in this business.”
Wes didn’t remind him that this opportunity hadn’t simply come around. He’d worked for it. He’d done everything they’d asked of him; he’d labored and practiced and trained. He had become one of the best. He’d earned this opportunity, and now he might not be able to take it.
“Think about it for a few days.” Craig walked to a stack of boxes nearby. “I’ll give you until Wednesday to make a final decision.”
Temptation started to rival his sense of duty, but Wes tamped it down. If he took off, he would only be confirming what everyone else thought—that he couldn’t live up to responsibilities. “You can give me all the time in the world, but that won’t change what’s happening with my sister.” He couldn’t cause Jane more stress by taking off.
“It’s one day, Harding,” Craig grumbled. “I’ll even pay your airfare. Find a friend to cover for you for one day.”
“I’ll let you know if anyone comes to mind.” So far, he had no ideas. He refused to put all the work at the ranch on Louise when she was already managing the kitchen. But there was no use in standing here arguing for another hour. He’d leave Craig a message later.
“Since you’re here, I could use some help loading up the trailer.” Without waiting for an answer, Craig handed him a box.
“I really should get back.” The rest of the group would arrive in less than two hours, and he and Thea hadn’t gone over his schedule changes yet…
“This’ll only take an hour,” his boss insisted.
Sure, he’d heard that before.
Chapter Six
That was the best consequence ever!” Ryan leapt out of the canoe and dragged it up on the sandy shoreline before reaching his hand out to help Thea. “Need a hand, my lady?”
Thea laughed. “Such a charmer.” She let him help her climb out of the canoe. “And, yes, that was a pretty fun consequence.” When she told Ryan he would have to row her across the entire lake and back, he couldn’t wait, so they’d come down to the beach right after breakfast.
Liv was still laying out in her bathing suit on a lounge chair nearby. She had her phone in front of her face, but at least she was in the great outdoors, so that was something.
“I wish Wes could’ve gone with us.” Ryan dragged the canoe all the way up onto the beach.
Ah, yes. The infamous Wes. That man was all her son had talked about during their little “consequence” excursion across the lake. Ryan had told her all about how Wes had taught him tricks for rowing. He’d also gone over how Wes showed him to pull the boat onto the beach when he was done with it.
According to her son, Wes was pretty much the coolest person he’d ever met. The one problem with that was the man didn’t seem to keep his word. It hadn’t taken her more than twenty minutes to get ready and show up for breakfast, but according to Louise, Wes had to run out “real quick” for some work thing. That had been over two hours ago, and now the rest of the group would arrive in a half hour.
No matter. Thea let it slide off her shoulders. She didn’t need Wes’s help. She was more than capable of handling the details for the retreat by herself. After all, she handled everything else by herself. This would be no problem. In fact, it might be easier for her if the man decided to make himself scarce. Especially after the scene she’d made earlier. No wonder Wes had run out. He probably was afraid she’d blubber all over him again.
“Well, I’m glad we had some mother-son time.” She draped an arm over her son’s shoulders and squeezed him into a hug. “I’m happy that I get to spend these ten days with my two favorite kids.” She chose her next words carefully. “Just remember, honey…we’re here to be together as a family and to hang out with our new friends. Wes is really busy, and he likely won’t be around a whole lot.” Between the man’s social life and whatever work commitments had pulled him away today, she wouldn’t hold any expectations.
“But he promised to take me fishing at his secret spot,” her son reminded her for the tenth time. “He said I’ll catch a fish there for sure. He’s never been skunked.”
Annoyance flared again. Why did Wes strike her as someone who only said things he