Moments after Stone hung up, Joan entered his office, followed by Stone’s Labrador retriever, Bob. The dog loped over to Stone.
Stone rubbed Bob’s head, as he said to Joan, “Mr. Humphrey said he’d make sure someone from the college would be available for the reading. Just coordinate with his office.”
“Will do. Tamlyn called while you were on the phone.”
“Oh?”
“She said she won’t be able to make dinner tonight. Something about a last-minute business trip to Atlanta.”
Stone tried to hide his disappointment. Their schedules really weren’t meshing lately.
The weight of that combined with this being his first day back at the office, and having to attend Trenton’s funeral, seemed to drain away the last of his energy.
Joan studied him through narrowed eyes. “You look tired.”
“What gave it away?”
“You should take the rest of the day off. Ash and I can handle anything that comes up.”
“Excuse me, but I was under the impression that I was the boss here.”
“Of course, you were. Now, go. We don’t need you falling asleep at your desk.”
He had to admit that calling it a day wasn’t a bad idea. “All right, all right,” he said, standing. “I’m going. I’m just upstairs if you need anything.”
“We won’t.”
“Can you at least pretend like I’m needed here?”
Joan put the back of her hand to her forehead. “Oh, Mr. Barrington. Whatever will we do in your absence?”
“Forget I asked that.”
She flashed him a smile and flounced out of the office.
“And stop flouncing!”
Stone and Bob went up to his study, where Stone poured himself a Knob Creek, retrieved a copy ofGreat Expectationsoff one of the shelves, and took a seat in his favorite chair to do a little reading.
Seconds later, he was fast asleep. Book unopened, drink untouched, and Bob curled at his feet, snoring.
Stone’s eyes shot open assomeone shook his shoulder.
“Dino? What are you doing?”
“I thought if I was going to have any chance at eating tonight, I needed to roust you from your stupor.”
Stone sat up. “What time is it?”
“Almost eight.”
“Sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”
“You think?”
“You could have eaten without me.”
“And listen to you complain that I didn’t care enough to check on you? Not a chance.”
