Olivia and Angela had no trouble deciding what to make for dinner. Their uncle had just started his first day working at Aunt Sally's Diner, so they knew it couldn't be anything fried, no fish, and definitely no potatoes. They settled on turkey chili—ground turkey and beans—but made the healthier version, simmered in water instead of oil.
"You think Uncle Brad's gonna come home hungry?" Angela asked, her brow creased with worry. "I mean… he's been at a diner all day."
Olivia almost rolled her eyes.
"Have you ever seen a man who wasn't hungry?" she asked dryly.
Angela giggled.
"True. I just hope the doctor likes it."
"He said he's not picky. And besides, you're a great cook. He'll love it, trust me."
Angela's cheeks turned the color of ripe apricots. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and embarrassment. Olivia couldn't help but feel a little jealous—her sister could find happiness in something as simple as cooking. She wished she had something like that for herself. Unfortunately, housework gave her no satisfaction at all; she felt useless to her family—and especially to her uncle.
It wasn't that Olivia couldn't cook. She just didn't enjoy it.
She preferred… studying.
She sighed. Sometimes she really wished she were better at something useful.
The front door opened, and they heard a cheerful, "I'm home!"
Angela brightened instantly. She peeked out of the kitchen. "Perfect timing—dinner's almost ready!" she called.
"Uh… listen, I've gotta run out for a bit. You girls go ahead and eat without me, okay?"
Olivia's heart gave a quick, uneasy jump. She joined her sister by the doorway, studying him carefully. He looked normal enough, but there was something in his eyes—something off. She couldn't tell what it was, just that it didn't feel right.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, pulse quickening.
"Not a thing," he assured them. "I just promised someone I'd show them my bike. He's passing through town, so I figured I'd take the chance."
"You're not selling it, are you?" Angela asked anxiously.
"Of course not," he said with a small grin. "He's a mechanic. I just want him to take a look at something. That's not a problem, right?" He raised an eyebrow.
"No, of course not," Angela said quickly. "It's just—"
Olivia touched her sister's arm. Angela fell silent immediately.
"What is it?" their uncle asked.
Olivia shook her head.
"Have fun. We'll be fine," she said with a smile.
"Great. I've got a set time to meet him, so I better get going. I'll grab my keys and head out." He started up the stairs.
"Okay," Olivia called after him.
As soon as he disappeared, Angela smacked her sister lightly on the arm.
"What is wrong with you? Why'd you let him go?"
"You're kidding, right?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "He's a grown man. Why would I stop him from doing anything? He's the one who can tell us what to do, not the other way around."
"But if we told him we couldn't manage alone—"
"We're fifteen, Angie. Seriously?" Olivia grimaced. "Besides, ever since he started taking care of us, he's barely had any time for himself."
"Yeah…" Angela admitted quietly, looking down. They heard Brad's footsteps thudding down the stairs, then the front door closing behind him. Angela glanced toward the entryway. "Still… those bikers from last night are freaking me out."
Olivia flinched. She'd completely forgotten about the late-night roar of motorcycles passing their house. It had been such a rare event that even kids at school were talking about the bikers in town.
"Uncle used to ride with them," she said, not sure if that was good or bad.
"But he said he's not involved with them anymore. He wouldn't lie to me… would he?"
The deep, low growl of an engine rumbled outside. Both girls turned toward the garage at the exact same moment.
"I don't think he lied to you, but…" Olivia's unease was growing by the second. Brad had tried to sound calm, natural, even cheerful—but there'd been something else in his voice, something tight and off-key. "He might not have told us the whole truth."
"What can we even do? Listen—he's leaving."
The engine revved, deep and strong, then faded as he turned onto the main road.
"I don't know," Olivia admitted helplessly. Her eyes drifted toward the door, but really—what could she possibly do?
"What if Uncle Brad gets into trouble?" Angela's voice was trembling now. "I don't want him to end up where Dad did…"
Olivia bit her lower lip.
Or where Mom did.
"Angie, why are we even worried?"
"What do you mean, why? Because last night a bunch of bikers rode past our house, and now Uncle just hops on his motorcycle and drives off. He never rides that thing! I thought it didn't even work."
They both had. Once in a while one of them would ask why he didn't ride anymore, but he always said that part of his life was over—that he didn't need it anymore.
And yet today… he did.
"Maybe he really is planning to sell it," Olivia said slowly. "Maybe one of those bikers wants to buy it, and Uncle just doesn't want us to worry about money."
That made sense. Olivia helped him manage the bills, and though she didn't know every detail, she knew things were getting tight. Brad still had some prize money left from his racing days, but it wasn't an endless well. He picked up odd jobs here and there, but without steady work, they'd have to start living lean soon. Renting out the guesthouse to Dr. Stone didn't bring in enough to support three people.
"What if he's doing something shady with them?" Angela whispered. "Like… a job?"
"He's not that stupid," Olivia said firmly—but even she didn't fully believe it. He wouldn't be that reckless… would he?
Her mouth went dry. She swallowed hard and stepped back into the kitchen.
"It's probably nothing," she said, lighting the stove. She didn't like cooking, but it helped to keep her hands busy. "Come on, let's finish dinner. He'll be starving when he gets back. So will Dr. Stone."
"You're right. Oh! He's back already!"
"Uncle?" Olivia looked up, startled. She hadn't heard any engine.
"No—Dr. Stone."
Angela darted to the door and opened it.
"Dinner's in twenty minutes, Doctor!" she announced brightly.
The man stepped closer, pausing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you earlier, but I won't be home for dinner tonight…"
"You too?" Olivia blurted before she could stop herself.
"Me too?" he repeated.
Angela shrugged.
"Uncle suddenly went out somewhere. On his bike. He hasn't ridden it in years…"
Stone's gaze shifted between them. Olivia had the eerie feeling he could see straight through their words, down into the knot of worry tangled in their chests.
"Does that worry you?" he asked gently.
Olivia pressed her lips together. The chili was bubbling behind her, filling the kitchen with warmth. She stepped into the living room.
"Not really," she said, feeling her cheeks heat. "It just happened so suddenly. We were surprised, that's all."
But Dr. Stone didn't buy it. He looked straight into her eyes, and for a heartbeat, she was sure he could hear her thoughts.
Please help our uncle. I think he's in trouble.
He smiled—a quiet, reassuring smile that made Olivia's chest loosen.
"Do you girls have any idea where he might've gone?"
The sisters exchanged glances.
"There's a road north of town," Angela said finally. "Bikers sometimes race there or have meetups. There's this old tavern nearby…"
Olivia nodded.
"We think he might've gone north, but we're not sure."
"All right. I'll check it out."
"But your plans—" Angela began.
"It's nothing urgent. I'll reschedule. The car—" He stopped mid-sentence. Right. He didn't have one.
"Take Uncle's car," Olivia said quickly, darting to the sideboard. She grabbed the keys and pressed them into his hand. "He won't mind, I promise."
Stone hesitated only for a moment before taking them.
"All right. Don't worry, girls—it's probably nothing." He smiled again and jogged down the steps.
If there's nothing to worry about, Olivia thought, then why are you running, Doctor Stone?
Still, she felt lighter.
If Uncle Brad really was in trouble, she knew one thing for sure—Dr. Stone would find him.
Her heart knew those two men were meant for each other.