Page 39 of Here With You

“Towels,” the woman said. She was short on words and patience.

“Certainly.” He walked behind the counter and grabbed four. “It'll be windy and overcast, but keep sunscreen on. I've gotten my worst burns on a cloudy day.” Next to the towels was a box of sunscreen packets. He picked up a handful and set them on the towels before handing them to the woman. “If you haven't had breakfast, I can vouch for the mini-quiche.”

The woman's icy demeanor melted. “Can you have someone send that and orange juice out to us?”

“I can do that.”

“Perfect.”

He had to agree. This day was perfect. Then he looked at his brother and thought, almost.

As soon as the family was gone, he turned to Margot. “He's family, and he can stay in the room.”

“But…”

Miles held up his hand. “If he doesn't have money, he'll work for his room and board.”

“I'm not working here,” Darryl said.

Miles looked at his brother's eyes, shadowed by a lack of sleep. His hair was mussed, and his clothes wrinkled.

“How was last night in your truck?” As his brother's shoulders folded forward, he knew he'd won this battle, but there would be many more.

“He's not taking my job,” Margot said.

“Margot, do your job and order that family breakfast delivered to the beach.”

“We don't do that.”

“We do now. The Kessler is a full-service resort. If someone wants a pie from Cricket’s, we'll get it. If they want their toes rubbed with blueberry preserves, find a pedicurist willing to do it.”

“That's not me,” Darryl said. “I don't like feet.”

“Do you think you're in a position to tell me what you will or won't do?”

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

After waiting for what seemed like a lifetime for Miles, Em searched for him and found him in the lobby of The Kessler in what looked like a standoff with Darryl. Both men had that immovable cement wall stance.

“What’s up?” she asked as she walked inside the door.

Darryl pointed at Miles. “He’s under the mistaken impression that I’m going to work for my room and board.”

She always considered that a funny saying. When did the word board become meals? She let go of that thought and faced the situation in front of her. Darryl was red-faced and had his hands fisted at his sides. Miles looked as cool and sweet as a Dreamsicle.

“Can you pay for your room?”

“No, I’ve got no money.” He nodded toward his brother. “I’ve been flat broke since he left.”

There were a lot of things Em didn’t like. She didn’t like lima beans, leftovers, or liars, but mostly she loathed people who refused to help themselves.

“What have you done to improve yourself and your situation in the last three decades?”

He gave her a strange, crinkled-nose look. It was the same expression her mother had when she opened the milk carton and found it spoiled.

“I bought chickens.”

“Chickens are a far cry from cattle.” She held up her hand before he could say another word. “I know you blame him for that, but that was your daddy’s fault. He’d been blowin’ smoke up people’s asses for years. Stealing from the locals is like stealing from family. It isn’t right and shouldn’t be done. Stop blaming your brother for your lack of success. My grandma always used to say if you plant a butter bean, don’t be expecting an apple tree to grow. If you want something to change, then do something different.” She pointed to Margot. “Get him a shirt.”

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