I smoothed my hand down Autumn’s back as she chatted with Scarlett.
Dad approached. “I hope you don’t mind the sandwiches. I thought it’d be easier to throw together at the last minute.”
“The party didn’t have to be at the last minute.”
A flash of hurt faded in his eyes. Right after, a burn ignited behind my sternum. I hadn’t eaten yet, but my heartburn didn’t care.
“I can still be a little impulsive,” he said roughly. “I was happy to have you home and then to find out it was for this.” His fond smile was aimed at Autumn.
“I’ll be around for a while.” Once the land sale was stopped, I was out. The board didn’t like their CEO gone for long. They were already sending semi-panicked messages.
“That’s music to these old ears.” He brushed his fingers down his freshly trimmed beard. The longer parts of his horseshoe mustache blended with the rest of his facial hair. “You two want to come out some night? Just us for a quiet meal?”
I didn’t want to see how the house had changed. How he had ruined any memory of Mom like he’d wrecked the ranch she was so proud of. “I’ll talk to Autumn.”
She turned into me. I was acutely aware of how the side of her breast was pushed into my side. I had almost ripped her damn bra off to get at those creamy tits.
“Hank invited us for supper,” I explained.
“Oh? What night?”
“Any night you want,” Dad answered. He sounded so damn excited. My heartburn grew more intense.
“We’d love to,” she gushed and I didn’t think she was doing it for show. “I’m not sure how this week will work though. I go back to work tomorrow, and the music teacher and I will be getting ready for the program Thursday night. I work at the bar on Wednesdays and on the weekends.”
She worked nights and weekends? I was prepared to work from her kitchen table during the day, but the disappointment that she’d be gone for some nights increased my reflux.
“I’ve got meetings Wednesday nights, but yeah, let’s plan for another week.” Dad’s smile was kind.
What meeting did he have? Was he being coy, trying to figure out how long I would be in town? We hadn’t addressed the question of where she and I were making our home. I was letting her family think I could work remotely and fly back and forth as needed.
We also hadn’t discussed how we’d end this after the month was done. I’d leave and we’d chalk it up to an impulsive move that wasn’t practical due to our different lives.
I’d bring that up to her. Later.
She returned his grin. “We’ll figure something out. Next week is conferences, and Halloween is next weekend. My kids love stopping by the house to trick-or-treat.”
“Oh, the heck,” Dad said, and he chuckled. “I never even think of that. Living out here, no one ever stops by.”
I expected his tone to make his statement a dig, but instead, all I heard was sadness.
“Same at Mama’s,” Autumn replied easily. “Trick-or-treating kids is a perk of living in town.”
“I’ll get to experience that next year, I reckon.” He traced his fingers around the inside of his waistband. There was a time when he’d lost so much weight I’d worried those pants would fall right off. The habit of pulling his jeans up must’ve stayed as he’d put back on much-needed weight.
Then what he said sank in. “You’re moving into town?”
He nodded. “That new senior housing place, not far from the elementary school.”
I scowled at him. I hadn’t thought of where he’d go. Had I thought he’d sell and then squat on the land like he was part of the deal?
Senior housing.
When had Dad become a senior?
My heartburn redoubled. Goddammit. I took a long pull of my punch, wishing there was a splash of Copper Summit in it. Then chagrin set in. I was wishing for a drink at an alcoholic’s place. Not only that, I myself lived by guidelines when it came to the stuff. I’d have a drink for business and during social events. Never because of emotion.Never.
You’re more like your old man than you thought. You need to get outta here, or you’re going to end up like him.My grandfather’s wheezy words came back to me.
