“Would you be all right with saying our goodbyes to your parents and the others and heading over to my place?”
“I’d be more than all right with that. Let’s go.”
“Thanks for meeting me again,” Marshall said to Lewis, who once again sat opposite him in the café. “I know it’s last minute, so I wasn’t sure you could make it.”
“I didn’t have anything better to do. Sharing two meals in one day is nice. Makes things less lonely.”
“I’m sorry. You’re taking the full six-week leave?”
Lewis sighed. “They offered it and I decided to accept it. For now. I can always go back early, but I’ll be honest. I’m getting older and it takes me a while to bounce back from things.”
His friend raised his brow. “I wouldn’t exactly call your son’s suicide something to bounce back from.”
Lewis waved his hand. “That’s not how I meant it.” He paused, then pushed the pastry away from him. “Caden read me the riot act about Rochelle.”
Marshall laughed. “And you took it?”
“On the chin.”
His friend stopped and stared. “Getting soft in your old age?”
Lewis scoffed. “I’d like to think wiser.” He looked away and out the window. “Initially, I dismissed everything he said, but some of it resonated—especially when Gavin, a friend of Caden’s, basically said the same thing a short time later.”
“What was it all about?”
“You know my father was a military man.”
“I remember.”
“He was hard-nosed, as rigid as they come.”
“Sounds like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—or whatever that analogy is.”
His friend shot him a pointed look and Denning shook his head. “I’m not that rigid.” He paused. “Okay, maybe I am. Now.” He sipped his coffee. “Back then, I had dreams of being a doctor, did I ever tell you that?”
“You might have mentioned it one night while you were raging against your father.”
“I hated him and yet . . . I’ve turned into him, haven’t I?”
“Are you going to get all sappy?”
A laugh slipped from him. “When have you ever known me to be sappy?”
“Good point.”
“No, I was just thinking. My father had to bribe me to join the military. Literally. He said if I didn’t, he’d turn my inheritance over to charity.”
“That’s pretty harsh.”
“It was so much money. Old family money that I’d been waiting a lifetime to get my hands on. I let him buy me and I’ve hated myself for it ever since.” Lewis shook his head. “I did the same thing to Rochelle too.”
“Only the opposite. You locked her money down because she joined up.”
“She thinks I hate her. The truth is, I respect and admire her. She gave up millions to follow her dreams. And you know what’s crazy? She did it without blinking. I honestly don’t think she even considered anything but joining the Army.”
“Sounds like you have a few regrets about some things.”
The general sighed. A heavy, weighted breath. “Maybe I am getting old and second-guessing myself. My father made decisions for me that I hated. Decisions that hinged on the money.” He shook his head. “That stupid money. I sacrificed my dreams for it and most people would kill for it. But honestly, some days it’s just an albatross that I’d like to shake off.”
His friend snorted and choked on the sip of iced tea he’d been in the process of taking. “Well, shake it my way. I can always put it into the research and development side for this project.”
“I’m afraid I’ve invested all I can. But enough about that. I’m whining. How are you doing finding the last of your needed funds?”
“I think we’ve got it covered. Or will have it soon. I’m optimistic and ready to see this thing finished and on the market.”
Lewis nodded. “I’m excited for you. You’re doing some worthwhile things and should be proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
Marshall grinned. “Thanks. That means a lot.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to making peace with those we love and helping those who can’t help themselves.”
Lewis clinked his coffee cup to the tea glass and wondered what it would take to get Rochelle talking to him again. Well, if she wanted her mail, she’d have to talk to him. He had a whole bagful to give her.
When Gavin pulled into the parking spot of her apartment complex, Sarah tried to see it through his eyes. Run-down, shabby, slumlord owned and operated. All would be true, but she loved her little place.