Lance glanced at Angus who shrugged.
"I'll have to speak with Megan, but I'm free." Jackson glanced at his brother.
"Yeah, Angus and I are free," Lance told them, surprised by the offer, but a little excited for a night out at such a nice restaurant.
"I've already spoken to Megan," Lizzy informed them. "She's already agreed." Lizzy frowned as she noticed Haunt by the sliding glass door. "What in the world is wrong with her? She didn't even jump up to say hello." Lizzy stepped over to the dog and crouched to pet her.
"She's digging the flowerbeds up," Angus told them. "We might have voles or something she's after." He glanced at his father. "Any idea how to remove them?"
"I know there are poisons, but it's more humane to use traps. Care if I walk out and look?" Martin asked.
"Just don't let Haunt out. She's on a leash until we get this cleared up." Angus went over to hold the dog as his mother and father walked out back with Jackson.
Lance glanced at Angus. "Did you know they wanted to take us to dinner?"
"No, I haven't talked to either of them in a few days. Honestly, Desorio's means suit and tie, so I probably would have tried to talk them out of it." Angus shrugged.
Lance laughed. "I like the way you look in a suit and tie."
"Yeah, I do too. I just don't like the way I feel in one." Angus let Haunt go after making sure the door was shut tight. He walked over and took a seat again. "Your brother looks good."
"He does. I'm so relieved he's home. We got that bedroom uncluttered just in time." They'd been storing boxes in there since Angus had moved in and had just finished clearing it out the week before. "I doubt he'll stay here very long. He'll want his own space."
"Maybe he'll move in with Megan." Angus reached for another slice of pizza.
"Maybe, but I don't see him in an apartment. Guess time will tell. For now, it will be nice having him around." Lance smiled. "I didn't really believe him when he kept saying he was done with the military. I thought he'd change his mind and stay, but I'm glad he didn't. I worried about him a lot over the years."
"Now you can worry about him here." Angus grinned.
"You know me so well." Lance laughed, then jumped up to grab Haunt when he saw everyone headed back inside. The dog fought him as she tried to escape as soon as the door was open. Lance held tight despite her wiggling in his arms. Once everyone was in and the door was once again shut, he let her go.
"Well, I'd say it looks like voles, but it could be shrews or even small gophers. Hard to say. I'd get a few traps and see what you catch. You can release them down by the Fairway Bridge or out near the racetrack." Martin washed his hands at the sink. "Haunt sure did tear up that area, didn't she?"
"You should have seen her when I got home. She was covered in dirt." He went on to tell them about how she'd run back out after her bath and gotten mud everywhere. "I'm not sure it's worth replanting. It's already late in the season."
"Could do pumpkin, but you'd better make sure you are rid of whatever's out there or they could eat your seeds." Lizzy stole a slice of pepperoni off Angus's pizza.
"You're lucky you're my mother. Anyone else would have gotten their hand slapped," Angus teased.
"There's plenty. Take a slice or two," Lance told them.
"We've already eaten. I just had to annoy my son." Lizzy bent and kissed Angus's cheek. "We'll be going. Betty is staying to visit with the ghosts but won't be in your way."
"She's always welcome," Lance told her. "As are both of you."
"My favorite son-in-law." Lizzy came over to kiss his cheek.
"Not yet, but someday." Lance hugged her.
"Thanks for the cake. You sure you won't stay and enjoy it with us?" Jackson asked as he got plates from the cupboard.
"Nope, we have one just like it at home. You three enjoy. We'll see you on Friday, seven o'clock at Disorio's. We've already made reservations." Lizzy waved a goodbye to the ghosts through the window. "Call us if you need anything, Jackson. We're always around."
"Thank you." Jackson started to cut the cake.
"I'll walk you out." Angus stood.
Lance watched them go, then smiled at his brother. "What makes you special enough to get Martin's famous cake?"
