Page 1 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
Chapter One
Ben ran down the steps from the lodge. He liked to check in with the night auditor before going to drink his morning coffee out on the deck over the lake. He loved this time of day; the resort was still quiet, and he felt as though he had the world to himself for a while. The day was still untouched, ready for him to make of it all that he could.
He made his way to one of the big picnic benches and sat on it, taking a sip of his coffee and staring out at the lake. He had a busy day ahead of him. Saturday was changeover day—the morning filled with guests checking out and the afternoon with new guests checking in. It was a routine that had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. Even when he was a little kid he’d helped his grandpa Joe out on Saturdays. As he’d grown into his teens, he’d pretty much taken over the process since his parents screwed it up so often. He sighed and took another sip of his coffee. He’d spent his whole life in this place, doing the same things over and over, year in, year out. And he still loved it.
He looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching and smiled when he saw Joe.
“G’morning.”
“Morning. What are you doing down here so early?”
“Early? I’m late for my doughnuts.”
Ben laughed. “Yeah. The bakery’s been open for a good hour already, you won’t get the first batch this morning.”
Joe shrugged and heaved himself up onto the table beside Ben. “I won’t get the first coffee down here either, but I’ll be happy to take the second.” He eyed Ben’s cup.
“Okay, I’ll be back in a few.” Ben let himself into the restaurant and made two fresh mugs before heading back outside. He stopped at the edge of the deck. The sun was just peeking above the horizon, and Joe sat silhouetted, bathed in golden light. Ben caught his breath. Joe was probably the person he was closest to in the whole world. He was more than a parent, more than a friend, more than a mentor, he was all of those wrapped into one. Right now, though, sitting there staring out at the lake in the early morning light, Ben saw the silhouette of a frail old man. It made his heart stop beating for a moment. He’d been aware for a long time that Joe wouldn’t be around forever, but the sight of him perched up there on the picnic table really rammed that fact home.
Joe turned and met his gaze. “Any chance I can get that coffee while I’m still breathing?”
Ben hurried toward him with a smile. “Sorry.”
Joe nodded and took the mug from him. “Nah. I’m sorry, son. I seem to be losing my patience. I can’t have many years left on this earth, and I don’t like to waste the moments, you know?”
Ben nodded. He did know, but he didn’t like to admit it out loud. “So, what do you want to do with the moments?”
Joe’s bushy eyebrows knit together. “I’ve done most everything I want to do.” He gave a deep chuckle, “And I don’t reckon I could manage much of what I’d like to do now anyways.”
Ben laughed. “Don’t give me that. You could pull off just about anything you want to and we both know it.”
Joe nodded slowly and rubbed his fingers over his chin. “I reckon you might be right there.” He turned and met Ben’s gaze, his eyes serious now. “Just about anything, but not quite everything.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “That’s sounds to me as though you’ve got something in particular in mind.”
“I sure do.”
“So, tell me. What do you want, and how can I help you get on with it? You know I’ll do anything I can to help you out.”
Joe’s stare bored into him. “You’re the only one who can help me with the one thing I still want in life.” He shook his head. “But, see, I should be keeping my lip buttoned.”
“What?”
Joe shrugged. “The one thing I still want is to see you happy before I die.”
Ben dropped his gaze.
Joe elbowed him in the ribs with a chuckle. “Don’t you think I’d have turned up my toes and called it quits years ago, if I knew you were going to be all right?”
“I am all right. In fact, I think I’m doing pretty well.” He swung his arm out in a gesture that took in the restaurant, the lodge, and the marina. “I’m happy with what I’ve achieved here, I took what you gave me and I’ve run with it, though you know I’ll always be working to improve. To do more.”
“Course I know that. Don’t treat me like an old fool, Ben. I might play the part sometimes, but we both know the score.”
“I’m not! I…”
Joe gave him a hard stare and Ben closed his mouth. There was no point denying he knew damned well what Joe was talking about—and it wasn’t the resort.
“When we saw Charlie in Vegas, I thought it was just a matter of time.”
