REESE
“Let me know,” I said with a sigh. “Whatever you need me to do. I can go back to his house and check things out. Maybe there’s something I missed.”
“Don’t bother,” Clark replied. “I’m still digging through leads. I know it’s slow, but not everyone is interested in talking. I’ve got to go at this the right way. I don’t want to piss anyone off and risk pushing them to do something they weren’t planning.”
“I understand,” I said. “Thanks for calling.”
“Talk to you later.”
I ended the call and stared at the wall across from my desk. The picture of the two of us together at some benefit dinner years ago stared back at me. I remembered when that picture was taken. I’d been pissed at him for overshadowing me. I was still trying to establish myself in his world and it always felt like I was in his shadow.
What I wouldn’t give to be in his shadow right now. I couldn’t believe how much I missed him. We argued a lot. We butted heads over just about anything. I couldn’t wait until he retired and stepped all the way away from the business so I could run it the way I thought it should be run.
Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I always knew this day would come eventually, but I never expected it to be quite like this. There was so much unfinished business. So much more I wished I could say. I never thanked him for being such a good role model. He had taught me well. I was benefiting from that tutelage.
If he was dead, I hoped he was somewhere looking down at me and smiling. I wanted him to know life was good. I missed him, but everything else was going well. I got up from the desk and left my home office. I could smell onions and peppers. The smell made my stomach growl.
“It smells amazing,” I said and wrapped my arms around Thea from behind.
“Thank you. How was your call?”
“Fruitless,” I said. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “What can I do to help?”
“Can you put the Coronas in that bucket with some ice?” she asked.
“Absolutely. What time is everyone going to be here?”
“Six,” she answered. “I think I have everything else. The table is set. I’ve got all the condiments for the fajitas out. We’re ready.”
I smiled at her as she wiped her hands on her apron. I knew it was way old-fashioned, but seeing my woman in the kitchen wearing an apron that had been her mother’s, I had to recognize this was a beautiful sight.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Is there something on my face?”
“No. You’re beautiful. I can’t stop looking at you. You belong here.”
Kona barked once from her place in the corner of the kitchen. I rolled my eyes. “You too, Kona.”
“I’m going to put my shoes on. Put the beer in the dining room on the sidebar please.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied.
I was happy to be bossed around by my lady. Kona followed me into the dining room with her nose in the air. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned. “This is your mom’s first dinner party. You don’t get to be a nuisance. You can lay in the corner, but if you misbehave, you’re out with the other two.”
She sauntered over to the round dog bed in the corner and flopped down. There were dog beds from one end of the house to the other. Thea thought I was spoiling the dogs by bringing home new ones all the time. I had figured out pretty quick they would lie down on the beds wherever I put them. That meant they would stay out from under my feet. Peppy and I had already had several very close encounters. The dog was barely above my ankles. I didn’t make it a habit to watch my feet when I walked until Peppy became my roommate.
I greeted each of our guests, giving them a brief tour of the house. Clay, Ally, Lucas, and Rich were all invited. It sucked a bit not to have any of my own family represented. It just reminded me of my father’s absence even more. I couldn’t dwell on it.
“Who wants a beer?” I asked. “We’ve got fresh lime.”
“Me,” Lucas teased.
“Chocolate milk is in the fridge, big boy,” I joked.
“Where’s Thea?” Ally asked.
“She was changing,” I answered.
“I’m here,” Thea called out.