“Did someone say date?” My twin brother Michael busted through the front door with a huge smile and carefree attitude. Ellie giggled. Her eyes lit up, and she squirmed in my arms. I sat her down and watched as she rushed over to Michael. He swept her up in his arms and tossed her in the air.
“I don’t want to hear about your dating life.” Mom rolled her eyes. “I meant Scott.”
“What dating life? Scott has a dating life?” Michael laughed and shoved me.
I knew he was teasing, and it was his way, but whenever Michael was around, I immediately felt like I needed to stand a little taller and prove my worth a little louder.
“I choose not to date, Michael. I don’t have the time right now. Just because I choose not to lead a hundred different women on, doesn’t mean I can’t date.” I folded my arms.
Michael chuckled. “One hundred, huh? Wow, rumors are going up.”
“Now, don’t you two start.” Mom eyed us both in a way that made me feel ten years old. “Oh, my rolls.” She dropped my arm and rushed to the kitchen, and we all followed her.
I saw my dad in the kitchen, leaning into the oven, pulling out the rolls. Mom smiled at him. “I figured you might forget, and I wouldn’t let these rolls go to waste. You already gave the other batch away to the neighbors. I’m a charitable man, but it only goes so far . . .”
Mom blushed and swatted his arm. “Oh, you tease.”
“No, I would gladly sell my soul to the devil for these.” He set the rolls on top of the old electric stove and put the hot pads away. “Scott, glad you could come. How’s things in Hillsdale?” Dadstrolled over and pulled me into a hug. “I want to hear all about it.”
Michael, Dad, and I all hovered around the rolls, watching them, hoping they would cool down faster.
“Terrible.” I decided not to sugarcoat. “I thought your firm was bad . . . but this.”
Dad flinched. “That bad, eh?”
“It’s everything. The system is a mess. He used stickers and random papers stuffed in folders. The people there think I can help with all their petty squabbles and pranks. No one pays for anything.” I rubbed my forehead. “I want to get your house out of debt fast, but I’m not seeing very many options.”
“It’s just a house,” Mom responded, but I knew her well enough.
“A house which you love.”
“True,” Mom sighed as she looked around. “I love it. But, at the end of the day, it's just a house.”
“A house that I won’t let you lose.”
Mom gave me another little hug. “You’re too good to me. And I appreciate all you do for us. I do hope you are taking some time for yourself, though. It’s not healthy?—”
Dad nodded. “I have some extra time. Maybe I could come help this week. Harry mentioned his office assistant would help the transition . . .”
“Oh, she’s trying.”
Mom’s eyes lit up. “She . . .”
I didn’t want her getting any ideas. “It’s just business, honest. But she might be my only chance to help resolve your house debt, if I can convince her.”
Mom’s eyebrows lowered. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged. “It’s complicated, but I have a plan.”
Michael teased, “If it’s complicated, there’s always a woman involved.” Ellie Jean leaned out of his arms to come back to me, and I greedily took her back.
Mom clapped her hands.
“Not like that, Mom. We’re not dating.” I didn’t want her to get her hopes up for romance. “I’m kind of tricking her.” I flinched and looked away from Mom.
“Are you taking advantage of someone, Scott?” Her hands went to her hips.
“No, honestly, she is gonna help me with something and I'm going to help her. It’s fine. I need her to help me get a deal with Raymond & Johnson Law in Haven Falls. It will fix everything.” I reached over and grabbed a roll. “Win-win. You don’t need to worry.”
