earned the money. I followed you because that’s what you do for people who matter. You take care of them. You don’t earn an income caring for family.”
“Everyone who went on tour with me earned a salary. Yours is just bigger than you expected.”
He did have a point. Of sorts. Anyone else would have earned a salary for what I did. Maybe not quite as much as what he gave me. But they would have been paid.
“Collin…” I looked to Lucas for help, but he appeared lost in the intricate art of arranging salt and pepper shakers. “You made your way off of your grit and talent. It’s time for me to do that, too.”
“I didn’t do it without your help, and you shouldn’t do it without mine.”
The statement touched me, but I couldn’t let him see he’d made a point or else he’d moved in for the kill while I was vulnerable. “I’ve considered donating the money to charity, if you don’t mind.”
Collin sat back in the booth with a sigh. “You’ll never be able to open a business if you don’t have capital. Besides, you need to eat. To buy yourself a new pair of boots. You stood up for me all those years, let me return the favor.”
“Maybe I can use some of the money on the renovations?” I hated how uncertain I sounded as much as I hated living off my brother’s success.
“Look, Joe. The money is yours. Do whatever the fuck you want with it. But I’d be happiest if you used it to set yourself up.” He wrapped an arm around a giggling Harlow and pulled her close.
“You two are something, else,” she said as she nuzzled into his side.
Collin pressed a kiss into her hair. “I don’t know why I’m surprised when he’s this stubborn.”
I gave them my most winning smile. “You know you’d be disappointed in me if I gave in without a fight.”
Collin rolled his eyes, but didn’t take the bait and conversation moved on.
The night finished with me in a much better mood than it began, as tended to happen when spending time with my brother and his new family. I drove home, mulling over what to do about the money. I still wasn’t convinced I should spend it on myself, but using some to surprise Maxine had a certain allure. Her study had two beautiful bump-out windows with a wall begging for bookshelves between them. The idea had fascinated her when I brought it up, but she shut the project down because she’d rather spend money on structural upgrades than cosmetic ones.
But…
…I could install them as a gift.
As I drove, my imagination went to work designing the shelves, evaluating wood grain, structure, and stain colors until I knew exactly how they should look. My mind cheered at the idea of adding a reading nook to one of the windows, then suggested I put some of her husband’s pictures in a place of honor…
I pulled to a stop in front of the house and my good mood clutched its heart, sputtered at the sky, and died on the spot. A certain Honda lurked in the driveway, the trunk open as Kennedy Reagan Monroe yanked not one, but two suitcases out of the back. The slam of my truck door caught her attention and she whirled, then went immediately back to her task when her gaze landed on mine.
I stopped out of range of her right hook. “You weren’t content with ruining my life every other day? Needed to find a way to injure me on a more consistent basis?” A smile stretched my face, but when she met my eyes it fell to the ground beside my good mood. I couldn’t take joy in jabbing at someone who looked so sad.
Even if that someone was Penny Dreadful.
“How cute that you think this is about you.” Fatigue hunched her back and her words lacked the fire I’d come to anticipate.
“I just know someone who hates this house so much wouldn’t deign to move in.” Putting a hand to my heart, I gasped with as much drama as I could muster, but even then she didn’t take the bait.
Interesting.
And…concerning, too.
Without another word, she trundled up the walk. I reached for one of her bags, but she yanked it away. “Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
“That doesn’t mean you should turn down help when it’s offered.”
“It does when it’s from you.” She yanked the suitcase out of my hands again and strode away, pausing