Page 29 of First Love, Second Draft

“Such a shame.”

“Don’t I know it. I could’ve been making the big bucks, living the good life, but no. I chose to fight the good fight. Put this little town on the map.”

“You’re a good man, Abe McKinley.”

“They don’t make them like me anymore.”

“So humble.”

“Sohandsome.”

“So... so... full of it.” Noah shook his head, smiling. “How you been?”

Abe shrugged. “Living the dream, I guess.” He pointed to his ring finger. “Least that’s what Lizzy keeps telling me.”

“How’re the kids?”

“Good. Got another one on the way.”

Noah paused with his coffee halfway to his mouth. “No kidding?”

“Lizzy had to pick me up from the floor when she told me.” Abe shrugged. “But I guess you know what they say about making God laugh. He must’ve laughed pretty good when I had my vasectomy fourteen years ago because we planned to be done.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Wow. That’s pretty much the same thing my urologist said when I told him last week.”

Noah rested his elbows on the table and lifted his coffee mug up as a toast. “Well, congratulations.”

Abe grunted, but Noah could see the spark of joy in Abe’s eyes. “Diapers. Strollers. Man, who would’ve thought. Just hope I’ve got another season left in me.” His eyes narrowed on Noah. “Got any more seasons left in you?”

Noah scratched his beard. “Guess it all depends on Gracie.”

Lyla returned, saving him from having to elaborate. “Know what you want, honey?”

“Pancakes. Lots of them,” Abe answered.

She frowned. “Not you, honey. Him-honey.”

“Pancakes,” Noah said. “Lots of them.”

She grabbed the giant menus off the table and pretended to bop Noah and Abe on their heads. “You two are just as much trouble now as when you were fighting over Miss Gracie.”

Noah and Abe feigned innocent looks. This time she bopped them for real, then sauntered away.

“Speaking of Miss Gracie.” Abe leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Is that why you’re back? Came close to calling you a dozen times or better, but then Lizzy would tell me it wasn’t my business. Plus, I was pretty sure Gracie would kill me.”

“I get it. No worries. Matt called me.”

Abe fiddled with a sugar packet. “So what are you planning to do about it? I hate to say this, but honestly, you know... he’s not a bad guy. He and Gracie seem to get along real well even if he is a bit older. Part of me keeps expecting to hear she’ll be walking down the aisle again—”

“Whoa.” Noah lifted his hands as if Abe were suddenly pointing a gun at him. “What are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Is Gracie...” His voice grew hoarse as he lowered his hands to the table and leaned forward. “Is Gracie...” He didn’t even want to finish the sentence.

“Getting friendly with Luke? Yeah. Thought you knew.” Now Abe leaned forward, his voice all weird and raspy. “Something tells me you didn’t know.”

“Who’s Luke? And what do you mean my wife’sgetting friendlywith him?”

Abe dropped his crumpled sugar packet on the table and reached for another one. “Ex-wife. And honestly, he’s a good guy. I doubt you know him though. He only moved to the area a few months ago.”

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