An Unexpected Family

“We’re willing to pay—”

Greg came out from the kitchen and stood next to her. “Yeah?”

“Greg, these are your uncles. Kory and Karl Dean.” Rose stood straighter when her son reached out for a handshake like the properly raised young man he was. She wanted them to see Greg’s face. He looked so much like Kurt, their brother. Karl and Kory were taking from blood, threatening their own family.

“Hello.”

“Greg.” Karl briefly shook hands, followed by Kory. Neither man met her son’s eyes. “Rose, you’ve got a week to decide.”

Shame on them! She stood ramrod straight until they unlocked the front door and walked out of the diner. Then she crumpled into a chair.

“Mom! You okay?”

“Yes.” She sounded weary, even to her own ears.

Cam came out from the kitchen, looking concerned. “Greg, will you do me a favor and grab three beef patties from the fridge and throw them on the grill?”

Greg didn’t move.

Rose hated to see the worried look on her son’s face and smiled. “Go ahead, honey. We might as well have lunch before meeting Grandma and Grandpa.”

Cam locked the front door and returned. “What was that all about?”

Rose needed to unload before she saw her parents and fell apart. They had texted her before the Deans came in that they were getting settled into a hotel room in the larger town across the bay. She didn’t want to add to their worries about her. Looking up at Cam, she didn’t have time to be choosy. If she didn’t air this one out, she’d cry.

Rose hated to cry, so she gave way to anger. “They are threatening to contest Linda’s will if I don’t agree to a buyout of the diner.”

Cam whistled.

“Yeah. And I have a week to decide.” Rose threw her head back and stared at the ceiling, willing those unshed tears to stay put.

“Mom?” Greg sounded scared.

“It’s okay, honey. Just some business with the diner. Help Cam make lunch, okay?”

“I’m not a baby. You can tell me.”

Rose sighed. “Greg—”

Cam turned to her son. “Got those patties on the grill?”

“Yup.” Greg crossed his arms, refusing to move.

Cam placed a hand on Greg’s shoulder. “Let’s get the rest of the stuff we need and then we can talk while we eat.”

Greg looked ready to argue but glanced at her for direction.

“Go ahead with Cam. I’ll get us each a pop and we can sit at the counter.” Rose dragged herself out of the chair and headed for the soft-drink dispenser. She grabbed three plastic tumblers stacked on the shelf below and filled them halfway with ice followed by cola for her and root beer for her son. She didn’t know what Cam liked. “What kind of pop do you want?”

He shrugged as he flipped each burger. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Are you going to tell me, Mom?”

Rose looked at Cam. He didn’t look back and concentrated on placing a slice of cheddar on each burger. She faced her son. “Your uncles want to buy the diner.”

“But we just got it.” Greg’s voice rose.

“I know.”

“Will we move back home?”

She watched Cam construct each cheeseburger on the plates. He was clearly staying out of the conversation. As he should, but then Rose realized she’d raised her son’s hopes by keeping quiet on the Dean boys’ threat. “I don’t want to sell, Greg. I’d like to have something that’s ours. Yours and mine. Something you can take over after college.”

Greg mulled what she’d said. “What if I don’t want it?”

Rose chose her words carefully. “We can cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I like being my own boss. Here, I have more time with you.”

Greg shifted. “Awww, Mom...”

“It’s time we make our own home.” Furious for having to talk her son into this all over again, Rose quickly changed the subject. “Greg, will you grab the bag of chips in back? Cam’s got our burgers done.”

“K.”

When Greg walked away, Cam looked her in the eyes. “This diner might be worth more than you think. Maybe you should talk to Linda’s attorney, get his thoughts about today’s events. He’s right here in Maple Springs.”

“I can’t afford an attorney,” she hissed.

“You might not have a choice.”

Rose hated that he was probably right.

Greg tossed the bag of chips on the counter and sat on one of the stools and spun around a couple of times.

“Three cheeseburgers.” Cam set down three plates.

Rose wasn’t in the mood to eat, but took a bite anyway. The burgers were sloppy, stacked with lettuce and tomato and pickles. Perfect.

“Aren’t we going to pray?” Greg challenged her. He did that a lot lately.

She nodded, her mouth full.

Cam cleared his throat. “I’ll pray.”

Her gaze flew to Cam, but he’d already bowed his head. She did the same while he recited a formal-sounding prayer.

“Bless us, oh Lord, and these Thy gifts...”

Her mind wandered. She didn’t want to sell. The deed hadn’t even transferred to her yet, so how could she sell?