Page 30 of Return By Fire

“I think the closest Kevin ever came to misbehaving was when we went to Chick Fil A after a particularly awful doctor’s appointment.”

“What happened?” Jed leans forward, interest apparent.

“Kevin refused—foot stomping in socks, mind you—to come out of the play area. He’s a smart beast. He knew his mother wasn’t a fan of heights.”

“How did I never know that about her? I’ve known her for over eleven years!”

“She hides it well. She juts her jaw out like this.” I mimic my sister and Jed howls.

“The beard adds a lot.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her. Want to hear the rest?”

“I sure do. What did she do?”

“Kara had to climb the ladder after him because I weighed too much. When Kevin realized she was actually coming up, he got this ‘Oh, shit. I’m doomed look’ on his face.”

Jed is wiping his eyes with his napkin. “Then what?”

“She hooked him by the back of his pants—quite possibly giving him the greatest mom wedgie ever—before elegantly sliding down the slide. When she stood up with him in her arms, the whole restaurant was on its feet, applauding her.” I swallow a drink of tea at the memory.

But it’s Jed’s face that captivates me. His eyes are darting around frantically at the families and dates. I can practically feel the wheels turning. I reach across the table and lay my hand on his forearm. “What is it?”

“Hook... ladder. This place.”

I try to make sense of it, but I end up giving in. “Sorry, Jed, you lost me there.”

His arm twists under mine so he’s gripping mine back. “I’ve been working with a Realtor to try to find a location for a new bar—to build something similar to Smith’s Brewhouse only here in Florida.”

“The idea makes sense, but, Jed, Barbara Jean’s isn’t a bar. It’s a family restaurant. I mean, a hurricane hits and whether this place is damaged is reported in the news. It’s an institution.”

“You’re not getting it.”

I squeeze his arm. “Then explain it to me. I’m not familiar with the service industry other than the fact I like to eat.”

He smiles that smile and my belly flip-flops. “I am familiar with it. It’s like what your sister did that day with Kevin. You don’t need a brewhouse, you need a Hook and Ladder.”

“A place where adults can go down slides?” I’m curiously intrigued by the thought.

“No, but not a bad idea either. You need a place where no one blinks if your kid climbs the walls. You need to feel comfortable climbing a ladder to use a hook maneuver, all while eating some of the best damn food in the city. Hook and Ladder.” He waves his arm as if to emphasize his point. “Why do you think this place is so successful? It doesn’t blink when a kid tosses their food in the water, whereas most places would be like ‘Off with your head!’”

My brows go skyward. “Off with your head? Now that sounds a bit more Medieval Knights.”

He winks. “I’m a bit of a jester, Dean. You should know that about me.”

I study him for a long moment before I disagree. “No. You’re no man’s fool, Jed. I’d bet the deck on it.”

He licks his lips, drawing my attention to them. Then his blue eyes sparkle. “So, what do you think? Hook and Ladder? Would that be the kind of place you’d eat at?”

I know what he’s asking, so I give him the truth. “Kevin would too, Jed. Field of Dreams the shit out of that place and do it soon.”

His smile is my reward.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It’s been six weeks since I first had lunch with Kara and Dean.

Six weeks since I sailed from where my boat was berthed.

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