she’s going to change the locks.”
Sherman chuckled as Joseph’s brow went down and his lips pursed.
“No one doubts your love for your wife, Joseph. Everyone who loves you knows you might also be a little overwhelming at times. I’m sure she simply needs a few minutes to herself.”
“I just hate to be away from her,” Joseph said. “I want to rush back home. What if something happens?”
“She’s strong, Joseph. And needing a little time to process all she’s been through isn’t a reflection of how she feels, but a testament to who she is. She will lean on you, but she also needs to stand on her own two feet. We want to smother the people we love, but sometimes we do it to the point they can’t breathe. You’re a great man, and you’ll go through this journey together.”
“She’s insisting I keep working on the veterans center and making me promise her we’ll still live our lives normally while she goes through these treatments,” Joseph said.
“How long will it take?” Sherman asked.
Joseph sighed, sipping on his drink again. “I don’t know. But no matter how long it takes, we’ll push through it. Katherine says if we lie down in defeat, or pause our lives, we’ll regret it. She’s making me promise we’ll live each day as if there is no cancer, as if we’re still in our twenties, thinking we’re immortal. I’m not sure I can do that, but I can’t refuse her anything, so I’ll put a smile on my face, and I’ll give it my best effort. There’s nothing I won’t give my wife, nothing I won’t do for her.”
“We all know that,” Sherman said. “We’ve had many years together. I know our bodies are a bit older, and we might move slightly slower, but our minds are sharp, and we’ve got a lot of years to go.”
“Yes we do, my friend,” Joseph agreed.
“And it does feel pretty good to meddle again,” Sherman reminded him.
Those words made Joseph smile. “Yes, getting that job for Avery was quite fun. I guess it does help to do some things that have nothing to do with sickness and grief,” Joseph admitted.
“As soon as Chad told us what was happening with Carl, I was rubbing my hands together. I love life, but sometimes I get a little bored. My nephews are so happy, which is wonderful, but I have to admit I like playing cupid.”
“I’m glad I was able to bring you into this project. It’s coming along very nicely. I appreciate you donating to the cause,” Joseph told him.
“I would’ve been offended if you hadn’t talked to me about it. You know how much I respect the military and the resources out there that keep us safe. But I’m also very aware that if we sit back and watch as injustices happen in this world, we have to be willing to accept the consequences that occur because we did nothing. I have too many loved ones to watch this country fall into chaos. I have high hopes for this team,” Sherman said.
“Me too,” Joseph said. “Some fine men have stepped up to the plate. And it’s only going to grow. Chad has some exceptional women he’s secretly vetting, as well. I think the sky truly is the limit.”
“What comes next?” Sherman asked. He sat up and looked at Joseph, his eyes bright, a youthful glow in his cheeks.
This time when Joseph smiled, it was genuine. There was a little bit of his natural sparkle lighting his eyes. He looked around, even though he already knew nobody was near. Then he leaned forward.
“Let me tell you all about it . . .
Note From Author Including Anderson World Read Order
If you enjoyed this new spin-off from Melody Anne’s first series, The Billionaire Bachelors, then you can catch up on all of these characters you’re going to see in and out of the series in the books listed below. Any of these series can be read alone, but it’s also a lot of fun to read them in somewhat of an order. Each family has their own unique dynamic, and Joseph is the key character who pulls them all together. His meddling knows no bounds.
Also a side note from me . . . The Andersons originally began as a three book series when I started my writing career. I fell in love with Joseph and the Anderson dynamic. I went on to write other series, but I kept bringing Joseph along, wanting to