in bed together a few times. The last time she’d dropped by to see Duster—Candee code for wanting sex, since she barely looked at the dog, he’d gently declined and driven her home, making her swear to stop drinking beer and looking through the wedding album. At least not on an empty stomach.
“How’s your dad doing?” Candee asked him.
“Not great. He’s on his third whiskey.” Abbott always had the good stuff, his father had said, downing the first glass of Pinch in one swallow, holding out the glass for a second while people behind him waited to be served. A few minutes later, he’d gone after the drink he now held. His father rarely drank, so this was proof of his deep distress at the loss of his friend.
“I wanted to skip the reception, but he insisted.” I’m not running off with my tail between my legs. “I’m afraid he’s going to get into it with somebody from Wharton.” During the service, his father had fumed when the mayor mentioned Abbott’s integrity and generosity. Integrity, my ass, he’d muttered. He’s a robber baron. And generous? He stole my company for a song.
“He needs to eat something,” Candee said. “I’ll fix him a plate.”
“That’d be great. He listens to you. See if you can talk him into leaving. His car’s at Auto Angels.”
“Will the shop be open?”
“Tony gave him a key, since he’s always tinkering on something or other.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks, Candee.” He watched her head for the dining room.
When he turned back, he saw his father was talking to Joseph Banes, leaning in, intent. Joseph’s face was bright red.
Dylan headed over, arriving just as his father said, “You don’t know a thing about it, Joe,” jabbing a finger at Joseph. People around them fell silent. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rachel approach, Tara behind her.
“Don’t expect us to hold to an unreasonable contract with a company about to fall apart,” his father said.
“You are speaking out of turn,” Joseph said. “In fact, you’re in no condition to be speaking at all.”
“That’s enough.” Rachel said in a low voice. “I will not have you squabbling like children at my husband’s funeral.”
Dylan’s father looked stunned by the reprimand.
Candee lunged into the group with a loaded plate. “Wait until you taste the crab puffs, Sean.” She thrust the food under his nose. Humbled by Rachel’s sharp words, he took the plate. “Let’s go sit and eat.”
Dylan mouthed thank you to Candee as she led his father away. When he turned back, Rachel was gone and Tara was taking a crab puff from a waiter. “You need to control your father,” Joseph snapped.
“Abbott’s death has been difficult for him,” Dylan said, wanting to ease the moment, but feeling protective of his father.
“That’s no excuse for unprofessional conduct in a room full of my employees. As to the contract, rest assured we’ll be taking another look.”
“Excuse me?” Was that a threat?
He opened his mouth to say more, but Tara said, “She’s right about the crab puffs. Yum. Here.” She thrust one at Joseph and shot Dylan a look. Chill.
He chilled.
Joseph frowned, but her move had flummoxed him and he took the puff and ate it.
“Good, huh?” she said. “Judith made me a plate or I’d have passed out. Go fill one for yourself. You have to be starving. Your nerves must be shot.” She half turned him and he walked toward the dining room, clearly not certain how that had happened.
“Thanks,” Dylan said. “I was about to make it worse.”
“He’s been at the hospital every night late, so he’s edgy.”
“Understandable. Though the man’s edgy period. I’m not sure how he stays upright with the size of the chip on his shoulder.”
“He’s got a home gym. That way he can carry the weight of the world, too.”
He laughed, feeling the old rapport click in. “Good to know.”
“What were they arguing about anyway? What contract?”
“Ryland Engineering makes the drive assembly for the new Wharton batteries.”
“You’re kidding! Our fathers made peace?”
“They were getting there. I wish they’d had more time.”
A silence fell between them as she absorbed his meaning. The feud had troubled them both. For that moment, he and Tara were old friends sharing a sadness that went back years.
Abruptly her eyes widened at something over his shoulder. “Was that your ex-wife who kept your dad from slugging Joseph?”
“Yes. Her name’s Candee.” The topic change startled him.