"I have no idea, but you won't hear me complain. This is the stuff I've missed over the years." Jackson put a large slice on a plate and handed it to Lance.
"I imagine there's a lot you missed. I'm so glad you're back." Lance stared at his brother. "You're really going to stick around this time?"
"I'll stay in the area. I'm not sure how long I'll stay with you, but yeah, I'm officially done with the military. Here to stay. I'm taking a couple of weeks to adjust, then will go work for my friend Elliot. He's the one that has that security agency I talked about before. I'll be working jobs throughout Texas, but he claims there's plenty of work around here to keep me close to home if I want." Jackson set another plate of cake aside for Angus, then cut his own slice. "Anything new with you I need to know about?"
"Not that I can think of. A lot's happened, but nothing we can't talk about later. Nothing lifechanging or important." Lance took a bite of cake and groaned. "So good."
Angus walked back in. "Thanks whoever cut me a slice." He sat down and pulled the plate toward him. "Dad said that if you need help with yard tomorrow to give him a call. He'll be around after his golf game. Mom said not to cook because she's bringing dinner over tomorrow night for us."
"She doesn't need to do that," Jackson said.
"Don't go thinking it's all about you," Lance told him. "I mean, this time it probably is, but she cooks for us a lot. We often come home to find food waiting for us. Which reminds me, Lizzy and Martin have a key to the house, and so does Franks, though he never uses it. But don't be shocked if you walk in and find Lizzy in the kitchen. She's afraid we'll live off frozen dinners if she doesn't feed us from time to time."
"Which we might." Angus grinned.
"Maybe, but we have been better about cooking." Lance glanced out the window to see the ghosts lost in conversation. "I bet Kel's excited to have others around he can talk with."
"I think so. I know leaving the other guys was hard on him too, but I think we were both ready for change. He might have stayed had it not been for you and the ghosts here. I think that was a big draw for him. While I knew he was with me, we could hardly talk the way you can talk to ghosts." Jackson scraped his fork across his plate to get the last of the cake, then got up to take the dishes to the sink. "You guys okay if I crash early? I spent all day on a plane, and my body has no clue what time it is."
"Go relax. Sleep in tomorrow and take it easy for a few days. We'll both be busy at work. Other than asking you to let Haunt out on a leash for a few days, we're good." Lance shook his head. "I'm still stunned you're finally home."
"Me too." Jackson playfully slugged Lance's shoulder. "We'll catch up soon."
"Count on it." Lance watched his brother head out of the room, then looked at Angus. "What a night, huh?"
"Not the quiet evening at home I'd planned on, but I'm glad Jackson is home safe. Now if we can figure out how to solve the pest problem in the backyard, everything will be good." Angus stood and started putting the cake and pizza away for the night. "I need to make sure my suit is decent for dinner on Friday. I can't remember if I had it dry cleaned after that last court hearing I had."
"I think we did." Lance mused how seldom they dressed up since they each owned one suitcoat. Somehow, he figured most men had several by their age.
"All stuff we can figure out tomorrow." Angus set the last of the dirty dishes in the sink. "Let's go find something on TV and relax for a while." He glanced at the door where Haunt was still staring out at the backyard. "You want to come sit with us, girl?"
The dog glanced their way, then snorted as she lay down with her head on her paws, her gaze returning to the backyard.
"We'll be back to let you out before bed." Lance laughed at the dog before heading to the living room, and the couch where he could finally relax with Angus by his side.
CHAPTER THREE
Lance parked the car in the lot just down the street from Desorio's. It had been a long week at work, and he was looking forward to the night out with family and friends. He wasn't sure why Lizzy and Martin had picked one of the most expensive restaurants in town, but he was looking forward to the food.
He'd only been to Desorio's twice. Once during a date years ago that had turned into a horrible night, and another time for a work event. Both times, the food was delicious.
"There's Jackson and Megan." Angus nodded to the other side of the parking lot. "I'm betting Mom and Dad are already at the restaurant."
Lance glanced over and saw his brother take Megan's hand as he helped her out of the new truck Jackson had bought two days before. His brother was settling in quickly, not wasting any time in getting what he needed. Lance figured it was only a matter of time before that included buying his own house in the area. At least Lance hoped it was in the area. He'd spent enough time away from his brother and wanted him close now that he'd left the military.
"Hey, guys." Megan smiled as the couple approached them.
"You look amazing, Meg," Angus told her.
"Thanks. You guys as well. Can't remember when I last saw you in a suit," Megan teased.
"Doesn't happen often." Lance tugged at the knotted tie at his neck. "Don't get used to it."
"I think the last time I saw him dress up was probably Mom and Dad's funeral," Jackson told them. "Lance never was a suit kinda man."
"As if you are." Lance rolled his eyes at Jackson.
"I had a uniform to wear, but I've worn my share of suits over the years for one event or another." Jackson wrapped an arm around Megan's waist. "We should probably get inside."
