I said to Erik. “Another job that sounds daunting.”
He nodded. “It is. But the people need me, and I’m going to do everything I can to make life better for them.”
We talked about local politics, the wonderful food in the country, and upcoming social events for a while until the conversation turned to my situation.
“What can we do to help?” Casey asked me.
“I need a good lawyer,” I said quietly. “Like, the very best attorney available. Someone who can help me with the conservatorship.”
“I was thinking about that Madeline woman,” Tyler said. “The one you used when we had that copyright issue.”
“Madeline Aronson.” Casey nodded. “After dinner I’ll get you her number, but don’t call until I’ve had a chance to reach out. She only takes new clients if you come with a referral.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Let me know when you’ve spoken to her and then I’ll call.”
“So, you’re going to try to have the conservatorship removed?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“I’m honestly so overwhelmed I don’t know where to start.”
“You absolutely need someone like Madeline on your side,” Casey said firmly. “I think this is perfect for her. She doesn’t mess around.”
“The only other thing that’s important is getting a refill on my meds. I have about fifteen days’ worth with me, but I don’t want to run out.”
“Just get me a name and dosage and I’ll take care of it,” Erik said, nodding.
“In the meantime, please make yourselves at home,” Casey said. “I’ve got a lot on my plate as we gear up for the holidays, but you can just text me if you need anything. We have staff available to take you into Hiskale if you want to go shopping or sightseeing, and we’ve already had a little snow, so skiing and snowmobiling will be available soon. There’s a heated indoor pool, a gym, and I have a masseuse at my beck and call, so just let me know if you’d like to schedule with him. Unfortunately, I don’t have a studio set up yet, but that’s next on the list.”
“You’re already doing so much for me,” I said, “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“Repayment isn’t necessary,” Casey said. “Like I said earlier, Tyler is family, and now so are you.”
Family.
I hadn’t had a family in a long time. My father had kept me away from my mother’s side of the family after she’d committed suicide, so I’d lost touch with all of them. My father’s parents were dead, and though he had a sister, who also had children, they didn’t speak, and he’d never really told me why.
It was one of many things that had made me recognize my loneliness the last few years, and the thought of having a family again was wonderful. I wasn’t naïve enough to think I’d be accepted into the fold the way Tyler was, but just the fact that they were willing to try was nice. It had been so long since people had been nice to me. Mostly, they tiptoed around me and kissed my father’s ass, but no one ever attempted to talk to or spend time with me. I’d thought I was used to it, but not anymore. Not now that I had Tyler and his group of friends. They were probably curious and a little wary, but they were all willing to give me a chance, and that was all I could ask for.
“Babe, you mind if I meet up with Marcus for a late-night drink?” Tyler was asking when we got back to our room. It was just after ten, and I was about to go into the bathroom to change.
“Not at all. I’m going to check my email and maybe watch a little TV. Casey said they had Netflix and all kinds of pay stations, so I’ll find something to watch.”
“Thanks.” He leaned over to brush his lips over mine. “His schedule’s a little crazy. He just got off at ten but has to be back on duty at eight in the morning, so this is one of the only chances we have to catch up.”
“Go. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll be back by midnight.”
“You don’t have a curfew, Tyler.”
I watched him go with a faint smile, hoping he and Marcus would bury the hatchet once and for all. Family drama was never simple, but hopefully this would at least start them on the path to reconciliation.
As someone who’d been without a family for a long time, I’d do everything I