Blue Moon Haven, page 23
“Oh, Todd.” She grabbed his wrist and tugged him into her arms, wrapping him in a tight hug, her tears flowing freely now. “You don’t owe me any apologies or explanations. I just want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
A sob escaped him and he hugged her back, pressing his wet cheek tightly to hers.
“Todd, come on.” Zane opened the driver’s-side door of his truck. “It’s time we hit the road.”
“I meant it when I said you could come home anytime you want. Really anytime,” she stressed.
“Okay,” he mumbled against her skin.
Before she knew it, he’d slipped from her arms, hugged Seth and started walking toward Zane’s truck, one of his bags slung over his shoulder.
“Todd?” Despite her efforts, her voice broke and she was unable to keep her words steady. She waited until he stopped and turned to face her, seeking out his eyes. “I love you, you know? And I’ve always wanted you. In my heart, you were always mine. Always will be.”
A strong sob shook his shoulders, and he ran off, disappearing around Zane’s truck and climbing into the passenger seat. Zane gave a halfhearted wave, then climbed in his truck, started the engine and pulled away.
Kelly watched them leave, staring at the dust kicking up behind the tires as the truck moved along the driveway and disappeared from view.
Seth’s strong arm wrapped around her and pulled her close, holding her tightly to his chest. He kissed the top of her head as heavy sobs racked her chest and shoulders. Several minutes later, when her sobs had slowed, he whispered, “What can I do, Kelly?”
Throat sore and eyes puffy, she lifted her head from his chest and forced a smile. “You can help me make tomorrow night the best grand opening possible for Mae Bell. We can at least give her a happy ending.”
* * *
Seth plugged in the popcorn machine, then flipped three switches to turn on the light, kettle motor and kettle heat. The low hum of the motor warming up filled the concessions building as he retrieved pouches of oil, salt and popcorn kernels from a box that sat on the counter nearby.
“How are things looking in here?”
At the sound of Kelly’s voice, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled. She stood on the other side of the counter, lifting a large box toward him.
He set down the popcorn fixings, took the box from her and opened the top. “Going well so far. The popcorn machine came right on, like it did during the trial run this morning, the hot dog steamer is fired up and ready to go and”—he tapped the countertop—“there’s about ten thousand pounds of sugar-laden homemade candy stocked in the candy bins, courtesy of Tully.”
Kelly smiled. “Is she here already?”
“She wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He pointed at the field behind him, visible through the open windows of the concessions building. “She went to her car to get the extra toilet paper, soap and paper towels I asked her to pick up for the restrooms. And she said she has one more surprise for you that she brought along as well. She’s bringing it in as soon as she finishes stocking the restrooms.”
Kelly blew out a breath. “Oh, she’s a godsend. Both of you are. I never would’ve had time to pick up Mae Bell and Mr. Haggart from the nursing home and finish setting everything up in time for the gate to open.”
“You ask and it’ll be granted.” He winked. “I’m always eager to please.”
She laughed and leaned over the counter, kissing his cheek. “I know you are.”
His hands stilled over the box as he savored her soft laugh. It was good to hear the sound again and see a genuine smile on her face tonight. For several hours this morning, he’d wondered if Blue Moon Haven Drive-In’s grand opening would even occur, given the state Kelly had been in the night before.
Last night, after Zane had driven off with Todd and Daisy, he’d stood in the field and held Kelly in his arms while she’d cried for almost an hour. Eventually they’d sat down in the field and watched the sun set, her tears drying on her face and a desolate expression settling over her features. She’d stood slowly as night had fallen, squared her shoulders and announced that the grand opening would continue as planned, insisting they start working on preparations first thing in the morning.
Happy to see her focus on something other than her pain, he was eager to help with anything, so long as it eased her grief and took her mind off Todd and Daisy’s absence.
“They would’ve loved to be here,” she said now, her smile dimming. “Todd really wanted to see the look on Mae Bell’s face when we started the first film.” Her smile disappeared altogether. “I wonder what they’re doing now. If they’re safe and happy?”
Seth walked around the counter and squeezed her shoulders gently. “I’m sure they’re safe and sound in Zane’s new home, settling in now.” Or at least he hoped that was the case. “I know you miss them, and that it’s almost impossible to believe, but I promise you that things will get better over time.”
A small smile returned to her face. “I’m glad to hear you say that. At one time, I wondered if you ever would.”
He laughed. “Yeah. I was pretty tough to be around for a while, but I’m glad you showed me another way of approaching life.” His laughter trailed away, his tone growing somber. “And that’s what we’re going to do now. We’re going to move ahead as planned—just like you wanted—and make this the best night possible for Mae Bell, right?”
She nodded. “Right.”
He turned back to the box and tapped one of the open flaps. “What’s in here?”
Kelly smoothed her hand over her hair. “Popcorn bags. A ton of them. Should be enough to get us through the next month at least.”
“Good.” Seth walked back around the counter and started loading the popcorn ingredients into the machine. “Let me get this going and I’ll go see if Tully needs help stocking the restrooms.” Kettle full, he lowered the lid and closed the popcorn machine. “Are Mae Bell and Mr. Haggart settled at their table of honor?”
“Yep.” Her eyebrows lifted as a mischievous smile appeared. “And so is Carl’s dad. Brighton was the first one here, and I made sure his place setting at the table of honor was right next to Mae Bell’s. He was already flirting up a storm when I headed in here to check on you.”
Seth grinned. “That, I got to see.”
Sure enough, Brighton Wellings was seated next to Mae Bell. One of his arms rested on the back of Mae Bell’s chair and the other held a glass of iced sweet tea that he tapped against the one Mae Bell held, toasting something he whispered against her ear.
Mae Bell laughed, her long silver hair spilling about her shoulders. “Brighton Wellings, you haven’t changed a bit.”
“I’m exactly the same as I was sixty years ago,” he said, waggling his eyebrows up and down. “Except now, I have more experience.”
Seth choked back a laugh as he approached the table. “Well, what do you think about the setup so far, Mae Bell?”
She closed her eyes and spread out her arms, the ice clinking in her glass. “It’s wonderful, Seth. Simply wonderful. You and Kelly have done a fantastic job. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful grand opening, and from the looks of things, I think we’re going to have a packed house.”
Seth nodded as he glanced toward the entrance of the drive-in. Cars had been lined up for almost half an hour now, awaiting the opening of the gate, and the line of cars stretched out as far as his eye could see down the main road before disappearing around a curve.
“We distributed flyers in every town within a hundred-mile radius,” Kelly said, joining him by the table. “We worked hard to get the word out. I think it all paid off.” A horn blared at the drive-in’s entrance and Kelly rubbed her hands together briskly. “And on that note, I think I should get on over to the ticket booth and start taking people’s money before they turn around and drive away.”
“Do you need me to take care of any last-minute details?” Seth asked.
“No.” She squeezed his arm and smiled. “You’ve done more than enough. Please tell Tully thank you for me and that I’ll catch up with her once I clear the cars out, okay?”
Seth nodded and watched her sprint across the field, her long brown hair fanning out behind her as she jogged.
“Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have her energy,” Mae Bell said. “Though being here tonight, seeing the drive-in back in business, takes me back to a time when I was full of energy, hopes and life.” She patted Seth’s hand and smiled at Brighton. “It’s so romantic out here. There’s nothing like a movie under the stars to get you dreaming again.”
Something fell onto the table with a clink. “And nothing like a good root beer to make it more palatable.” Seated on the other side of Brighton, Mr. Haggart tipped the bottle of root beer in his hand to his mouth and swigged back a mouthful, then motioned toward Seth. “You just keep ’em coming and I’ll be a paying customer every night you open.”
Seth smiled. “I’ll make sure it happens, Mr. Haggart.”
“Would you look at that?” Mae Bell said, her eyes widening. “I don’t know if all of those people will fit in here.”
For a moment, Seth wondered that, too, as he watched vehicle after vehicle enter the drive-in lot, drive to its respective projection screen and search for a parking space. Kelly’s hard work attracting customers had definitely paid off. She leaned out of the booth at the entrance, selling tickets as fast as she could; but as soon as she admitted one vehicle, another drove up to take its place, and as fast as the line moved, it continued to stretch out of sight down the main road.
“I’ll catch up with y’all a little later,” Seth said, striding off toward the entrance. “I’m gonna give Kelly a hand at the ticket booth.”
As he walked, his cell phone rang and Seth reached into his back pocket and pulled it out. He didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Is this Seth?”
“Yeah.” Seth tensed, his steps slowing as he recognized the voice on the other end of the line. “What’s wrong, Zane?”
“It’s nothing like that,” Zane said quietly. His voice sounded strained and subdued somehow. “But I need you to come out to the Glenville Motel, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Why?” Seth’s heart kicked against his ribs, his mind racing with possibilities he’d rather not face. “Has something happened to Todd or Daisy?”
“They’re fine,” he said quietly. “But it’d be good if you could make it out here tonight. Without Kelly, though. Just you.”
Seth dragged his teeth over his bottom lip. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
Zane was silent for a moment, then, his voice tight, said, “Todd will tell you when you get here. Can you make it out tonight?”
Seth spun around and started walking, his legs striding briskly across the field. “I’m on my way now.”
He ended the call and shoved the phone in his back pocket, breaking his stride long enough to stop by one of the restrooms connected to the concessions building where Tully was emerging, holding a roll of paper towels.
“Thanks for stocking the restrooms, Tully.” He hugged her, then squeezed her free hand and pointed toward the ticket booth at the drive-in’s entrance. “Do you mind giving Kelly a hand?”
Tully smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. I’m all finished up here.”
“Great, thanks.” He started walking again. “Do me a favor, please? Tell Kelly I had to go do something, but I’ll be back soon, okay?”
“No problem,” she called at his back. “But where are you going?”
Seth didn’t answer. Instead, he quickened his pace, almost jogging back to his house, where he unlocked his truck, hopped in and took off, counting the miles to Glenville and hoping Todd and Daisy were okay.
* * *
Seth had never been to the Glenville Motel before, but he found it easily enough after entering the city limits. It had only taken him fifteen minutes to get there—he’d made the drive in record time. He made a right and drove into the parking lot beneath the bright neon sign and parked by the front office.
He cut the engine, exited the truck and had strode halfway to the front office when someone called his name.
Zane leaned beside the door to room seven, holding a cigarette. “The kids are over here.”
Seth hesitated, then walked down the sidewalk toward Zane, stopping when he reached his side. “What’s going on? Are they okay?”
“Yeah.” Zane drew deep from his cigarette, blew out the smoke, then thumped the butt onto the sidewalk and ground the embers out with his heel. “Like I said on the phone, they’re fine.”
Seth frowned. “Then what’s this about? Why the urgency?”
Zane rolled his head to the side and jerked his thumb toward the red door beside him. “They’re ready. They didn’t even really unpack to begin with, so there wasn’t anything for them to do but wait for you to get here.”
Seth shook his head in confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking ab—”
“They don’t want to live with me.” Zane looked away and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Took Todd all night to muster up the courage to tell me—then he just came out with it while we were eating burgers this afternoon. Just blurted it out like he could barely bring himself to say it.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “Guess I should take that as a compliment of sorts.” He looked at Seth, a pained look in his eyes. “You know, he didn’t want to hurt my feelings and all? At least he has that much respect for me.”
Seth bit his lip, unsure of what to say. Inside, excitement surged through him, urging him to enter the motel room, sweep Todd and Daisy up in his arms, bundle them in the truck and take them back to Kelly before Zane could change his mind. But another part of him winced at the downtrodden expression on the other man’s face and the hurt in his eyes.
After losing Rachel, he knew the pain of losing a child all too well and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“I’m sorry, Zane,” he said softly. “Todd and Daisy have grown used to being with Kelly over the past months. They’ve settled in at Blue Moon and feel at home there. It’s hard for them to leave all that behind now, especially when they’re just now feeling secure.”
Zane was silent for a few moments. He tipped his head back against the concrete wall at his back and looked up at the stars, his brow creasing. “I couldn’t call her.” He rolled his head to the side again and met Seth’s eyes. “Kelly, I mean. It’s one thing for Todd and Daisy to ask to leave me and go back to her, but it’s another for me to have to call and admit she was right all along.” A crooked smile appeared on his face. “You too, come to think of it.”
Seth shook his head. “You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about, and neither I nor Kelly want you to disappear again. Todd and Daisy still need you in their lives, and you’re more than welcome to visit them whenever you’d like. There’s plenty of room at Blue Moon Haven and you’re always welcome.”
Zane dipped his head and murmured his thanks. “Tell Kelly I’ve already called the lawyer and asked for the paperwork to be drawn up for her to become the primary guardian. I’ll send her a copy as soon as I’ve signed it.” He motioned toward the door. “Go ahead. Let ’em know you’re here.” His halfhearted smile was full of irony . . . and pain. “They’ll be over the moon.”
Seth gripped Zane’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “Only a good dad would make this kind of sacrifice.”
His chin lifted, some of the pain receding, and he pushed off the wall and patted Seth’s back. “I’ve already said my goodbyes. Todd knows how to reach me if he needs me.”
With that, he sauntered off across the parking lot to a neighboring restaurant and walked inside.
Seth, barely able to contain his eagerness to see Todd and Daisy, opened the door and poked his head inside. Todd and Daisy sat on the edge of the bed with their backs to him, watching TV.
“Hey, y’all,” he called softly. “I hear you want to come back to Blue Moon just in time to see your first drive-in movie.”
Daisy squealed, scrambled off the bed and ran headfirst into Seth’s legs, wrapping her arms around his knees. “You came!”
Smiling, Seth bent, picked her up and propped her on his hip. “Of course, I did. I’ve never been happier to take a drive in my life.” He glanced at the bed where Todd, now standing, smiled a mile wide. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Todd grabbed one of his bags, slung it over his shoulder and headed for the door. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
Kelly dumped another scoop of popcorn into a bag, filling it to the very brim. “Here you go,” she said, handing it to a young boy standing on the other side of the concessions counter. “Enjoy your popcorn and the show.”
The boy smiled, evidently having lost a front baby tooth recently and lifted his chin as though to point it out. “Thanks.” He dug his hand into the bag, gathered up a handful of popcorn and shoved it into his mouth as he left, leaving a trail of popcorn behind him.
Kelly smiled and rubbed her forehead, her body aching in muscles she hadn’t realized she even possessed.
“Two snickerdoodles, one large popcorn and two sodas.” Tully, standing beside Kelly behind the counter, served another couple and waved as they left the counter, chatting. When the line finally cleared out, she slumped onto her elbows and blew out a breath. “Whew! Who knew we’d go through so much food so fast! It’s a good thing there’s only about an hour left in the movies; otherwise, we’d sell out of everything before the night was over.”
Kelly threw an arm around Tully’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Thank you so much for helping me out tonight. I wouldn’t have been able to pull all this off without you.”
And that was the honest-to-goodness truth.
After selling over two hundred tickets, Kelly had lost count and just focused on selling each ticket as fast as she could. Tully had shown up early on, pitching in and helping move the line faster but the relief they felt at having cleared the ticket line vanished as soon as Kelly caught sight of the people lining up at the concessions building.
A sob escaped him and he hugged her back, pressing his wet cheek tightly to hers.
“Todd, come on.” Zane opened the driver’s-side door of his truck. “It’s time we hit the road.”
“I meant it when I said you could come home anytime you want. Really anytime,” she stressed.
“Okay,” he mumbled against her skin.
Before she knew it, he’d slipped from her arms, hugged Seth and started walking toward Zane’s truck, one of his bags slung over his shoulder.
“Todd?” Despite her efforts, her voice broke and she was unable to keep her words steady. She waited until he stopped and turned to face her, seeking out his eyes. “I love you, you know? And I’ve always wanted you. In my heart, you were always mine. Always will be.”
A strong sob shook his shoulders, and he ran off, disappearing around Zane’s truck and climbing into the passenger seat. Zane gave a halfhearted wave, then climbed in his truck, started the engine and pulled away.
Kelly watched them leave, staring at the dust kicking up behind the tires as the truck moved along the driveway and disappeared from view.
Seth’s strong arm wrapped around her and pulled her close, holding her tightly to his chest. He kissed the top of her head as heavy sobs racked her chest and shoulders. Several minutes later, when her sobs had slowed, he whispered, “What can I do, Kelly?”
Throat sore and eyes puffy, she lifted her head from his chest and forced a smile. “You can help me make tomorrow night the best grand opening possible for Mae Bell. We can at least give her a happy ending.”
* * *
Seth plugged in the popcorn machine, then flipped three switches to turn on the light, kettle motor and kettle heat. The low hum of the motor warming up filled the concessions building as he retrieved pouches of oil, salt and popcorn kernels from a box that sat on the counter nearby.
“How are things looking in here?”
At the sound of Kelly’s voice, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled. She stood on the other side of the counter, lifting a large box toward him.
He set down the popcorn fixings, took the box from her and opened the top. “Going well so far. The popcorn machine came right on, like it did during the trial run this morning, the hot dog steamer is fired up and ready to go and”—he tapped the countertop—“there’s about ten thousand pounds of sugar-laden homemade candy stocked in the candy bins, courtesy of Tully.”
Kelly smiled. “Is she here already?”
“She wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He pointed at the field behind him, visible through the open windows of the concessions building. “She went to her car to get the extra toilet paper, soap and paper towels I asked her to pick up for the restrooms. And she said she has one more surprise for you that she brought along as well. She’s bringing it in as soon as she finishes stocking the restrooms.”
Kelly blew out a breath. “Oh, she’s a godsend. Both of you are. I never would’ve had time to pick up Mae Bell and Mr. Haggart from the nursing home and finish setting everything up in time for the gate to open.”
“You ask and it’ll be granted.” He winked. “I’m always eager to please.”
She laughed and leaned over the counter, kissing his cheek. “I know you are.”
His hands stilled over the box as he savored her soft laugh. It was good to hear the sound again and see a genuine smile on her face tonight. For several hours this morning, he’d wondered if Blue Moon Haven Drive-In’s grand opening would even occur, given the state Kelly had been in the night before.
Last night, after Zane had driven off with Todd and Daisy, he’d stood in the field and held Kelly in his arms while she’d cried for almost an hour. Eventually they’d sat down in the field and watched the sun set, her tears drying on her face and a desolate expression settling over her features. She’d stood slowly as night had fallen, squared her shoulders and announced that the grand opening would continue as planned, insisting they start working on preparations first thing in the morning.
Happy to see her focus on something other than her pain, he was eager to help with anything, so long as it eased her grief and took her mind off Todd and Daisy’s absence.
“They would’ve loved to be here,” she said now, her smile dimming. “Todd really wanted to see the look on Mae Bell’s face when we started the first film.” Her smile disappeared altogether. “I wonder what they’re doing now. If they’re safe and happy?”
Seth walked around the counter and squeezed her shoulders gently. “I’m sure they’re safe and sound in Zane’s new home, settling in now.” Or at least he hoped that was the case. “I know you miss them, and that it’s almost impossible to believe, but I promise you that things will get better over time.”
A small smile returned to her face. “I’m glad to hear you say that. At one time, I wondered if you ever would.”
He laughed. “Yeah. I was pretty tough to be around for a while, but I’m glad you showed me another way of approaching life.” His laughter trailed away, his tone growing somber. “And that’s what we’re going to do now. We’re going to move ahead as planned—just like you wanted—and make this the best night possible for Mae Bell, right?”
She nodded. “Right.”
He turned back to the box and tapped one of the open flaps. “What’s in here?”
Kelly smoothed her hand over her hair. “Popcorn bags. A ton of them. Should be enough to get us through the next month at least.”
“Good.” Seth walked back around the counter and started loading the popcorn ingredients into the machine. “Let me get this going and I’ll go see if Tully needs help stocking the restrooms.” Kettle full, he lowered the lid and closed the popcorn machine. “Are Mae Bell and Mr. Haggart settled at their table of honor?”
“Yep.” Her eyebrows lifted as a mischievous smile appeared. “And so is Carl’s dad. Brighton was the first one here, and I made sure his place setting at the table of honor was right next to Mae Bell’s. He was already flirting up a storm when I headed in here to check on you.”
Seth grinned. “That, I got to see.”
Sure enough, Brighton Wellings was seated next to Mae Bell. One of his arms rested on the back of Mae Bell’s chair and the other held a glass of iced sweet tea that he tapped against the one Mae Bell held, toasting something he whispered against her ear.
Mae Bell laughed, her long silver hair spilling about her shoulders. “Brighton Wellings, you haven’t changed a bit.”
“I’m exactly the same as I was sixty years ago,” he said, waggling his eyebrows up and down. “Except now, I have more experience.”
Seth choked back a laugh as he approached the table. “Well, what do you think about the setup so far, Mae Bell?”
She closed her eyes and spread out her arms, the ice clinking in her glass. “It’s wonderful, Seth. Simply wonderful. You and Kelly have done a fantastic job. I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful grand opening, and from the looks of things, I think we’re going to have a packed house.”
Seth nodded as he glanced toward the entrance of the drive-in. Cars had been lined up for almost half an hour now, awaiting the opening of the gate, and the line of cars stretched out as far as his eye could see down the main road before disappearing around a curve.
“We distributed flyers in every town within a hundred-mile radius,” Kelly said, joining him by the table. “We worked hard to get the word out. I think it all paid off.” A horn blared at the drive-in’s entrance and Kelly rubbed her hands together briskly. “And on that note, I think I should get on over to the ticket booth and start taking people’s money before they turn around and drive away.”
“Do you need me to take care of any last-minute details?” Seth asked.
“No.” She squeezed his arm and smiled. “You’ve done more than enough. Please tell Tully thank you for me and that I’ll catch up with her once I clear the cars out, okay?”
Seth nodded and watched her sprint across the field, her long brown hair fanning out behind her as she jogged.
“Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have her energy,” Mae Bell said. “Though being here tonight, seeing the drive-in back in business, takes me back to a time when I was full of energy, hopes and life.” She patted Seth’s hand and smiled at Brighton. “It’s so romantic out here. There’s nothing like a movie under the stars to get you dreaming again.”
Something fell onto the table with a clink. “And nothing like a good root beer to make it more palatable.” Seated on the other side of Brighton, Mr. Haggart tipped the bottle of root beer in his hand to his mouth and swigged back a mouthful, then motioned toward Seth. “You just keep ’em coming and I’ll be a paying customer every night you open.”
Seth smiled. “I’ll make sure it happens, Mr. Haggart.”
“Would you look at that?” Mae Bell said, her eyes widening. “I don’t know if all of those people will fit in here.”
For a moment, Seth wondered that, too, as he watched vehicle after vehicle enter the drive-in lot, drive to its respective projection screen and search for a parking space. Kelly’s hard work attracting customers had definitely paid off. She leaned out of the booth at the entrance, selling tickets as fast as she could; but as soon as she admitted one vehicle, another drove up to take its place, and as fast as the line moved, it continued to stretch out of sight down the main road.
“I’ll catch up with y’all a little later,” Seth said, striding off toward the entrance. “I’m gonna give Kelly a hand at the ticket booth.”
As he walked, his cell phone rang and Seth reached into his back pocket and pulled it out. He didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway. “Hello?”
“Is this Seth?”
“Yeah.” Seth tensed, his steps slowing as he recognized the voice on the other end of the line. “What’s wrong, Zane?”
“It’s nothing like that,” Zane said quietly. His voice sounded strained and subdued somehow. “But I need you to come out to the Glenville Motel, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Why?” Seth’s heart kicked against his ribs, his mind racing with possibilities he’d rather not face. “Has something happened to Todd or Daisy?”
“They’re fine,” he said quietly. “But it’d be good if you could make it out here tonight. Without Kelly, though. Just you.”
Seth dragged his teeth over his bottom lip. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”
Zane was silent for a moment, then, his voice tight, said, “Todd will tell you when you get here. Can you make it out tonight?”
Seth spun around and started walking, his legs striding briskly across the field. “I’m on my way now.”
He ended the call and shoved the phone in his back pocket, breaking his stride long enough to stop by one of the restrooms connected to the concessions building where Tully was emerging, holding a roll of paper towels.
“Thanks for stocking the restrooms, Tully.” He hugged her, then squeezed her free hand and pointed toward the ticket booth at the drive-in’s entrance. “Do you mind giving Kelly a hand?”
Tully smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. I’m all finished up here.”
“Great, thanks.” He started walking again. “Do me a favor, please? Tell Kelly I had to go do something, but I’ll be back soon, okay?”
“No problem,” she called at his back. “But where are you going?”
Seth didn’t answer. Instead, he quickened his pace, almost jogging back to his house, where he unlocked his truck, hopped in and took off, counting the miles to Glenville and hoping Todd and Daisy were okay.
* * *
Seth had never been to the Glenville Motel before, but he found it easily enough after entering the city limits. It had only taken him fifteen minutes to get there—he’d made the drive in record time. He made a right and drove into the parking lot beneath the bright neon sign and parked by the front office.
He cut the engine, exited the truck and had strode halfway to the front office when someone called his name.
Zane leaned beside the door to room seven, holding a cigarette. “The kids are over here.”
Seth hesitated, then walked down the sidewalk toward Zane, stopping when he reached his side. “What’s going on? Are they okay?”
“Yeah.” Zane drew deep from his cigarette, blew out the smoke, then thumped the butt onto the sidewalk and ground the embers out with his heel. “Like I said on the phone, they’re fine.”
Seth frowned. “Then what’s this about? Why the urgency?”
Zane rolled his head to the side and jerked his thumb toward the red door beside him. “They’re ready. They didn’t even really unpack to begin with, so there wasn’t anything for them to do but wait for you to get here.”
Seth shook his head in confusion. “I have no idea what you’re talking ab—”
“They don’t want to live with me.” Zane looked away and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Took Todd all night to muster up the courage to tell me—then he just came out with it while we were eating burgers this afternoon. Just blurted it out like he could barely bring himself to say it.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “Guess I should take that as a compliment of sorts.” He looked at Seth, a pained look in his eyes. “You know, he didn’t want to hurt my feelings and all? At least he has that much respect for me.”
Seth bit his lip, unsure of what to say. Inside, excitement surged through him, urging him to enter the motel room, sweep Todd and Daisy up in his arms, bundle them in the truck and take them back to Kelly before Zane could change his mind. But another part of him winced at the downtrodden expression on the other man’s face and the hurt in his eyes.
After losing Rachel, he knew the pain of losing a child all too well and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“I’m sorry, Zane,” he said softly. “Todd and Daisy have grown used to being with Kelly over the past months. They’ve settled in at Blue Moon and feel at home there. It’s hard for them to leave all that behind now, especially when they’re just now feeling secure.”
Zane was silent for a few moments. He tipped his head back against the concrete wall at his back and looked up at the stars, his brow creasing. “I couldn’t call her.” He rolled his head to the side again and met Seth’s eyes. “Kelly, I mean. It’s one thing for Todd and Daisy to ask to leave me and go back to her, but it’s another for me to have to call and admit she was right all along.” A crooked smile appeared on his face. “You too, come to think of it.”
Seth shook his head. “You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about, and neither I nor Kelly want you to disappear again. Todd and Daisy still need you in their lives, and you’re more than welcome to visit them whenever you’d like. There’s plenty of room at Blue Moon Haven and you’re always welcome.”
Zane dipped his head and murmured his thanks. “Tell Kelly I’ve already called the lawyer and asked for the paperwork to be drawn up for her to become the primary guardian. I’ll send her a copy as soon as I’ve signed it.” He motioned toward the door. “Go ahead. Let ’em know you’re here.” His halfhearted smile was full of irony . . . and pain. “They’ll be over the moon.”
Seth gripped Zane’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “Only a good dad would make this kind of sacrifice.”
His chin lifted, some of the pain receding, and he pushed off the wall and patted Seth’s back. “I’ve already said my goodbyes. Todd knows how to reach me if he needs me.”
With that, he sauntered off across the parking lot to a neighboring restaurant and walked inside.
Seth, barely able to contain his eagerness to see Todd and Daisy, opened the door and poked his head inside. Todd and Daisy sat on the edge of the bed with their backs to him, watching TV.
“Hey, y’all,” he called softly. “I hear you want to come back to Blue Moon just in time to see your first drive-in movie.”
Daisy squealed, scrambled off the bed and ran headfirst into Seth’s legs, wrapping her arms around his knees. “You came!”
Smiling, Seth bent, picked her up and propped her on his hip. “Of course, I did. I’ve never been happier to take a drive in my life.” He glanced at the bed where Todd, now standing, smiled a mile wide. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Todd grabbed one of his bags, slung it over his shoulder and headed for the door. “Let’s go home.”
* * *
Kelly dumped another scoop of popcorn into a bag, filling it to the very brim. “Here you go,” she said, handing it to a young boy standing on the other side of the concessions counter. “Enjoy your popcorn and the show.”
The boy smiled, evidently having lost a front baby tooth recently and lifted his chin as though to point it out. “Thanks.” He dug his hand into the bag, gathered up a handful of popcorn and shoved it into his mouth as he left, leaving a trail of popcorn behind him.
Kelly smiled and rubbed her forehead, her body aching in muscles she hadn’t realized she even possessed.
“Two snickerdoodles, one large popcorn and two sodas.” Tully, standing beside Kelly behind the counter, served another couple and waved as they left the counter, chatting. When the line finally cleared out, she slumped onto her elbows and blew out a breath. “Whew! Who knew we’d go through so much food so fast! It’s a good thing there’s only about an hour left in the movies; otherwise, we’d sell out of everything before the night was over.”
Kelly threw an arm around Tully’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Thank you so much for helping me out tonight. I wouldn’t have been able to pull all this off without you.”
And that was the honest-to-goodness truth.
After selling over two hundred tickets, Kelly had lost count and just focused on selling each ticket as fast as she could. Tully had shown up early on, pitching in and helping move the line faster but the relief they felt at having cleared the ticket line vanished as soon as Kelly caught sight of the people lining up at the concessions building.
