Second Chance Pass. Robyn Carr

he saw only her profile. She was exquisite. Beautiful beyond words.

      “Nikki,” Vanni called. “Come here.” When Nikki approached, her smile very small and maybe shy, Vanni made introductions. “Meet Joe, a friend of Matt’s and Paul’s. Joe, meet my best friend, Nikki.”

      He put out a hand and she laid hers in his. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

      “A pleasure,” she said, but then she glanced down.

      “Gee, this is terrible,” Vanni said. “If I’d known you were coming, I’d have made plans to do something special for you. I would have cooked dinner or something.”

      “I’d be glad to buy you a little of Preacher’s dinner if you’ll stay,” he offered. “I’d really enjoy that.”

      “Thanks, that’s sweet. But I’ve left my dad baby-sitting for a while and I had Preacher pack us up something to go. I’m still nursing—my escapes are very brief. I could get Preacher to add to it if you’ll come out to the house.”

      “I wish I could, but I have to discuss building plans with these folks tonight.”

      “Doggone it, Joe. Next time, please let me know you’re coming. I’d like to spend some time with you, too!”

      “It’s a promise,” he said. “And I’ll be back. Guaranteed.” But will she be back? Joe wondered. Nikki. He wouldn’t forget that name.

      Right at that moment, Paige came out with a big sack holding their dinner. Vanni fished for her wallet and Joe said, “On me, sweetheart. Amends for not calling you ahead. A mistake I’ll never make again.” He pulled a couple of twenties out of his pocket, peeled them off, laid them on the bar and reached for the take-out sack to pass to her. “Enjoy the best food you’ll ever eat,” he said to Nikki.

      Nikki gave her head a small nod while Vanni said, “Gee, thanks! I sure didn’t expect that.” Then she leaned toward Joe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “That’s very sweet.”

      “Enjoy,” he said. “Nice meeting you, Nikki,” he said, wishing that he’d had a little cheek press from her. But what he got instead was another small nod.

      They left and he went back to his beer. It was quite a while before Jack was freed up enough to walk down to his end of the bar, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “How’d you do there?” he asked, glancing at the sketch pad.

      “I think I have some good ideas here,” Joe said. “With the right builder, this could work out nicely.”

      “The right builder is the problem. When I was finishing my house, I couldn’t find squat around here. That’s why I called Paul.”

      “Well, I know some people,” Joe said. “I might be able to help you with that. First, we have to see if you three like my ideas. And, by the way, who was that woman with Vanni?”

      “Girlfriend from the flight attendant days. I gather they’re best friends who flew together for years and she’s up here to visit.”

      “Jesus,” Joe said. “She’s incredible.”

      “Based in San Francisco,” Jack said with a smile. “She’s going home tomorrow.”

      “Well, so am I.” He lifted his beer. “Here’s to another close call.”

      Jack laughed.

      Joe took a long drink, Jack wandered away and Joe thought, I’ve been to San Francisco five times in the past year and I never saw anyone like that. Why not? This is a town of six hundred. I shouldn’t see anyone that amazing here—I should see ten or twenty so gorgeous in the city.

      Jack came back with his coffee cup. Joe merely looked up at him and said, “This place. It’s kind of scary.”

      “Tell me about it,” Jack said, taking a sip of his coffee. “I found Mel here. That stuff isn’t supposed to happen.”