talk to, we’re all here.”
“I know. Sometimes I don’t want to talk.”
“That’s okay too.”
“But right now…” He stopped for a few seconds, and then went on. “Right now I have something I want to say.”
“Okay. You want me to wake up your dad?”
“No. I want to say it to you.”
I tried not to jerk in my chair from surprise. “Of course. You can tell me anything. I’ll do my best to help.”
“Okay,” he said. More silence.
“Take your time,” I finally said.
“I…”
I nodded, hoping to urge him forward but also give him time and space.
“Sometimes I miss my mom. My real mom.”
Was that all? “Honey, that’s okay. It’s completely normal.”
“I’m scared.”
“Why?”
“Because. I miss her. But it’s getting harder and harder to see her in my mind.”
My heart hurt. We didn’t have any photos of Cheri, the boys’ biological mother. None had been found in her small home. Only a few portraits of the boys at different ages. No close relatives to shed light on her either, which at the time seemed like a godsend. Talon and Jade’s petition for adoption had been simple and quick. But now… Of course the boys missed their mother. It was only natural, and a photo or two would have helped.
“Why don’t you draw a picture of her?”
“I’m no good at drawing.”
I sat silently for a few seconds, hoping some words of wisdom would come to me.
They didn’t.
So I simply sat, my thigh still painful, and watched the tormented little boy who was my nephew.
And I realized how ridiculous I’d been.
I couldn’t have Bryce Simpson. So what? This child had been through more in his ten years on earth than most face in a lifetime.
Time to stop feeling sorry for myself and take action.
Once the boys’ adoption was final and Jade had given birth, I was out of here.
Paris and Le Cordon Bleu.
And for now? I had a prospect.
Dominic James. He wasn’t Bryce, but maybe he could help take my mind off the man I truly wanted until I could leave the ranch.
If not?
Nope. Not going there.
Bryce Simpson was not in control of my thoughts or my libido.
I was.
And I was taking back the reins.
Chapter Seventeen
Bryce
Up at five a.m. to go to a training session I didn’t want. I was still serious about backing off Marj by way of learning about Dominic James, but I wanted to take a look around the trainers’ office to see if I could find the small card I’d inadvertently dropped there.
No luck. It was gone. Perhaps it had never been there. Or perhaps the janitorial staff had thrown it out when they cleaned.
Or perhaps someone had picked it up and cracked the code.
My father’s code.
Maybe it was just a simple code to amuse his son. It was hardly difficult to break.
Maybe it was more.
I tried not to think about it during the half hour that Dominic kicked my ass. So far I wasn’t feeling it, but I’d be sore as hell tomorrow.
Great. My first day as the CFO of the Steel Corporation.
When I returned, my mom was in the kitchen with Henry. He smiled when he saw me and then continued to shovel scrambled eggs into his mouth. Adorable.
I had to be more of a father to this little boy. More importantly, though, I had to make sure he stayed safe. I’d been thinking about how to broach the subject of an extended vacation for my mom and Henry again.
She had a sister, Victoria Walker, who had moved to Florida with her husband, Chase. Their son, Luke, had been among my father’s victims.
Florida would be good for Mom and Henry. As much as I’d miss both of them, I truly needed them out of harm’s way. It was the only way I could function.
“So…” I began.
“What?” my mother asked.
“I know you didn’t like my vacation idea, but what about you and Henry going to Florida to stay with Aunt Vicky and Uncle Chase for a few weeks? The sunshine and warmth will be good for you both.”
“We’ve been through this, Bryce.”
“I’m going to be so busy with this new position on the ranch.”
“Which is why you need me here. You won’t eat a decent meal if I don’t fix it for you.”
“I’ve lived on my own before, Mom.” I wasn’t much of a cook, but I managed.
“But—”
“No buts. You need to get away. Florida will be perfect. In fact, if you don’t want to take Henry, I’ll hire—”
“Stop right there. You’re not leaving that baby with anyone other than me.”
“I’m