Page 138 of True North

Having long days with Harry.

The two of us working together. Working on something we build with our bare hands. And our hearts.

The knife slips from my hand.

If we don’t make the payment, every dream Harry and I have attached to this place goes up in smoke.

If Rosie was right, and this is my ship to steer, there’s one thing I can do that will make sure we stay afloat.

I push the veggies into a pile and wipe my hands on a tea towel. Plucking the phone from the receiver at the wall, I punch in Mama Mancini’s number.

She picks up on the third ring.

“Hey Mrs. Mancini, it’s Louisa. I need to talk to you about something. It’s important. And it can’t wait.”

* * *

“Are you sure?” Mama’s eyes are narrowed, her hands wrapped around one of mine.

I nod.

She leans forward. “Well, if this is what you want, and it’s your choice, then I don’t think we’ll have any trouble finding an investor willing to buy both of us out. This place is a staple in this little old town.”

“I have someone in mind. But...”

The thought of asking Brad for anything makes me cringe.

But his family owns many businesses in Lewistown. I guess it goes with the territory of being accountants. Good business is their bread and butter.

I only hope they are interested and their payment comes before the weeks end, otherwise Rosewood Ranch is going to be another thing Harry’s lost.

“Well, you let me know what you find out. If nothing is settled by the week’s end, I will telephone the real estate people.” She gives me a soft smile. “For the record, despite your love of this old place, and the food, none of this will matter without the person you want to share it with. You’re making the right choice, bambina. Other opportunities will come your way. Mark my words, hey.”

“Thank you. And thank you for understanding. I realize you had everything planned.”

She waves her hand and huffs a small sound. “Best laid plans, rotten things.”

I chuckle at the face she pulls. She rises and wanders into the kitchen only to reappear. “You will be needing this. I meant what I said when I wanted you to have these recipes. As much as they are a family heirloom, they are no use to an old lady with no one to hand them down to. I couldn’t think of a better cook to carry them on.”

I stand, and she hands me the folder with the recipes we have cooked together, bound in the cream folder I scavenged from the restaurant’s front counter. It’s now bound with a large rubber band and is suspiciously fuller than the last time I saw it.

“You added more?” I ask.

“A few things to get you and Harry through the tougher times.” She winks at me and pats my cheek like she’s done since the day I turned up on her doorstep. “You know what they say about a man’s heart. Intrinsically attached to his stomach.”

I can’t help the laugh bursting from me.

Mama’s humor is always a little dry and a lot quirky, with her mismatched sayings and huge heart.

“Thank you, again. I can’t say it enough.”

“Go! Get that deal of yours done. Time waits for no woman.”

With a smile to outshine the midday sun, I fly out of the restaurant, folder in hand, and rush my way to the only accounting office in town. The doorbell sings as I bust through it to find a small beige front counter.

I can’t believe I’ve never been in here.

“Can I help you?” a young woman asks. I recognize her. She was with Brad at the restaurant a few weeks back.

---