Page 7 of The Moment He Couldn’t Walk Away

He inhaled a deep lungful of icy air. Socializing and being around people, rather than the hermit life he preferred, was good for him, he knew.

Letting thoughts come and go, Finch reached Circle Left, where you could get accommodation, dine in the restaurant, or drink at the bar, but right now he wanted coffee.

He ran his eyes over the exterior, which was now painted raspberry with lemon trim. It shouldn’t work, but it did, even if he preferred the pink of before. More fairy lights had been strung on the façade, and some decals of Santa and his sleigh were stuck to windows. Finch stopped when he saw the large sign tacked to the side of the building.

“No fucking way,” he muttered, taking the stairs up and going in through the front door.

Touches of the old days remained in the wood paneling and bar, and the modernization successfully preserved that character. Reaching the restaurant area, where he was greeted with more Christmas carols, Finch found Nancy, the owner, who, along with her usual bright red hair and skin like orange peel left out in the sun too long, was dressed as an elf today.

“You’re selling? What the hell, Nancy?” The words had come out angry, and he had no right to that, but he’d had enough shocks in his life, and this wasn’t one he’d ever expected. Nancy and Hank and Circle Left were part of Lyntacky’s fabric. He didn’t want that to change.

She didn’t look angry, just patted his cheek with a soft palm. “It’s time, Finch. I’m tired, and me and Hank want to do some traveling now.”

“But you said you’d never leave,” Finch protested.

“Honey, I’ve said a lot of things, but these old bones are creaky now, and I want to go visit with some of my family for a while. It’s time to let someone else make memories here.”

Her eyes were kind, and he saw the sympathy. Sympathy for a man who had suffered. Finch hated pity in any form.

“It’s good to see you out and about. How are you feeling, Finch?”

“Good.” He fought back the need to snarl at the pity in her eyes.

He’d had enough change in his life and come back to his hometown because things usually stood still here. Seemed like he’d been wrong if Nancy and Hank were selling.

“Not actually so good, though, I don’t think, but I understand why you don’t want to talk about it. But you need to soon, Finch, or it will destroy you.”

He sighed. “I know, and I talk to a therapist.”

She leaned in to kiss his cheek, then said, “Like I told Nina when she came at me like you just did, maybe seeing as you’re so bent out of shape that we’re selling, you should buy it, Finch, because I’d rather it went to a local.”

“I don’t think so,” he said. He could barely look after himself these days. A place like this was completely beyond him.

“We can’t keep up with the maintenance, so it needs a younger person. Someone to modernize and make it better while keeping the old charm.”

He wanted to argue further, but knew it wasn’t his decision to make.

“Go on outside now. I have the sides down in the conservatory, and the heater’s on. I’ll bring you coffee and cake.”

Opening the door that led out, he stepped through and turned right, taking the stairs down to the gardens. Yes, it was cold, but he had Caleb’s jacket, and he’d always loved exploring out here.

He’d only taken a few steps when a loud sniff told him he wasn’t alone. Stepping to the right, he saw her. Even with her back to him, Finch knew that hair. Shoulder-length, blond with highlights, and always styled perfectly. She had on a long beige overcoat and a black scarf was wrapped around her neck.

“Some days are hard, N-Nancy. Today is one of those. I just don’t want her to suffer, but I don’t think she’s got long.”

She’d clearly heard his footsteps but had mistaken who they belonged to.

“Who don’t you want to suffer?”

Nina Winters spun at his words, her eyes going wide as she saw who stood behind her.

“What are you doing here, Finch?”

He took in the black smudges beneath her eyes where mascara had run and the damp cheeks from her tears.

“I live here.”

She frowned. “At Circle Left?”