“You were angry before you knew who he was.”
“Correct.”
“So what changed?”
Bear looked through the window.
The white drawing was visible even from inside.
“I like it.”
Rachel stared.
“You do not.”
“No.”
“I hate the wheels.”
Noah looked offended.
Bear continued.
“But I’m keeping it.”
“Why?”
Bear looked at the boy.
“Because your kid drew something on my motorcycle before either of us knew we had a reason to sit at the same table.”
Rachel was silent.
Bear added:
“That seems worth not repainting.”
Noah whispered:
“Really?”
“Don’t do it again.”
“Ever?”
“To anybody’s motorcycle.”
“What about yours?”
Bear pointed.
“Especially mine.”
Noah smiled.
Rachel reached for her purse.
At least for lunch.
Bear shook his head.
She glared.
“Do not make this charity.”
He looked back.
“I invited.”
“I can pay.”
“I know.”
“Then let me.”
Bear considered.
“All right.”
She paid for her soup and Noah’s sandwich.
Bear paid his own.
That mattered.
Rachel noticed.
Outside, they stood beside the moving boxes loaded into her old SUV.
Bear looked through the back window.
“Moving because of work?”
Rachel hesitated.
“No.”
He waited.
She sighed.
“Money.”
Bear nodded once.
No pity.
That helped.
“Adam had life insurance.”
“Not much.”
“The ambulance company had benefits.”
“Some.”
“But after he died, I couldn’t keep the apartment and childcare and everything else on one income.”
“My sister has a spare room.”
“She lives in Cedar Falls.”
“Waitress job nearby.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
Bear looked at Noah.
The boy was showing Ray the drawing.
“School?”
“He’ll transfer Monday.”
Bear nodded.
Rachel crossed her arms.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You have a face.”
“Everybody says that today.”
“What are you thinking?”
Bear looked at her.
“I own a motorcycle shop.”
“I know.”
“Our office manager retired last month.”
Rachel blinked.
Bear continued.
“Ray does the books right now.”
From beside the bike Ray shouted:
“I heard that.”
Bear ignored him.
“He’s terrible.”
“I can still hear you.”
Rachel stared.
“What does that have to do with me?”
“What did Adam say you did?”
“When?”
“At the hospital.”
“He mentioned wife.”
“He said you ran dispatch for a landscaping company.”
Rachel looked surprised.
“I did.”
“Before Noah.”
“Then accounts for the ambulance company after.”
“You know scheduling?”
“Yes.”
“Invoices?”
“Yes.”
“Payroll?”
“Yes.”
“Parts inventory?”
“I can learn.”
Bear nodded.
“Job.”
Rachel stared.
“No.”
Bear frowned.
“You haven’t heard pay.”