even who had made each toast.
Kaiden sat at the top table with his and Silver’s families. Julia couldn’t help notice that Ben was the only one who was really talking to Kaiden, apart from his mother and Daisy. It appeared that the rift in the Miller family was real. Jeff looked worn to the bone, although he was doing his best to chat with anyone who warily approached him.
After making sure that her dad wouldn’t miss her, she walked over to where Kaiden was standing with Daisy. He turned as she approached, excused himself from his sister, and came to her side.
“Do you want to go outside? It’s definitely quieter,” Julia asked.
“Sure. Do you want your coat?”
“I think I’ll be fine. It’s still warm out there with the heaters on and the dancing hasn’t started yet.”
She followed him out of the open French doors and down the shallow steps to the large pavilion where the outdoor weddings were held during the spring and summer. There was a DJ setting up his stuff, but apart from that, the space was almost deserted, which suited Julia just fine. If everything went wrong she’d rather not have an audience to her humiliation.
She walked over to the far end of the pavilion, which looked out over the water meadows, and turned to face Kaiden with what she hoped was a welcoming smile.
“So, what do you want to say to me?”
“Don’t rush me.” He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m trying to think of how to ask the questions so you won’t get mad.”
“Knowing you, that’s probably impossible.” Julia smiled. “How about I start with an easy one. What’s going on between you and your family?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” He looked genuinely confused.
“I thought we were supposed to be friends. I thought you might like to talk about it to someone outside the family.”
“It’s . . . complicated.”
Julia simply looked at him until he sighed.
“My dad just got to me and I quit. He thought it over, decided Evan could do a better job than me, and accepted my decision.”
“Your dad has always been difficult, what did he do or say to finally push you over the edge?” Julia wasn’t satisfied.
“He caught me on a bad day.” He grimaced. “Same day I had that fight with you, to be honest.”
“Oh.” It was her turn to wince. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “It was bound to happen at some point. Don’t blame yourself. I don’t regret it, you know? It gives me way more time to sleep in and do my carpentry.”
She didn’t believe that for a second, but she let it go.
“Of course everyone has taken Dad’s side because he’s sick, and apparently I shouldn’t be adding to his stress,” Kaiden said. “I keep telling them that him not arguing with me all the time is way better for his health, but they don’t see it like that.”
“I should imagine they are worried about both of you,” Julia said gently.
“Nah, why would they worry about me?” Kaiden smiled. “The third expendable son? The one whose father was quite happy to let go?”
There was a hint of bitterness in his voice that made her reach out and touch his arm.
“Kaiden . . .”
He shook off her hand. “It’s okay, I’m not going to turn this into a huge pity party. I’m a big boy. I made my choices. What’s up in your world?”
Wanting to give him a moment to regroup, she offered him a cautious smile. The conversation wasn’t going at all as she had hoped. Perhaps she needed to be more assertive and persuade him on her own terms.
“Big changes are afoot,” Julia said.
“Yeah?”
“Blaine and Melanie were fired.”
“Awesome!” He offered her a high five. “You in charge now?”
“Well, I was offered that role, but Mr. Bashear, the B in MZB, asked me if I’d be interested in forming a new team for the company.”
“Doing what exactly?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m going to be actively recruiting clients who want to buy land in more rural areas, and develop it in a sympathetic and environmentally sound manner that takes account of the local community’s needs and wishes.”
“Really?” His smile disappeared and he suddenly looked way too much like his father.
“What’s up?” Julia asked. “I thought you’d approve.”
“That you’re going to be helping your clients screw over ranchers like Mr. Evans?”
“Screw over?” For a second she struggled for words. “Where the hell did that come from?”
He half turned away before swinging around