Page 39 of Trouble Walked In

Her eyebrows rose. “Rosie’s Pale Ale Goggles?”

He laughed and took a sip. He’d expected somethinggrainy and gritty, but it was smooth and silky and reminded him of apple cider. “This is pretty good.”

“You sound surprised,” Lizzie said.

“I am. The way this place looks on the outside, I thought it would be dark and desperate on the inside.” He looked around at the rusted sheet metal siding and the bawdy beer signs. “Have you ever been here?”

She shook her head. “It’s too out of the way for me.”

“So you admit you were trying to get me lost out here.” Renic smiled to make sure she knew he was teasing.

“I admit nothing.” Her lips quirked up in a half-smile that put a twinkle in her eyes.

A young waitress stopped at their table and smiled. “You ready to order?”

“Burger and fries, and another of these please,” Renic said. He tapped the half-empty bottle of pale ale in front of him.

“Same,” Lizzie said.

“Glad you got a table,” the waitress said. “If it was Saturday this place’d be packed. Jacob always draws a crowd, but he wasn’t supposed to be here today. He’s filling in for Sonja.” The waitress put a small pad of paper and a tiny golf pencil down on the table. “If you have a request just write it on this and I’ll get it to him.”

The waitress moved on to the next table, handing out paper and pencils to everyone on her way to the kitchen.

Renic leaned back in his chair and took a drink. It felt good to sit back and relax for a change. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to do this.

Lizzie took one long pull off her own beer, then set the bottle down. “Okay.”

She kept her gaze on the young man on stage, so he couldn’t read the look in her eyes, but the way she said the word sounded like a concession.

“Okay?” he prompted.

She glanced at him and nodded. “I don’t like that Della ran away from her obligations. But I also don’t like that she’s obviously having a hard time working through something, and it drives me crazy that I don't know what it is. I’ve reasoned with her, I’ve begged, I’ve threatened, I’ve even made her clean toilets, but I’m getting nowhere.”

“Della cleaned toilets?” He tried to suppress a laugh, but failed. “That display of sisterly love and affection didn't convince her to come back?”

Her lips twitched and amusement played in her eyes. "Not yet. Maybe I should make her clean the Rose Room next.”

“Oh that’s just mean.” Renic shook his head. “And you say I’m the one bullying her.”

“I’m not bullying her. I’m helping her think through the consequences of her actions. I’m doing it because I love her. You’re doing it because you love your bottom line.”

“That’s harsh.” He grimaced.

“Harsh, but true. Admit it. If she skips out you're in real danger of losing the label.” She eyed him as if his answer would make or break everything.

He considered lying, diverting her attention, or not answering at all, but if she was finally willing to talk to him like a human again, he didn’t want to ruin it. “We’d take a hit, yes. I might have to do something drastic. But that’s not the only reason I’m here.”

Lizzie nodded and leaned back in her chair looking satisfied.

He breathed a quiet sigh of relief at having passed her test of character.

“Okay, I’m willing to let you talk to her.” She sighed. “Lord knows someone besides her big sister needs to trygetting through to her, because I sure haven’t. She always listens to you whether I like it or not.”

He tried his best to hide the surge of triumph, but the sharp flicker of fire in her eyes told him he was unsuccessful.

“You listen to me, Jackson Renic. When I say talk to her, I meanhelpher find herown way.Don’t impose yours. Deal?”

He nodded and held up his nearly empty bottle. “Deal.”

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