Page 45 of Bad to the Bone
“I’m not sure I’d go quite that far.” Andy clapped Alex on the shoulder. “But thank you again.”
Most of the council members and audience had left the council chamber when Willis Hembree approached Alex, Ricky Lee, and Crae. “Thank you for your vote,” Alex said, offering his hand.
Willis clasped it in both of his. “I couldn’t in good faith share any information with you about Odell’s finances, though I have to say that your questions raised some doubts in my own mind that influenced my vote. But I also want to tell you how much I respect your courage and your honesty tonight. I wish I’d had it when I was your age.” He blinked, as if fighting back tears, and lowered his voice. “Charles Adair was more than just my business partner. He and I were together for more than thirty-five years, and we could never let anyone find out. I would give anything now to be able to walk down the street just holding his hand.”
Alex found tears prickling his own eyes and squeezed Willis’s hand. “I’m so sorry. But you had thirty-five years of knowing that he loved you. That has to count for something.”
“And it did.” Willis nodded and wiped at his eyes. “I hope the same for the two of you.” Alex didn’t have the heart to tell him that their relationship would only last as long as Ricky Lee remained in Freeland. He smiled instead, and Willis nodded again and walked away.
“Congratulations on winning the fight,” Ricky Lee said when only he and Crae remained with Alex in the council chamber. “Can you trade with Alanna again tomorrow? We need a special dinner to celebrate.”
“She’d probably say yes, but you’ve eaten at every restaurant in town by now,” Alex said with a laugh. “I’m not sure you can consider any of them particularly special.”
“Then I’ll just have to make you a special dinner at the hotel.”
“You can cook?” Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“I’ve had to fend for myself ever since my mother died,” Ricky Lee reminded him. “And I’ve come a long way from SpaghettiO’s and sliced hot dogs.”
“Can I trust him?” Alex asked Crae.
“No, but he really is a good cook.”
“All right, then. I’ll check with Alanna and let you know for sure when we run tomorrow.”
“Tell her it will be a night to remember,” Ricky Lee promised.
Anticipating the evening that would follow their dinner, Alex didn’t doubt that at all.
