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but when I was your age, I got my share. That’s how I know they like to split open. If you’ve got any heavy chores today, I’ll give you a hand so that doesn’t happen.”
    The boy and his mother both stopped and turned to stare.
    “You’re gonna be here today?” Jann asked.
    Alex nodded. “I’ll be here for a long time.”
    “You will?” Jann’s face lit with excitement.
    “But…but we have no more room,” Inga murmured.
    Alex stared at Inga, quite certain she knew who he was and where he intended to stay.
    She flushed and turned back to the stove.
    “I don’t need help with my chores,” Jann said, oblivious to the exchange between Alex and his mother. “But we sure could use a bartender.”
    “Jann!” his mother exclaimed.
    “Well, it’s true. Max isn’t doing a good job. I think Aunt Penny’s gonna send him away. That means Aunt Penny or Miss Jewel are gonna have to do it, and you know they don’t like it.”
    Inga paused.
    “Pourin’ drinks makes Miss Jewel real sad. I don’t wanna see her sad, do you, Ma?”
    The woman shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
    The way she answered puzzled Alex.
    Inga seemed close to tears, thinking of Jewel tending bar.
    The more he heard, the more he knew there was something strange going on in The Copper Penny.
    Penny might think she didn’t need his help, but he wasn’t so sure. There were too many mysterious glances and unspoken words around here to suit him. He was going to stick as close as he could to discover the problem.
    “Maybe I can help.” He’d made up his mind.
    “Vhat?” Inga’s voice was barely above a whisper.
    “You can?” Jann beamed.
    “I don’t drink anymore,” Alex added. “I gave it up when I found the Lord. But I think I can remember enough to help out.”
    “But vhy? Vhy vould you do this?” Inga asked.
    “Because I don’t want my wife behind a bar. Besides, this business is important to Penny. It’s her livelihood. I’ll help out until we can find another solution.”
    “That’s great, Mr. Alex. Just great!” Jann said.
    Looking at Inga’s worried expression, Alex knew not all of the residents at The Copper Penny would agree.
     
    ****
     
    Laughter finally drove Penny out of her room. She’d stayed upstairs all afternoon to avoid Alex.
    Inga had come upstairs to tell her what had transpired in the kitchen.
    Penny had every intention of thanking Alex for his offer to tend bar and sending him on his way, but she couldn’t forget the look on his face when he’d first seen Lexie. That look had torn out Penny’s heart and at the same time made it beat again.
    She closed her eyes against the image, trying to block it, to find a way to tell him to go, but she couldn’t find the words or the courage. In the end, the laughter had drawn her out. She crept to the top of the stairs where she could watch them play.
    They’d been at it now for hours, most of the afternoon. Once they’d stopped, and Inga brought them oatmeal cookies and milk.
    Alex smiled and ate. He’d stared at Lexie and listened to Jann’s story of how when his pa had died, Ma didn’t speak any English and they had no place to go. Aunt Penny had made them come and live with her and they’d been together ever since.
    Alex had nodded and smiled. That smile.
    It made Penny’s heart do flip-flops, and it terrified her. It could make her feel things she didn’t need to feel.
    Alex gestured to Jann who crept around the back of the bar.
    Lexie went the opposite way. When she came around the corner and saw Jann, she squealed and ran back…straight into Alex’s arms.
    They laughed and rolled backwards on the floor. Alex cradled Lexie with his good arm.
    Lexie noticed it. “What’s wrong with your arm?”
    “I got shot in the war and now it doesn’t work like it should.”
    “My daddy was killed in the war.”
    Alex hesitated and Jann grew silent.
    Fortunately, Lexie didn’t seem to notice. “Can I see your arm?” she asked.
    “Yes. I’ll