Page 75 of Natalie's Nighthawk

Suddenly a hush came over the surrounding tables. Even his friends stopped talking, staring eyes wide at whoever had just come through the door. Graham turned slightly in his seat and groaned. Marcus Rayne. What in the world was he doing here?

The actor spotted them and approached. Graham stood and shook his proffered hand. “I was told I could find you here,” Marcus started. By whom? Everyone he knew was here. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

Graham couldn’t seem to find his voice for some stupid reason. Natalie stepped closer. “Not at all, Mr. Rayne. Won’t you join us?” Someone moved to pull another chair over. “I’m Natalie Ghannon.”

“Ahh,” Marcus said, shaking her hand. “The girlfriend.” Natalie blushed. “And it’s Marcus, please.” She nodded and sat back down as he took the new chair at the head of the table on Graham’s right.

Finally, he found his voice. “It’s nice to see you, Marcus. What brings you to our neck of the woods?”

“Well, you do,” he answered. “I’ve had my people keeping an eye out for every and any media report that contained your name. I’m not entirely proud of that, but my curiosity about you and your Nighthawks overwhelmed my common sense.” Somebody, probably Jolene, placed a beer in front of him. He picked it up and took a deep sip. “Wow. That is just about the best thing I’ve ever tasted!”

Jolene leaned over to Emma and whispered, not too quietly, “He likes my brew. Bless his heart!” Everyone chuckled.

“You made this?” Marcus was asking Jolene.

She nodded, obviously afflicted with the same tongue-tying disease that had stricken Graham. “She owns this place,” Emma informed him.

“Then you must be the infamous Jolene?” She nodded again. “Well, Jolene, I do declare this is one tasty brew.”

“Bless your heart,” she said, finally finding her very southern voice. “Can I get you something to eat?”

Finch spoke up then. “You think the beer is good; you should try her burgers.”

“Okay. A burger then.” Jolene hurried to the kitchen to rush her cook into making him his burger.

“So, who all do I have the pleasure of sharing my meal with?” Marcus asked.

Graham went around the table, naming every one of the people who meant the world to him. New and old. When he got to Logan and Tin Man, Marcus recognized them. “I remember you two. You were on that cliff too. Thank you for all you did that day. I might have been too addled with pain to thank you properly then.” They both nodded, accepting his gratitude.

Jolene returned with the burger just then. “This looks like a masterpiece,” he said before taking a bite. His eyes rolled back into his head as he moaned with pleasure.

“Told you, bro,” Finch teased.

“Seriously, I must have died and gone to heaven. Good beer, awesome burger. Are you some kind of kitchen savant?” Marcus said to Jolene.

She, of course, blushed again with another ‘bless your heart.’ Conversations among the group commenced as Marcus finished his burger. But as he sighed in contentment and wiped his mouth on a napkin, conversations died out. Everyone was curious as to why the famous actor was in Lake Haven.

“As I’ve already admitted,” he started, “I’ve been watching the media reports. I’ve read every internet story I could find. Including what happened to you last week, Natalie. I’m relieved you are okay.”

“Thank you,” Natalie replied, bewildered he knew anything about her.

“And I know what happened yesterday.” The bar was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Even the jukebox had gone silent. “And I’m sorry, both for the loss of your friend and for the equipment. And that brings me to the reason I am here.” He paused for another pull on his beer.

“I have a deal for you. I’ll donate all the capital you need to rebuild and resupply on one condition.” As any true actor worth his salt would, he paused for dramatic effect. “You let me write, produce and star in a movie about your life.”

Graham could hear gasps of all sorts from all over the bar. It seemed the whole town was listening. He looked over at his brother, who was sitting on Marcus’ other side. They stared at each other in shock. It was everything they could ask for. It would solve all their current financial problems.

Marcus stood. “I’ll give you a moment to talk it over with your,” he paused, glancing at each person around the grouping of tables. “Family,” he finished.

And wasn’t that the truth. These people were his family as much as David was. And he was so grateful for each one. Even his new friends. Sure, he’d started a family of sorts when he launched Nighthawk, people he would trust with his life. They had respect and camaraderie, but now they have love. Natalie had done that for him. And she came with her own family, which rounded them out.

Therefore, turning to his family, he asked, “Well? What does everyone think?” They all started talking at once. Then laughed. “Okay, one at a time. David?”

“I admit, it’s tempting. It would answer all our prayers. But are you sure you want to expose your life to the world like that?” Graham nodded and turned to the next person.

“Maddie?”

Shocked, she said, “I get a say? But I’m not a Nighthawk.”

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