Xbox and Porter Boone wasn’t something Gus thought would ever be in the same sentence.
“My wife and father shared a great love forThe Sims.” He looked at his son. “Why don’t we get some ice cream before we meet up with Christopher and his parents?”
“Do you want an ice cream cone too?” Benjamin’s question was directed to Faith, his young face so hopeful Gus knew she wouldn’t say no.
“I would absolutely love one,” she replied lightly.
Benjamin started forward, and she fell into step beside the boy. “What’s your favorite flavor?”
Chocolate, Gus thought. He almost smiled when she answered.
“Chocolate with some peanut butter.”
“I never tried that.” Benjamin skipped at her side.
“I guess we’re getting ice cream.” Ford cracked a smile, and the two men followed Faith and Ben.
“I’m sorry about bringing up your father.” Gus still felt like an asshole for asking. For making Ben remember.
Ford was silent for a few moments and then shrugged. “I never hide anything from my son. As young as he is, I feel it’s not right to do that. I don’t believe a kid can grieve or learn to live without, unless they know the facts. And the simple fact was that the moment Belinda’s car crossed over the center line and hit that guardrail, then spun into oncoming traffic her life was over.”
It was obvious he loved his wife, and though he didn’t know this man, it surprised Gus. Maybe that said more about Gus than it did Ford.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Everyone’s sorry,” Ford replied. “And that’s a normal reaction. She was thirty-three and it’s not fair and it’s not the future I saw for us. Not the future I wanted for Ben. But Belinda saved a life too and that’s something most folks will never be able to do. Her heart went to a young woman in Florida.”
“Ben seems to be doing well with all of it.”
“He’s a great kid and deserved a big family with brothers and sisters, but right now, my focus is getting through it. I doubt we’ll ever be more than us.”
“You and your sister, you’re close?”
“We are, though I suppose with twins it’s not uncommon.”
His heart began to beat faster. “Do you have any other siblings?” Gus kept his eyes on Faith and Benjamin as time stretched long and thin. Was it weird to be asking these questions? Would Ford think so?
“I do,” Ford replied after a few moments.
“They live close by?” He kept his tone light, and maybe he should stop with the asking but his need to know was stronger.
“No,” Ford replied quickly, then followed up with a question of his own. “What about you?”
Surprised, Gus glanced at Ford.
“Where is your family from?”
He considered lying, but what was the point? It wasn’t as if Ford knew who he was, and Gus wasn’t a liar. Well, not exactly. He was just good at avoiding the truth.
“West coast. California.”
“And you settled in DC after you left the service?”
“I did.”
“Why are you in Fire Lake?”
“Working for you, apparently.”
