Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” I say when he hands me a glass.
After he’s poured one for himself, we walk to the edge of the water. I breathe easier being closer to Josh, who’s still feeding the ducks.
A luxury motorized boat is parked in the boathouse while a smaller rowing boat is tied to the jetty. Lounge chairs facing west to benefit from the sunset stands on a deck that’s covered with a thatch roof at the end of the jetty.
“How’s the illegal programming going?” he asks, watching Josh.
Keeping my demeanor indifferent, I say, “Good.”
“Have you made the big announcement?”
I take a swallow of my drink. “Yup.” The beer is yeasty. The spicy zest is refreshing.
“When’s the big day of becoming an official Starley shareholder?”
“I’m working on it,” I reply evasively.
“How’s married life treating you?”
“Great.”
“No more solo bar excursions?”
“It happened once,” I grit out.
“I’m not preaching.” He looks at me. “I’m just worried about Violet. She seems like a nice woman.”
I clench my teeth. “You don’t have to worry about my wife. I know how to take care of her.”
“Good.”
Josh abandons feeding the ducks. He runs into the boathouse and exits with a bike.
“Have you heard from Ian?” Damian asks.
“Not since we last talked.”
“Cas will need a medical checkup soon.”
He’s referring to her chronic heart condition. “Ian won’t smuggle her into the country.” I know my brother and how he operates. “He’ll fly a doctor out to the farm.”
He’s quiet as he considers that, both of us observing Josh who’s riding in circles on the lawn.
“Are you going to tell her?” he asks, turning an inquisitive gaze on me as he brings the glass to his lips.
The question is posed casually, but the meaning is loaded. To the rest of the world, Ian is dead. Damian carefully staged his death to organize his escape from prison. Can I let my wife in on that secret?
“I don’t know,” I say honestly.
“If you don’t know, the question you should be asking yourself is if you trust her enough with the truth.”
That answer is easy. No. Yes, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt where my property and my feelings are concerned, but I don’t trust Violet with that kind of truth yet. I guess trust isn’t black and white for us. In our case, it’s shitloads of gray.
“Just be careful,” Damian says. “Don’t let your dick make the decision.”
I shoot him a glare. “Fuck you.”
He chuckles. “You won’t be the first man to make that mistake.”
Somehow, I get the feeling he’s not talking about the male population in general. It sounds too much like he’s talking from personal experience.
The women exit the house, not giving me time to ponder the statement. Lina carries Josie on her hip and Violet is balancing a tray with snacks in her hands.
Making my way over, I leave my glass on the table to take the tray from Violet. While I help her to offload bowls of nuts, sliced fruit, and baby puree on the table, Damian takes Josie from Lina’s arms and secures her in a highchair at the end of the table. When Josh sees the snacks, he sprints over and grabs a slice of apple in each hand before going back to his bike.
Damian pours drinks for the ladies before installing himself next to Josie and feeding her the puree with the same meticulous attention he applies to running his diamond business. Lina keeps the atmosphere light, chatting amiably with Violet and asking questions about her new job that starts tomorrow, a subject they must’ve discussed in the kitchen.
After lying Josie down for a nap in a portable baby bed that Damian places in the shade of the tree, we sit down for lunch like a normal family on a lazy Sunday afternoon and not like the strangers we are. Not only did Lina make a big effort with the cooking, but she also goes out of her way to make us feel at home. She obviously has a good effect on Damian. He’s considerably more relaxed at home than he is at the office.
Josh is seated between Lina and Damian, but halfway through the lunch he pulls his chair next to mine. I can see why Damian is crazy about the kid. My brother and Lina have a great thing going. They made a home for themselves. Good for them. I’m happy for Damian. After everything he’s been through, he deserves his happiness.
When we clear the plates after lunch, Josie wakes. Damian carries her inside to change her nappy while Lina and Violet make coffee and Josh and I stay outside to play his new game. My gaze keeps on darting to the greenhouse windows and beyond them to the kitchen where the women are taking their time with that coffee. Violet contributed to the conversation politely and answered all the questions Lina posed, but she’s been tense all the same.