“I’m not playing anything,” Zia retorted. He slammed the car door, gunned the motor, and sprayed gravel in his departure.
Noah watched the headlights gradually become swallowed by the night. “I can’t tell you what it means, being able to call this place my temporary home.”
“The valley does grow on you, sure enough.” Amos drained his mug and rose slowly. “What are you going to do with what Jenna told us tonight?”
Noah was fairly certain he knew the answer to that question. He had thought of little else since Jenna’s surprise revelation. But he wasn’t ready to shape it into words. Not just yet. And then there was the issue of who should be hearing it first. So all he said was, “I haven’t decided.”
Amos walked into the kitchen, rinsed out his and Zia’s mugs, then returned and stood over Noah, studying his brother. Then, “Yeah, you have.”
When Noah did not respond, Amos patted his shoulder and left the porch. He stopped by his ride for a long moment, a silhouette facing back toward the farmhouse. Then he climbed into the driver’s seat, started the motor, and headed out. Leaving Noah alone with the night.
CHAPTER16
Noah called just as Jenna was leaving Miramar. “I hope you understood the farewells I gave most of the crew last night did not include you.”
She recalled the way Noah had walked her down the line of vehicles to her ride. How he had thanked her for sharing the events surrounding Dino and her boat. Sounding almost formal. And solemn. Like he truly valued what she had to say. The warmth and concern in his gaze and voice had calmed away her fears over having done the wrong thing. They had also gentled her into sleep. They were with her still. “I knew that. But thanks for saying it anyway.” Over the car’s speakers she heard the rumble of a massive engine. “What’s that?”
“Warren is testing the engines. And the electricians were here on time. They woke me at six. Zia and Amos didn’t leave until after midnight.”
“You should take the afternoon off.”
“If only.”
“I’ll write you a note.”
“I’m pretty sure these crews don’t care. They should, but they won’t. Where are you now?”
“On my way to San Lu. For a meeting that might last centuries. Or at least feel that way.”
“Does that mean you won’t be coming by?”
She smiled over the disappointment in his voice. “Sol insists on my being there for the reading of Dino’s will. I have no idea how long that will take.”
“Maybe the old man left you a million bucks.”
“Even if he did, I wouldn’t take it. I’d only fight the family for years.”
“For a million bucks, I might help you fend off a few nasty relatives.”
“You don’t know Dino’s family,” she replied. “Or their lawyers.”
“So I guess you won’t be telling his relatives about the progress we’re making on repairing his boat.”
She laughed at that. “Tempting, but no.”
“Can you stop by after?”
“Again, tempting.” She loved the way he asked. Like it mattered to him. A lot. “But it’s probably best if I go home, open a bottle of something, and drink away the aftermath of this meeting.”
“I could help. You know. With the bottle.”
Her smile felt so good. So natural. “Another time.”
“I have something I’d like to talk with you about.”
“Can it wait?”
“Do I have to?”
