Chapter Eleven

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? I can you know, Amanda won’t mind.”

Howie rummaged around in the top drawer of his dresser and came up with an armload of socks and underwear.

“AJ, I’m gonna be just fine without you, really. You can stop worrying about me.”

“I can’t help it! You’re my best friend, and when you’re upset, I’m upset. And I’m telling you, man, that whole deal sucks!”

Howie chuckled and arranged his things in his suitcase, then he quickly zipped it up. Before he could lift it from the bed, Stinker pounced on it, her two front paws holding it down, tail wagging, and tongue flapping. She looked at him with sad puppy eyes.

“Awww, don’t give me that. I want to take you along, but I can’t, girl. Uncle AJ will take good care of you while I’m gone right, AJ?”

“Sure I will. C’mere you little stinker.”

AJ grabbed the puppy and followed Howie and his suitcase downstairs. Together they loaded Stinker in her carrier and placed her inside AJ’s truck. Howie tossed his suitcase in the backseat of his Expedition and turned to his friend.

“You know the number if you need to reach me, but not unless it’s an absolute emergency, got it?” he said sternly.

“I got it.”

“I’ll be back in time for the Tuesday 9am meeting at Jive, be sure to tell the guys.”

“What if I find Lori? Does that count as an absolute emergency?” AJ asked.

“Are you kidding?! You better call the second you know it’s her!”

They laughed and hugged.

“You really are my bestest friend, J.”

“You better say that. Only a bestest friend would be over here at,” he paused to glance at his watch. “Six am!”

They said goodbye and AJ climbed into his truck and roared away, making Howie wince. He hoped none of his neighbors hated him because of AJ and that damn truck.

He got into the Expedition and took a quick look at the map before taking off in the opposite direction from AJ. He had an 11 hour drive ahead of him to Falls Lake in Raleigh, North Carolina. The cabin hadn’t been used since Caroline had died, but Howie had been told he was welcome to have it for a few days.

John had continued to try to set him up on a date, and Howie continued to refuse. He didn’t want any help. John kept telling him he was making a huge mistake, that this woman was perfect for him. Howie ignored him.

He found out the name of the law firm that Kirkland Haberlan had used, but was unable to obtain the name of the actual lawyer since he wasn’t family and didn’t have any particular business with him. He’d gone to the bank Haberlan had run. It turned out to be the same one he thought he’d seen Lori come out of, further convincing him that it really had been her. He talked with some people but ended up with nothing.

So now he was on his way to Raleigh to relax, to think, and to find some direction for his life again. Before he’d learned about Haberlan’s death, he’d thought he was content. Money and fame could get you a lot of things, but true love and real companionship wasn’t one of them. He’d gladly give it up for the love that his parents had.

Along the way, he drove through a McDonalds for breakfast, a Burger King for lunch, and a Dairy Queen for a Blizzard.

“Oh yeah, eatin’ good today, Dorough,” he muttered, spooning ice cream into his mouth.

By the time he made it to Falls Lake, it was almost 5:30. All he wanted to do was pick up some groceries, get to the cabin and take a nice long nap. Maybe a hot bath first to relax his sore and aching muscles. He slowed to a stop in front of a little grocery store and was pleased to see no other cars around. His goal for the weekend, besides some serious thinking, was not to be recognized.

Before he got out of the vehicle, he slapped a basecall cap on his head and slid on a pair of dark sunglasses. Wearing khaki shorts, a white t-shirt and sandals, he looked like a casual tourist instead of the designer dressed superstar he was known for. A couple of kids on bikes flew across his path as he walked to the front door of the grocery store, nearly running over his toes. He shook his head, laughed, and entered the small building, snatching a basket on his way in.

“Hello,” the elderly man behind the counter greeted him.

“Hi.”

“New around here?”

The guy was fishing for gossip. Howie recognized the casual technique instantly and smiled.

“Just here for the weekend.”

“Staying in one of those fancy schmancy cabins, eh?”

“Uh huh.”

The man nodded and sat back in his chair to watch as Howie browsed shelves, searching for food items that would last him for the weekend. He rounded a corner and a bag of jumbo marshmallows fell to the floor, bumped off by his elbow. He dropped to his knees to pick it up and didn’t see the bright red Jeep pull up beside his Expedition. He replaced the marshmallows and made his way to the back where the ice cream was stored in the freezers. The female driver of the Jeep came into the store and stopped at the counter.

“Hi, Buzz, remember me?” she asked, a huge grin on her pretty face.

Buzz squinted at her, then lowered his glasses a bit.

“Oh my Lord, is this little Lori Haberlan?!” he exclaimed, hurrying around the counter to wrap her in a bear hug.

Howie heard the familiar name and nearly dropped his half full shopping basket. He whirled around and tried to see over the tops of the shelves, cursing his lack of inches. He silently moved closer, peeking around the shelves and catching a glimpse of her.

Omigod, it’s her!

His heart pounded wildly in his chest. What the hell was she doing here? Of all places?!

“Not so little anymore, huh?” Lori said, kissing the older man’s cheek.

“It’s been years since you’ve been up here, where have you been?”

Lori shrugged and stepped back. “Out of the country. I suppose you heard about my father?”

“Sure did. Sad thing.”

“Yeah.”

“So what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to sell the cabin.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Why not keep it and bring your family up here?”

Howie had been sneaking forward, doing his best not to make any noise when he heard Buzz ask her about family. He stopped an aisle away, behind a large display of Cheerios and held his breath, waiting for the answer.

“I don’t have a family.”

“You’re not married?”

“Nope. Single as can be.”

“Aww, that’s too bad. There isn’t anyone special in your life at all?”

Lori leaned against the counter, crossing her long legs at the ankles. “Well, if I can find the guy. . .”

Howie gasped and lurched at the same time, falling into the cereal boxes and sending them, and himself, sprawling onto the tiled floor. Lori and Buzz jumped at the sudden noise and hurried over to help him up.