His sister, Genevieve, spun around from the cargo trailer that was opened behind her truck. The look of confusion on her face vanished and a smile as bright as the Alabama sun split her face.
“Remi!” She launched toward him and damn near knocked him and his motorcycle onto the gravel drive. He grabbed her and the bike, straddling the machine to keep from going over.
“Whoa, there. Give me a chance to get off my bike before you maul me.” He laughed when she jumped back and hopped up and down on her toes.
“Hurry up! Oh, damn, have you bulked up or what?”
He placed the kickstand and swung his leg over just in time to catch her again. “It’s so good to see you!” She hugged him and they swayed together for a bit, but she didn’t let go, which was weird. He nudged her and whispered, “Hey, what’s wrong?”
She released him and wiped at her eyes. “Nothing, I’m just being silly. Why didn’t you call?”
He shrugged. “You know me, I didn’t want you to put yourself out.”
She tapped his helmet with her finger. “Hello? Since when is putting fresh linen on the guest bed a burden?”
He chuckled and took off his helmet. “Looks like you have a heck of a haul.” He nodded to the trailer.
“I so do! I stock up for the month and flour in fifty-pound sacks aren’t fun to move from point A to point B, let me tell you.” Gen swiped a strand of her long black hair back and tucked it behind her ear. “Let me get this put away. Come in and pour yourself a cup of coffee and we’ll visit while I work.”
“Like that would ever happen.” He lifted a fifty-pound bag of flour and slung it over his shoulder, grabbing another in his right hand. “Lead the way.”
She blinked and scrambled to the back door of the cafe. “Flour is to the right, bottom shelf in the storeroom.” She pointed to the storeroom that was organized within an inch of its life. Each shelf was labeled with a small whiteboard that showed the product name and the date she placed it into storage.
“I see that degree in business management from Brown came in handy.” He rested one bag against the door jamb and lowered the one he had on his shoulder into its place.
“Stop, I get that song and dance from Mom.” Gen muscled over the other bag of flour and he lifted it up into its position.
“Ah, how is Mother?” He turned around as he spoke and saw her flinch. “Sorry, still a sore subject?”
Gen nodded. “How about we save that conversation for a glass of something adult and we’ll make it extra strong?”
“Deal. What else do you need me to do?” He’d seen more supplies and headed back out to the small trailer.
“Remi, you don’t have to do this.” Gen jogged to catch up with him.
“Well, I am, so get over it.” He hip-checked her, sending her to the right about five steps. She snorted a laugh and veered back to the trailer. They loaded up and headed back into the cafe.
“How long can you stay?” Gen asked the question as they placed tins of oil, cans of tomatoes, and every other pantry item imaginable into the storeroom.
“That’s open-ended right now. I took a leave of absence from the prison.” He turned to go back out to the trailer.
“Jeremiah, what aren’t you telling me?” The soft question halted him in his tracks. He turned and looked at his sister. She was beautiful in the way of the old-fashioned movie stars. Classical features, deep blue eyes, and black hair had helped her win Miss Alabama and first runner-up in the national pageant. Of course, that hadn’t been enough for their mom. “Remi?”
He dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling for a minute. “Remember that adult beverage we are going to have after we finish unpacking the warehouse store you bought out?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I remember that.”
“You share your story and I’ll share mine.”
She slapped her hands together and moved toward the door. “Deal, but you’re going first.”
He chuckled and followed her out the door. They’d need a fifth to get through the afternoon.
“This is nice, Gen.” He walked around the front of her cafe. There was a long counter with ten stools and a bank of booths that stretched across the front of the space. Clean, small, and everything she’d always talked about.