Page 19 of Flippin' Cowboy
A large hand-lettered sign taped to the diner’s old-fashioned glass front door read, “CLOSED for a special event tonight. See you tomorrow!”
Nick’s spirit sank as he pushed it open and ushered Kegan inside. He’d been hoping for a private meeting with Karla and Winnie.
Instead, theReviving Snowberry Springsproduction crew crowded the place, along with what looked like a selected group of background extras. Nick spotted Mrs. Snowberry, Karla, and Winnie sitting on one end of a long table in the middle of the dining room.
Kegan reached for Nick’s hand and clung to it. “All the tables are full,” he observed plaintively.
“Don’t worry,” Nick told him. “We’ll just pull up a couple of chairs and sit with those ladies over there.” He pointed at the three women with his chin. “Would you like to meet the people I’m working with on this new project?”
“Yeah!” Kegan tugged at Nick’s hand, leading him over to the table.
“Nick, I’m so glad you joined us,” Karla said warmly, rising from her seat. She smiled down at Kegan. “Hey there, I’m Karla. What’s your name?”
“Kegan,” he mumbled shyly.
“Hi, Kegan. I’m Winnie. Is Nick your dad?” Winnie asked, turning in her chair to address Kegan.
Nick tried his damnedest not to notice how the movement molded her tight, long-sleeved pullover over her generous chest. He hadn’t noticed her figure earlier, because she’d been bundled in a thick winter coat.
Kegan nodded.
“It’s really nice to meet you,” she said, exuding genuine warmth. “Do you like macaroni and cheese?”
Kegan nodded again.
“Well, this is my sister’s restaurant, and she makes the world’s best mac and cheese,” Winnie said, with the air of someone imparting a secret. “You’ll have to try it.”
Kegan brightened. Nick felt relieved that whatever Winnie thought of him, at least she wasn’t going to take it out on his son.
“And I’m Winnie’s Grandma Abigail,” Mrs. Snowberry said. “How old are you, Kegan?”
“I’m six and a half,” he announced proudly.
“Oh, so you’re here to help your dad with his important meeting?” Mrs. Snowberry asked. “Would you like to come and sit here next to me?”
One of the younger crew members, probably a production assistant, hurriedly dragged two chairs over to the table, and everyone scooted over to make room.
But before they could seat themselves, Karla said, “Hold on a second. Nick, would you be willing to leave and come back in, so that we can film your entrance?” Her dark eyes rested on Kegan. “And would it be okay if we filmed your boy, too?”
Nick nodded. “Sure. Whatever you need from me.”
He reminded himself that no one had forced him to show up here tonight. He was the one who’d decided that working with Winnie-fucking-Snowberry and Karla was the price he was willing to pay for the lovely old inn and all the other historic buildings in this town that needed him to save them.
And for that, he would go along with the fakery of reality TV and make nice with the celebrity house flipper he despised.In for a penny, in for a pound, he thought.
He ruffled his son’s hair. “Hey, Keeg, do you want to be on TV with me?”
“As Spider-Man?” the boy asked eagerly.
“Not this time,” Nick told him regretfully. “Ms. Karla here wants us to be ourselves.”
“Okay.” Kegan looked disappointed.
“You’re Peter Parker in this scene, and you have to hide your superhero secret identity in public,” Winnie suggested.
“Oh!” Kegan brightened. “I can do that!”
Nick gritted his teeth.Why the hell is she suddenly being so nice? Is it because she thinks she’s won against me?
