“Okay.”
After another hug for Declan and a kiss to his cheek, I picked up my suitcase and strode toward the airport’s doors. Turning, I grinned and waved, grateful to see both wave back. Then I went inside, whistling, to fly to Atlanta.
***
In between meetings with potential investors, I called home. I also called just before Declan’s bedtime. Though I craved to also call in the morning before the meetings began, I shoved the urge aside. On all the calls, Jacy sounded cheerful, Declan more so. As he seemed to be a gauge measuring Jacy’s demeanor, I took his happiness as a good sign.
“Have your damn cats scratched up my sofa yet?”
“Daaad.” Declan’s exasperation made me laugh. “Jacy bought them a scratching post. We’re teaching them to scratch that.”
“Oh, good. I don’t want to have to turn them into mittens this winter.”
“Dad!”
I laughed. “I’m kidding, little man.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Just think. They’d be with you always as tiny little kitten mittens.”
Declan took the cell from his ear to yell, “Jacy! Dad’s gonna make mittens out of Wendy and Peter.”
Jacy must have grabbed the phone from him. “Not funny, dude. You apologize right now.”
Declan sounded more peeved than upset when he returned to the phone. “Dad, you be nice to my cats.”
“I’m sorry, little man. I really was just joking.”
“When will you be home?”
“Tomorrow night, baby. Miss me?”
“No. You’re mean to my cats.”
I chuckled. “When I get home, I’ll kiss them, and tell them I’m sorry. They’re good kitties. They look after you, don’t they?”
“Wendy smacked Max today. But she didn’t hurt him.”
“I’m sure Max deserved it. Will you put Jacy back on the phone?”
“Yeah. Bye, Dad.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Jacy came back on the line. “Avery?”
“Can you pick me up tomorrow night? My plane gets in around eight.”
“Sure. Did you make the deal?”
“Still working on it. But it’s looking good. I’ll call you when my plane departs, okay?”
“Sure thing. Bring Declan a present. Maybe something for his cats. He adores them so much.”
I laughed. “I can do that. Get them stoned on catnip.”
