Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 728(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Robert dropped his head to his palms. He couldn’t help wondering if Autumn knew. Most likely not, since she hadn’t called. She wouldn’t like this one bit either. The weight of Landon’s hand came to rest on his shoulder, giving a gentle, comforting squeeze.
“Can you stop the sale?” Landon’s tone radiated concern. He had to understand what this would do to him. Since Landon had entered his life, he had been able to push all his grief aside, believing in the greater good and circle of life theories. At the idea of his father’s legacy being sold to the highest bidder, he couldn’t help but feel he’d let his fathers down again.
Stop the sale? How could he do such a thing? Robert looked up at Landon. “And what? Buy La Bella Luna myself? And do what with it?” His heartbeat picked up as he said the words.
“I don’t know.” Landon crossed his arms over his chest, eyes narrowed as if he were in deep thought, trying to find the solution. “If you buy it though, it stays in the family.”
Robert pushed back in his seat. All right, he’d bite. Play this game of back and forth, maybe a solution would present itself. “Then it’ll certainly run into the ground. My father tried to run the restaurant after we moved, but it’s not that kind of place or atmosphere. It’s different there. It’s a restaurant that needs the owner inside the dining room, remembering the community, learning their habits, and serving to them. The owner needs to be in the kitchen, demanding excellence in every plate served. I can’t do that from DC.”
“What about the chef I met when we were there?” Landon asked as Robert started bouncing his leg. He hadn’t wanted to be critical of Rodney’s hire, but Robert had never warmed to the merits of Chef Pacino. She didn’t have the precision to create a full masterpiece in every meal she served. Her plates lacked that something special, maybe appearance, maybe the hint of a unique blend. Robert had never taken the time to pinpoint the problem.
Instead of voicing his real opinion, he stuck to the small list he could bullet point about Pacino. “She doesn’t have the people skills to run the front end and barely knows English. It would never work.” Robert got to his feet, moving past Landon into the living room. His heart hurt at the prospect of La Bella Luna leaving their family. He’d wondered about the wisdom of adding the dance floor to an already crowded dining room. For Robert, it took away from the cozy feel of the restaurant. Maybe it had been Rodney’s way of trying to bring in new customers.
His mind raced. Autumn was already spread too thin. She spent a lot of time going between DC and Minnesota. Cam didn’t have the time or people skills to jump in and help.
“You know how to run a restaurant. You said you watched Paulie and your dad work. You could do it. I know you could,” Landon said quietly behind him.
“Not from here…” Robert turned, stating his current thoughts. Landon cut him off, turning to pace away from him, walking the length of the living room.
“You could move there. I know you’re only here because of me.” Landon’s words had his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn’t imagine being without Landon.
“Could you quit and go with me at this point?” Had Landon meant he would go too? That didn’t make sense with the fight Landon had put up over retiring with the military. To Robert, it was clear that Landon didn’t need to work ever again. He owed Landon the world. Hell, his husband worked hard enough keeping their mobile restaurant going four days a week, but Landon had stayed firm about his career choice and the benefits they both would receive once he retired. They had a little more than two years to go before this assignment came to an end. Landon would retire, and they could be free of the constant hustle of the DC area, forever.
Finally, when Landon turned to face Robert, he saw something on Landon’s face akin to the uncertainty weighing on his own heart. “We could make it work. With how successful you’ve been with the taco stand, it’s the natural progression that you go to a brick and mortar location. La Bella Luna’s perfect.”
Desperation had his head automatically shaking as he moved into Landon. Those words weren’t right. They caused confusion, and he gripped Landon’s forearms, not wanting to let go. “I’m not leaving you, Landon. I don’t even think I could. I’m staying right here with you.”
Landon visibly swallowed before he said, “The list came out for Master Sergeant today. I was on it.” Landon’s voice held a solemn note as he muttered what should have been celebratory news.