Back in Davenport, Benjamin dropped Julie off at her office and after asking for a recommendation for lunch, he drove to Ben and Betty’s Café. He sat with his back to the room at a table in the corner and proceeded to read the contract, interrupted only twice—to give his order and to receive it. When he’d eaten every morsel of his steak, chips, and salad, he ordered a coffee and by the time he’d emptied the mug, he’d also finished reading the contract. Taking out a pen, he signed it then got up, paid his bill, and returned to the real estate office.
“You must have inhaled your lunch,” Julie said with her trademark giggle.
“I have a long drive ahead of me,” Benjamin replied.
“You’re going back to the city today?” She sounded surprised.
Benjamin nodded. “I have a dog at home. I was going
