fire, even though it wasn’t needed. The urge to keep busy made it hard to sit still.
“We were thinking of coming back when the baby’s born. Not right away, but maybe around Christmas.”
“Really?” I flashed my gaze from JR to Paige.
She smiled and nodded, but there were tired bags under her eyes. “Austin and Elaina made us promise we’d come back,” she said.
“That’s great news. Can’t wait to meet the little gaffer. I get favorite uncle status. Austin ain’t takin’ that from me. He can have his own damn kids.”
JR chuckled. “He said he was taking the title and too f-in’ bad for you.”
“Screw him. He don’t get to marry into the family and claim uncle rights.”
Paige laughed and eyed her husband. “You said they’d fight over it.”
“Told you. And I bet they’ll still be fighting when the kid’s ten years old.”
We chatted for another half an hour about the baby and their plans to come back at Christmas.
JR checked the time and nodded at Paige. “We should hit the road. It’s getting late, and it’s a long drive to Edmonton.”
Paige tried to pull herself to stand but struggled, so I hopped up and helped her. “Easy does it, missy. You take care of my little niece or nephew.”
“I will.”
I kissed her cheek and gave her a sideways hug since her belly stuck out too far for a front one. After I helped her with her jacket, I shook JR’s hand, which ended in a back-slapping hug.
“Do not hesitate to call me if you need an ear or wanna bounce ideas around. I may be far away, but I’m still family. I still care.”
“Thanks.”
Dad got in on some hugging and goodbye action. JR grabbed their packed bags, and the couple headed out to their rental, waving and shouting goodbyes.
Once they took off down the long driveway, I whistled for Logan. He came at a gallop out of the dark.
“You better not head back into that office. I catch you in there again tonight, I’ll cuff your ears like I did when you were ten. Don’t think you’re too old for that, kiddo.”
“I’m gonna head upstairs and shower. Don’t worry.”
Logan blew past us both and clamored up the stairs, knowing it was almost bedtime. At the top landing, he barked, announcing he beat me.
“I’m comin’,” I shouted back. “Do not get on that bed before me, you beast.”
Before I could walk away, Dad’s words halted me. “How much?”
I glanced from Dad’s inquisitive stare to the front door. “Goddammit, JR. Can’t keep his blasted mouth shut.”
“How much?” Dad asked again, firmer that time.
“Don’t matter.”
“I asked you a question.”
Logan barked again. In a second, he’d fly back down the stairs, wondering why I hadn’t followed.
“I’m sorry, Dad. You signed the papers. You wanted it to be in my control. Now, you best let me handle it. The offer’s garbage. I told that Edmonton prick no. I told him to leave. If it comes down to sellin’ in the future, it will never be to that asshole and his company.”
My nerves twitched as I held my dad’s intense gaze. If he pushed, I’d cave and tell him. I didn’t want to, and he knew it. He’d given me the control, and I knew deep down, he trusted me to make the right decisions.
“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Easton. I admire you. I couldn’t have asked for a better son to take over this land. I know you’ll do the right thing. G’night.”
“G’night, Dad.”
I stood for a long time in the front hallway. It wasn’t until my silent beast snuck into the room and nudged my leg that I broke free from my thoughts. I scratched Logan behind the ear as his heavy tail thumped on the floor. He woofed, a quiet, questioning sound.
“I know. I’m comin’. Shower and bed. Let’s go, buddy. Tomorrow’s another day.”
“I’ll kill him.” I slapped the newspaper on the table so hard the dishes rattled, and Dad scowled. Coffee slopped over the top of his mug and splashed across the table.
Logan whined and inched his way out of the room.
Knox shook his head as he shoved another piece of toast in his face. “I thought you’d wanna see that. Not gonna lie, pissed me right off when I saw it. Was gettin’ my morning coffee at the shop and old Bert Laudry was reading it out loud to anyone who’d listen.”
“So the whole goddamn town knows my business now? Perfect.”