Free Hot Point by M. L. Buchman

always apologizing for something. During her long year with Jasper, their relationship had been nothing but one unending apology. And it had been entirely on her part. Not his…ever. What was—
    â€œDenise?” Vern and the waitress were looking at her.
    She hadn’t even looked at the menu yet, so she held up two fingers.
    They both looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
    â€œThe double teriyaki burger is about as big as your head. You that hungry?”
    Denise held up one finger and tried not to be embarrassed when the waitress nodded and departed. Before she came here again, she’d memorize the menu; it was bound to be online.
    A quick glance around the restaurant showed that the portions here were firefighter huge. The MHA table was practically mounded with onion rings, nachos, beer, and burgers. The table was packed solid with fliers now, and she was so glad she wasn’t crammed in there. Brenna was right in the center of the mayhem. Denise suppressed a shudder; she was so glad to be at a table for two.
    Jeannie looked completely at ease in the madness, even sent a friendly smile Denise’s way which she did her best to return.
    Mickey and Bruce were working a table of obvious windsurfer tourists. The fact that it appeared to be three couples already didn’t even have them hesitating. The guys were utterly shameless. Well, she didn’t spot any wedding rings on the women, but still.
    â€œI’m glad you like Mom’s music.” Vern’s voice drew her attention back to the table. “She’s great. ’Course I grew up listening to her play.”
    â€œDo you?” She was so glad he’d dropped the earlier question because she was starting to suspect that she really wouldn’t like the answers once she found them.
    â€œDo I play?” He shuddered. “Mom tried to teach me. She gave up after like the fifth instrument. Claimed I was on the verge of giving her ears a coronary. Do you know her cut ‘Bad Man-Music’?”
    She did. It was funny. Gentle and kind, but definitely making fun of a bad musician.
    He tapped the center of his chest and made a small bow. “I did play backup guitar in the studio version. A sad attempt to redeem myself that is only tolerable because I think they unplugged my cable.”
    Denise felt her laugh bubble forth and covered her mouth with a hand, but that didn’t stop it. Not really.
    â€œYeah.” He grimaced. “Totally pathetic attempt. After that I was thinking I could maybe grow up to be a shepherd or something and never have to show my face in public again. Dad tried to make me into a boat mechanic. I liked to sail, but I can’t do the kind of things you can. Machines despise me in almost every way you can imagine except when I’m flying them. Where did you learn that anyway? You’re like freaking hippo-in-a-purple-haze good.”
    â€œI’m what?” Of the many things she’d been called behind her back, that wasn’t one of them.
    â€œIt’s from an old Bloom County cartoon. The guy who drew it lived on our island for some time. You’ve got a rep that goes right up to my neck of the woods.”
    â€œAll the way to Vashon?” It was a good joke, even if she could feel her cheeks heating up. She was never good at jokes, and she was bound to ruin this one. But it seemed good.
    â€œActually, yes. Old Yuri McKinnon, a crazy old coot with a Russian mom and a Scottish dad, mentioned this wizard female chopper mechanic. I’m guessing that’s you. Not a lot of female wrenches in the helicopter business.”
    â€œFlies a military 1953 Bell 47G-2A that never saw action in Korea.” She made it a flat statement. She’d worked on Yuri’s rotorcraft several times.
    â€œFlew. And how the hell did you know that?” His voice had gone cold and angry. No. Sad.
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t know.” She’d definitely