will be dragging his dad in. And Bea is thinking of taking on a partner for the diner.”
“Wow, I thought she was going to sell it.”
“So did we all, but she’s not ready to give up. She seems to be hoping one of her nephews will be interested in it when they’re older.”
A moment later, they pulled into the parking lot of the law firm. Steven unbuckled his seat belt and waited while Lanie pulled his wheelchair from the trunk and came around to his side.
“I hope what I told you alleviates some of your stress.”
“It does and it doesn’t.” Steven accepted her hand and shuffled out of the car and into the chair.
Her brow furrowed. “Why do you say that?”
He sighed. How can I explain this in a way that doesn’t sound like I’m ungrateful to her, Sandra, or the town?
