Page 21 of Protecting What Is Mine

9

Mollie

The look on Hank’s face as he steps down from his truck and walks toward my car isn’t exactly what I’d envisioned when I decided to surprise him. Thankfully, when I climb out of the driver’s seat his body relaxes and his scowl lifts into a smile.

“I didn’t recognize your car.” Hank pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I pull back, just enough so I can look him in the eye. “You’ve been burning the candle from both ends for a while now—and after the way things ended the other night, well, I sort of wanted an excuse to see you. So, I thought I might surprise you with a good homemade breakfast. I hope this is okay.”

Hank’s eyes dance as I explain my motives. “Yeah, this is definitely okay. Come on inside.” He takes my hand and begins to lead me toward the house.

“I didn’t know what you’d have on hand, so I brought groceries. I’ll just grab them from the car.”

Hank stops and takes his hat off to rub his head. “Damn girl. I have to tell you, you continue to impress.” He smiles as he walks back to the car to retrieve the supplies. When we reach the front porch, Hank abruptly stops and turns, shifting the bag of groceries in his arms. “Now, uh…keep in mind that I’m a single man…who wasn’t expecting company, so just don’t judge too harshly. Okay?”

I laugh and nudge him forward. “I make no such promise.”

The house is nice—if not a little bare, but certainly better than I expect. Hank drops the bag on the kitchen table and offers to give me a tour, but after yawning for the fourth or fifth time since he arrived, I choose to get straight to work.

“Now, first things first. You have a seat and relax, mister.” Hank sits at the table, so we can chat while I work—just like he does at Belle’s. Out of habit, I start a pot of coffee brewing while I chop up fresh green peppers, onions, and mushrooms for our omelets and potatoes for the hash browns. When the coffee is ready, I pour a cup for Hank and myself and then take a seat across from him while the oil in the pan heats up. “Wait! I didn't think about you needing to rest. Should you maybe switch to juice?” I indicate the steaming cup in front of him.

“Nah. Anymore, coffee barely keeps me steady.” Hank smiles. “Guess that’s a pretty good sign I may have a problem, huh?”

“You sure it won’t keep you up?”

Hank shakes his head. “Not a chance.”

I blow at the steam rising from my cup. “How’s your brother? Still getting better with each day?”

Hank doesn’t respond. When I look up, I see him staring off into the corner of the kitchen. “Hey. You falling asleep on me?” I joke.

“Huh? No, no. I’m sorry, what’d you say?”

“Nothing. I was just asking how your brother’s doing, is all. Did something happen? Is that what has you distracted?”

“With Chet? Oh no. He’s doing alright. Hell, better than alright, all things considered. The doctor came in before I left and was talking about releasing him soon, given the progress he’s making.”

I place my hand on his. “That’s wonderful! Your family must be ecstatic.”

Hank half-heartedly responds. “Oh yeah. It’s great.” But the look in his eye tells me he’s got something else on his mind.

“Hey.” I stand to get back to the stove and start the potatoes frying. “What is it? What’s going on in there?”

Hank hesitates. “Nothing. It’s just…do you…by chance, know my younger brother, Leo?”

“I know of him.” I stop and think back. “But I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”

Hank rolls his eyes. “Yeah. Everybody around these parts knows of him. But the two of you never met?”

“Hmmm. Wait a sec. He wasn’t in the marching band, was he?” I joke.

Hank bursts into laughter. “Ha. No. I don’t believe he ever was.”

The pan sizzles and pops when I scrape the fresh slices of spuds into the hot oil. “Well then, outside of the possibility of me taking his order at the diner, I don’t think our paths would have ever crossed. Why do you ask?”

“No reason really. It’s just, well…he dropped by last night.”

“The hospital? I didn’t know he was still around here.”

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