The rest of the Townsend clan filed out of the house, one by one. Robert Townsend patted me on the shoulder.
“Thank you.”
I could’ve sworn I saw wetness in his eyes, but he abruptly turned from me. He went over to Cole and kissed the boy on the head before whispering something in his ear.
“I’m sorry, Grandfather,” Cole said, still firmly held in Kayla’s arms.
Robert ruffled his hair and then gave me another nod of appreciation before heading to his chauffeured vehicle. Robert lived the farthest away, but it was less than a ten-minute drive back to Townsend Manor. Aaron, Carter, and Tyler lived within walking distance and soon made their exits as well, after ensuring that Cole was all right.
Once I checked and rechecked the security cameras and codes for all of the Townsend homes, I started for my car.
“Brutus,” Joshua called out.
I turned just in time for him to wrap me up in a hug. I stiffened, surprised by the embrace. But then I returned it.
“Thank you. I don’t know what …” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Thank you.”
“Go be with your son.”
He nodded, and Kayla, still holding onto Cole like she would never let him go, nodded my way. I returned the nod before climbing back into my car.
The only person I wanted to see was the woman I’d left in my kitchen. I just hoped she would be there once I returned.
CHAPTER16
Brutus
Don’t let her leave.
That was the message I’d texted my father right after I left my house to head to Joshua and Kayla’s. I suppressed the guilt I felt having to run out on her like that. Especially since she just returned from Colombia. Jameson’s warnings about the nature of our jobs flooded me.
Loathe as I was to admit it, he was right. I didn’t work the typical nine-to-five. And the hours I worked were often erratic and seemingly never ending. That could cause havoc on any relationship. Let alone one as new as ours.
But I wasn’t about to give Mia up. Not when we were just getting started.
I entered my front door and expelled a breath when I saw Mia emerge from down the hallway. Behind her was my father.
Her smile caused a reduction in the invisible band of pressure around my chest. She stopped a few feet from me, her eyes searching mine. I stood there, mesmerized by the fact that she was in my home. For the first time that I could recall, I looked forward to getting home at the end of a work shift or situation with the job.
“Looks like I’m no longer needed,” my father said, his voice breaking the silence.
I gave him a short nod before he did the same. He patted Mia on the shoulder. “Pleasure to finally meet you. We’ll have to finish that movie another time.”
She let out a little laugh that sent a shockwave up my spine. “I knew you were a romantic, Mr. Rick. There’s no fooling me.”
I watched their exchange. My father tossed his hands up in a surrendering fashion. “Guilty as charged. Who knew Nicholas Sparks could write so well.”
“Only everyone on the planet,” Mia quickly retorted.
“What do they know?” My father headed toward the kitchen that led to the backdoor and the path to the guesthouse.
“What was that about?” I asked, approaching Mia. I let my hands skim up the sides of her body before cupping her by the waist.
“Your dad likedThe Notebook.”
I blinked and looked from her to the door where my father just exited. “Excuse me?”
She guffawed. “It’s true. I think I saw him wipe away a few tears.”
