Page 33 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Martin put his newspaper down and nodded once. “Len.” He folded the paper. “How are you?”

“Good. You?” He turned the chair at the next table and sat beside Martin.

“Are you working here?” Martin asked. “I thought you’d keel over in the courtroom.” He folded his arms. “I heard you had a stroke. Doesn’t look like it.”

“I did.” He lowered his voice. “A couple of years ago. It wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, but it woke me up.”

“I’ll bet.” Martin frowned and his bushy eyebrows knotted. “Is that why you retired?”

“I retired right before, but I’m not sure why the stroke happened,” Len said. “My boyfriend at the time didn’t make it easy to recover.”

“Not Keye.”

“No. A man named Ross.” He wasn’t about to go into details, but he couldn’t prevent himself from blaming his ex.

Martin’s frown increased and he sighed. “I don’t remember him.”

“You didn’t miss much.”

“You look good,” Martin said and brightened. “Who is he? Whoever you’re with is a good man and influence.”

“I’m seeing Dr. Isaac McLean.” He sat up straighter as he said those words. He’d never get tired of talking about his current boyfriend.

“The doctor? He’s young, you sly dog. I’m proud. I’ll bet he keeps you young, too,” Martin said. “Looks like it anyway.”

“He makes me happy.” He hadn’t thought about the relationship as being so obviously good for him, but he wasn’t about to argue. “How’s Katie?”

“Good. We’re grandparents now to six kids. Anna had four and Steven had two. I never thought either of my children would settle down. Then again, Anna always thought she’d marry Aiden.”

“No kidding?” He’d never known she was interested in his son.

“She had a huge crush on him.” Martin laughed. “She married a lawyer—one that never came up against you. His name is Campbell Cook. Nice guy. He treats her well and she loves him, so it’s good.”

“I don’t know him.” He didn’t recognize many of the newer lawyers, but he’d been out of the game for a while.

“He works for the DA.”

“Ah. Good for him.” He should get back to shelving the books. “Tell them all I said hello. I miss seeing Katie and you at Wagoner’s Place.”

“That joint closed three years ago,” Martin said. “Jimmy Wagoner passed and Coral didn’t want the stress of running a restaurant. The kids didn’t want to run it, so it closed. I hear rumbles that people are considering opening it again, but I don’t know who.”

“I hope someone sees the potential.” He enjoyed the little restaurant just outside Cedarwood. “What brings you to the library? The paper?”

“Yeah.” Martin blushed. “I come here and read them. I suppose I could buy a subscription, but I figure this is better for the environment. Why are you shelving books? Do you need the money?”

“I volunteer.” Martin could afford the paper, but if he was truly about saving the environment, then fine.

“I never thought about that.” Martin shrugged. “Whatever works.”

“It does. Books get shelved and the library doesn’t have to spend the money on me. They can focus on the rest of the staff and the collection.” He prided himself in his volunteer work.

“Gonna get Dr. McLean to cough up a big donation?” Martin asked. “You decided to sleep with him to get the library some dough?”

“I don’t mix business and pleasure.” Besides, it wasn’t Martin’s business if he did.

“You’re no fun.” Martin laughed again. “Oh well. I should go. Katie’s getting her hair done and I’m supposed to pick her up.”

“I’ll see you around then. It’s been good to catch up.” He pushed the chair back to its table and nodded. “See you.”

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