Lucas had already sent the text and his phone vibrated. “Beau’s in. He’ll take care of the bait.”
A comfortable silence fell between them. Their food came and they polished it off with little effort.
Rex took a drink of his refilled tea and leaned forward with his forearms on the table. “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind before I go back to work or not?”
“Are you happy with the realtor you used for your house?”
“Yes. She’s the wife of a coworker, and she was named top producer for the company last year.” Rex grimaced. “Jeff still makes sure to bring it up in conversation at least once a week, though I guess I’d also brag if it were Monica.”
“Who was it?”
Rex sent him a text with the realtor’s link. “Thinking of buying a house?”
“Not just any house. Cecil’s house.”
“He’s selling it?”
Lucas nodded. “I just found out this morning.”
“I’d have thought Serena would want it.”
“She does, but she won’t ask any favors of him.” Lucas bit down on the inside of his cheek while debating how much to share. “I saw tears in her eyes when she talked about it, but she’s too prideful for her own good sometimes.”
“I’m assuming she doesn’t know you’re going to buy it?”
“It didn’t cross my mind until after I left, and that could have been an awkward conversation.”
Lines formed on Rex’s forehead. “Why?”
It was obvious to him, but he spelled it out for his brother. “I’m not going to move in with her, but I can’t kick her out of her house.”
Rex pressed his fingertips against his forehead. “There’s an easy solution.”
“Which would be?”
“Marry her.”
He coughed and sputtered. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“Do you even have to ask?”
“I love her, that’s not a question, but three months ago we hated each other. That’s a quick jump to marriage.” His eyes drifted to the wedding band on Rex’s left hand. “Isn’t it?”
“Every couple is different, but when you know, you know. Monica and I had our problems before finally getting together. Once we did, we didn’t have a long engagement, but we had a unique situation.”
“Do you regret it?”
“Not one bit.” A content smile tugged at Rex’s mouth. “Marriage is good, brother, really good. You should try it.”
Chapter Sixteen
Serena popped two ibuprofens in her mouth and washed them down with half a cup of water. She envied people who didn’t get headaches. Lately, it seemed she got them more and more. She suspected she needed to have her eyes check for five years had passed since her last eye exam. Reading glasses weren’t cutting it anymore.
She forced her attention back to work. A district judge was hosting an elaborate first birthday party for his grandson, and Serena had to validate travel arrangements for all the family members who would fly in.
That was the easy part. The judge had a vision of a train-themed party, complete with train rides for the young guests. There were plenty of companies who had barrel trains to rent, but no, the judge wanted a real train, no matter that would require a track.
She’d found a carnival ride that might work, but she hadn’t heard from the judge on his approval one way or another. It would ease her headache if he would be reasonable and understand his request was nearly impossible. She’d gladly go above and beyond what was required, but she wasn’t a miracle worker.
