Courtney scooted back to the far side of her bench. Patting the empty seat beside her, she said, “What’s going on?”

Joe fell into the empty spot and slumped over the table. He stared at our water glasses as he spoke. “Davis Industries has been trying to buy the bar for several months, but I keep turning them down. At first, he sent his minions to do his dirty work, but this last time, Sam came in person. I thought it was you.” He looked up at Seth when he said the last part, then looked back down before continuing. “It didn’t take long to figure out that it wasn’t.”

When he paused, the questions were swirling around my head, but I waited for him to continue. “Since I didn’t jump at their last offer, they’ve decided to push me out of business. They are using their connections in the town council to bully me. My liquor license has been pulled because of some non-existent technicality. Sam’s not going to be happy until I’ve lost my business.”

I surveyed the restaurant. Joe’s son, Jonah, was coloring at a table with one of the waitresses. Locals and tourists alike were eating fried food, laughing and having fun, despite the lack of alcohol. The fake thatched roof and numerous giant, plastic palm trees twinkled with white, sparkling lights. This place served as a home-away-from-home for so many people. The prime, waterfront location and laid-back, island-y atmosphere had made Joe’s a landmark in this town. How could Sam even think about buying it, with Joe being unwilling to sell? What did he intend to do with it?

I had more questions than answers, and I didn’t know what to say. This didn’t seem at all like the Sam that I knew. I reached across the table to pat Joe’s hand, trying to offer him some comfort.

Seth’s jaw was set in a firm line, and it made me wonder if he had encountered this side of his brother before. “We’ll make sure you don’t lose your restaurant,” I reassured Joe, praying that it was true.

20

I needed to think. Running off half-cocked to yell at Sam wouldn’t accomplish anything. I wanted to present him with an organized and well-thought-out list of reasons why he couldn’t take Joe’s restaurant. Sam was a reasonable, rational human being, and I was sure that I could talk him into changing his mind. Well, somewhat confident that I could. Okay, I hoped that maybe I might possibly be able to convince him.