Page 129 of Callahan

Brian chimed in. “Nah, that fucker never works.”

“That’s what I hear!”

The smile was still on my face when I asked, “So other than trying to get me fired, why are you calling?”

“I wanted to let you know my GPS said I should be arriving at the address you sent in exactly…” he paused like he was doublechecking. “Thirty-six minutes.”

“Provided we get this gardening dispute that we’re headed to settled in a reasonable amount of time, I should be able tomeet you there. Otherwise, you can swing by Clay’s Diner on Main Street and grab something to eat until we’re done.”

“Let me know in a half-hour what it’s looking like, and we’ll go from there.”

Brian replied for me.

“Fortunately for your brother, he hasn’t had to deal with Wes and David, the gardeners in question, before. Unfortunately for me, this is an annual springtime occurrence between the two. I can almost guarantee we willnotbe done in thirty minutes. So, you should probably just plan on meeting at the diner.”

My brother’s voice came through the speaker. “Where’s this bakery you were staying at?”

“It’s on the same street, a block up. Donotgo in there without me.”

I immediately regretted saying it the second the words passed my lips because that was precisely what he was going to do now.

“Why? Are you worried she’ll be awestruck by how handsome I am and realize I’m the better Callahan brother?”

“Yes, exactly. You’re onto me. There’s no getting anything past you, big brother.”

“Don’t worry—I’ll talk you up.”

“Orrrr, you could just stay at the diner until we get there.”

“Normally, I’d agree but the fact that you don’t want me to go there so badly, makes me wanna go there.”

“What I meant was, Ireallydon’t want you to go to the diner.”

“Okay, then I won’t. I’ll meet you at the bakery instead. See you later!”

Before I could argue, the dick hung up.

****

Lainey

I knew exactly who the stranger was the second he walked in the bakery’s door. His swagger alone gave him away—it was identical to his little brother’s. But when he approached the counter and I saw how much they looked alike, there was no doubt in my mind who I was waiting on.

He studied the day’s selection behind the glass, and I offered, “Your brother’s favorite is the blueberry tart or a croissant.”

He didn’t seem surprised that I knew who he was while he made a point of looking me up and down as far as the counter would allow. Finally, he drawled, “Well, he obviously has good taste. I’ll have one of each.”

The cocky grin must also be a familial trait because they shared that, too.

I gave it right back and winked at him when I said, “Coming right up. Do you want something to drink with that? We have coffee, tea, and sodas.”

“I’ve been driving for two days; I’m kind of coffee-d out. I’ll just have a Coke and some water.”

As he paid, he glanced around the almost-empty bakery, then asked, “Can you spare a little time and sit with me?”

****

Adam

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