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Winnie grimaced.
Most of them were bleary eyed, except for Samantha in Germany, who’d just sat down for a lunch break.
“Greetings from Florida,” Dad said when they were all there. “Fortunately, I’m here and not in Utah, or I’d be as exhausted as Sarah and Scott.”
Smiles stretched across her siblings’ lips, but Winnie still couldn’t even fake one. If only Dad had been in Utah, then she wouldn’t have to be dealing with a call right now.
“Anyway,” he continued, his own smile brightening her screen in a mocking gesture, “I just called you all to share some exciting news that couldn’t wait for our usual chat.” He paused, no doubt for dramatic effect. “As you all know, Winnie has been struggling in England for a few weeks now.”
Samantha and Scott nodded their heads, and Winnie’s frown punctuated her brow even more. Struggling? She hadn’t been struggling. What lies had he been saying about her behind her back?
“That’s all coming to an end, though,” Dad continued. “She’s agreed to take on a position as a consultant at Kris & Sons.”
Words of congratulations and smiles sifted through her family.
“That’s amazing, Winnie!”
“Well done!”
“That’s one of the most prestigious companies in Chicago, isn’t it?” Sarah asked. Her smile wasn’t as bright as the others, though that could very well be due to the fact that she was half-asleep.
“It certainly is,” Dad said with pride—no doubt more for himself than for Winnie. “That brings me to my next announcement. Kris & Sons are also considering Knox Family Law Firm to be their permanent lawyers for all their future needs.”
More congratulations sounded for Dad, but Winnie looked up from her phone, staring out at the airplanes taxiing down the runways, rain speckling the windows of the airport in uniform patterns.
She’d miss the rain. Then again, she’d miss everything about England.
“So how did you get the job, Winnie?” Samantha asked. “Was the interviewing process super crazy?”
Winnie looked back to her phone, her spirits so low she could hardly breathe. “I wouldn’t know. Dad got it for me.”
Silence met her on the other end, and Winnie paused. What had she just said? She wasn’t entirely sure. She was so tired, so miserable. So…done.
Her brow pursed, but not in a disappointing frown, as per usual. Instead, something strange bubbled inside of her, something she didn’t recognize at all, but something she wanted to keep around.
“Now, that’s not entirely true,” Dad said with a strained laugh. “You convinced them with your merit and track record, Winnie.”
Winnie sniffed, nodding her head with an ironic smile. “Ah, yes. My stellar track record.”
More silence. What on earth was going on with her? Why was she being so snarky? So vocal? And why was she enjoying it? Even Dad seemed stunned by her actions.
“So does that mean you finished with the festival, then?” Sarah asked.
She’d been the only one to have ever texted Winnie about the job at Foxwood. Of course she would be the only one to ask her about it now.
“Apparently,” Winnie said. “Dad said I was done, so here we are.”
There was that feeling again. That foreign feeling of…freedom? Lack of care? Whatever it was, it rose as she sensed her family’s discomfort—discomfort that was only there due to her honesty. They were no doubt wondering what was going on with their baby sister.
“How did the Wintours take it?” Sarah asked next.
Winnie’s joy dampened at the memory of the Wintours and their kindness to her, but instead of stamping out the feeling of freedom altogether, she kept hold of it, longing to feel that satisfaction again.
“They couldn’t understand why I was leaving,” she stated simply. “And I couldn’t explain it to them either. Not in a way that made sense, anyway.”
Dad gave another tense chuckle. “I’m sure they can all understand that business is business. You simply received a better offer and accepted it.”
Oh, the Wintours knew business. But they knew heart more.
