I was staying at a cabin, that was a part of Oceanside Motel, in the community of Twillingate. It was about a 4 hour drive from Maynard's Rock.

I thought it would be far enough for me not to be recognized. Not that anyone would recognize me.

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I was at the small pub in the motel, having a drink at the bar and chatting with the bartender, Hank. I was a regular at the Pub and having a couple beer there was a part of my nightly routine.

I got to chat with Hank and his wife, Cavelle, who were not only bartenders, but they owned the Motel and cabins.

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This particular night, Hank seemed distracted.

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"You okay, me buddy?"

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Hank laughed slightly.

"You know you have da worst Newfie accent, in da world, don't cha, Will, me son."

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"Well, at least I got a smile from you. You really seem distracted, my friend."

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He took a deep breath and sat on the stool that was at the end of the bar.

"Business hasn't been dat good, Will. And quite honestly, the stress of running this place is gettin' to me and da wife. We don't get no time fer nuttin'. And we can't afford to hire any new staff. We even has our 2 kids workin' here on the weekends."

He laughed.

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"What?"

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"Youse a good guy, Will. I wish we had more people like you, dat were stayin' here. We mite not be in da pickle we is."

He stood up.

"Maybe den we wood git a break, now and den."

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Cavelle came to the bar, with a tray of empty glasses and bottles.

"You bendin' poor ole Will's ear, with our problems?"

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"Its okay. I just wish I could help."

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She smiled.

"Ifin you could lend us some money, dat might help."

She turned from the bar.

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"How much?"

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She stopped and turned. A huge smile on her face.

"It not be your problem, Will."

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I finished my beer and motioned for another.

"Cavelle? How much money are we talking?"

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Hank passed me a beer.

"To git us out of debt and maybe git a few updates done, it would be about $300,000."

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I sipped my beer.

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Cavelle smiled.

"Don't be worryin' 'bout it, Will."

She kissed my cheek.

"We Doves have always looked after our own problems."

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"Doves?"

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Hank laughed.

"Dat be our last names, Will. Didn't you knows dat?"

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I shook my head.

"No. I didn't," I laughed.

"Guess it never came up."

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There was a moment of silence. I watched Cavelle deliver beer to a table in the corner.

I really had become endeared to the couple and their two children, Billy and Elaine.

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Cavelle returned to the bar and flopped on a stool, next to me. She looked exhausted.

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"Will $300,000 be enough?"

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She turned to me.

"What did you say, Will?"

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"I asked if $300,000 would be enough."

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Hank passed his wife a glass of wine.

"You 'appen to have that layin' around dere, Will?"

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"You never answer my question. Is that enough to do all the renovations and updates you need, along with hiring proper staff?"

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Cavelle laughed.

"A half million would be nice. We could do one of dem website things and really advertise."

She sipped her wine and looked at me.

"You be sweet, Will. Thank you for caring."

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"I will be a silent partner."

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Cavelle shook her head.

"What's ya sayin', Will?"

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I smiled. I had my mind made up.

"I don't want to work here. Well maybe just for fun, help out at the bar."

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Hank and Cavelle looked at each other.

"What are ya yammerin' 'bout, Will?"

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I pointed to a notepad at the back of the bar.

"Pass me that paper, Hank. And a pen."

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He passed me the paper and I started writing.

"I will have the website set up. Once all the renovations are done, we will take new pictures and put them on the site. We will get associated with BBB and I will talk to the Department of Tourism. We will need to get on their lists.

Maybe we could build an extension on the motel and expand the restaurant and Pub. Maybe even dinner theatre. I think that would be a great fit for here.

Most of the renovations are cosmetic, I assume?"

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I looked toward the two. They were staring blankly at me.

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"Hello? Renovations? Mostly replacing old fixtures and beds and such. Paint and other repairs."

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Hank nodded.

"We are not below code, but we re gettin' close. We needs to do it before we gits to dat point."

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I nodded and kept writing on the notepad.

"I will be your partner, but you will continue to manage and run the place. It will strictly be an investment on my part.

I will lend you the money, interest free and you have 10 years to pay me back."

I laughed.

"Or whatever."

I continued to write.

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Cavelle put her hand on my arm.

"You be serious dere, Will?"

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I nodded.

"Very."

I stared at both of them.

"Look. I really like both of you and since I have been staying here, you have not pushed to find out anything about me, other than what I have offered. And I so appreciate that fact.

You are both hard working people and quite honestly, I think you have a great opportunity here to have a successful business.

You just need a little help. I will help you."

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Cavelle was in tears.

She got off her stool and hugged me tight, now crying freely.

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I held her for a moment, but then said, "enough of the waterworks. You will have me crying here, in a minute."

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She smiled and wiped her eyes.

"Thank you, so much."

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I turned the notepad around.

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Hank read it aloud.

"This is an agreement between Will Templeton and my friends, Hank and Cavelle Dove.

I am going to help you fix your place up and we are going to be partners.

I do not want the money paid back?"

He looked at me.

"Will? We can't ...."

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I stopped him.

"Keep reading."

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He fought back the tears.

"My return on my investment will be a cabin always available for me and a friend at the bar to talk to, every night."

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They both looked at me.

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"Well?

Sign."

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"Will," Cavelle started to say.

"We can't ..."

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I began a countdown.

"10 ...

9 ...

8 ...

only 7 seconds left."

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They both smiled and quickly signed the paper.

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I took a deep breath and held my hand to Hank.

"We still have to shake."

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He did so.

And so did Cavelle.

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I reached into my pocket and pulled out a $100 bill.

"A drink for everyone."

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Hank shook his head and rang the ships bell at the end of the bar. A sign that someone had bought a round for the house.

"Dis one be on us, Will."

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I took the notepad and tore off the sheet.

In the morning I would transfer the money into the Motel account and I would do all that I could, to help them get everything going in the right direction.

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Later that night, I stood outside the door of my cabin and lit a cigar ...

using the paper we had all signed, as a match.

I watched it burn and dropped it to the ground, until there was only ash left.

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I felt good inside.