Crashing into Fate (Maple Grove #25) - Lynn Hagen Page 0,9

him to get back on his feet, but he didn’t plan on making it his permanent job. He missed having his own apartment and the ability to cook his meals.

He really did need to set better and higher goals for himself.

“I’m not buttering you up for anything,” Charles said.

His brother usually didn’t get into his feelings, but since Arlan had left, Charles had gotten weird. “Do you miss me?” he teased.

“We all do.”

Arlan disagreed. Probably Charles and the kids but definitely not Chloe. She probably wished Arlan would fall off the face of the earth.

Or the side of a cliff.

“Okay, I’m in town and starving.” The walk had really worked up his appetite. “I’ll call you later.”

Arlan hung up and walked into The Diner Train. The smell of food invaded his lungs and made his eyelids briefly flutter closed. He’d always loved coming here, especially when he had his own place and a job. Arlan had made it a point to eat there at least three times a week.

“Hey, Arlan,” Kenny said when Arlan walked to the counter. “Sit anywhere you like and I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”

That was the beautiful thing about getting to know people. Kenny already knew what Arlan liked. It wasn’t hard to figure out since Arlan ordered the same thing for breakfast every single time.

Arlan didn’t have an adventurous side. When he found something he liked, he tended to stick to it. He was a creature of habit.

Arlan took a seat at the counter and thanked Kenny when the waiter brought him his coffee. Kenny didn’t even have to ask if Arlan wanted his usual. He just hollered it through the order window.

And this was one reason why Arlan loved Maple Grove so much.

Although it had only been a day, he just wished he could get back on his feet a little bit faster. He missed his own place and money he could actually spend without having a tiny panic attack.

“I heard about what happened last night.” Kenny propped a hip against the counter. “Were you scared? I would have been if the room next to mine caught fire and then a dead body was found. I tell you, this town is never short on drama.”

Weird. Arlan had never heard too much about craziness in Maple Grove. “What drama?”

Kenny pulled away from the counter. “Let me go see if Cyril has your order ready.”

First Lewis had acted strange, and now Kenny. What the freak was going on?”

“God, it smells good in here.”

Arlan turned at the sound of his brother’s voice. Why on earth was Charles at the diner so early? “Get lost on your way to the bathroom?”

Charles smiled as he sat next to Arlan. His brother really did have a nice smile. “I told Chloe I would grab breakfast for her and the kids.”

“That still doesn’t tell me why you’re here.” Arlan took a sip of his coffee and sighed. He couldn’t think of one bad thing he’d had in the diner. Cyril was a master at the stove and coffee machine.

Arlan was willing to bet Cyril could have made a killing if he’d worked for some fancy restaurant in New York or California. Hell, even somewhere overseas.

But he was glad Cyril had settled down in this town so Arlan could enjoy the man’s cooking.

“Fine.” Charles sighed as he picked up a menu. “I wanted to check on you. I wanted to see with my own eyes that you were unscathed.”

“Unscathed?” Now Charles sounded like their dad.

“Unhurt. Is that better?”

Arlan spread his arms. “Do I look injured to you?”

“And I brought your clothes. I’ll keep the rest of your stuff until you get an apartment. You don’t need to crowd your room.” He bumped arms with Arlan. “I’ll even give you a ride back.”

“You’re too damn good to me,” Arlan mumbled as Kenny brought his plate out.

“Hey, Charles.” Kenny smiled. “What can I get you?”

“Blueberry waffles and some bacon.” Charles pointed to Arlan’s cup. “And some coffee. I need to place a to-go order, but I’ll wait until I’m almost done eating.”

“Coming right up.” Kenny walked away.

“So did you find out who the dead guy was?” Charles stole Arlan’s mug and took a sip before grimacing. “I forgot how much sugar you put in yours.”

“That’ll teach you not to steal it.” Arlan took his mug back. “And, no, I have no idea who the guy was.”

Arlan had been trying not to look. He hadn’t wanted that image burned into his memory.

“Well, I’m