Chapter Fifteen
“Eat.” His dad gestured toward the tray of Sara’s lasagna on the island. A gray velour robe hung over his slackened shoulders. The exhausted grooves on his face aged him considerably.
Hunter forced an assured grin. “I’ll eat with Sara when I go home.”
“It’s good.” His dad took another bite, then glanced around surreptitiously. “Don’t tell Jenna, but I’m a little jealous that your wife cooks.”
“Mum’s the word.” Until this year, he would have said Sara’s cooking was the least of the reasons his dad should be jealous. She’d been a perfect wife; they’d enjoyed a carefree relationship. Lately, he couldn’t make that claim. No matter what he thought to do about it, he either thought wrong or eroded any progress with his next misstep. “I’m glad she’s feeding you well. You need your strength for our annual trip to Jackson Hole in January.”
His father’s weak smile indicated that their father-son sojourn looked doubtful. As the seconds passed in silence, Hunter thought about his earlier argument with Sara. About how easily he, and most people, took the future for granted. What if last year turned out to be the last father-son trip they’d ever take? The look in his dad’s eyes suggested he’d just had the same thought.
A damn awful thought that he didn’t want to dwell on.
“In the meantime, I brought you this.” Hunter slid a Snickers bar across the table. His dad slipped it into his robe pocket with a sneaky smile, but then he winced.
“How’s the headache?” Hunter asked.
“Relentless. My left arm tingles. I lose words. My short-term memory is shit.” He shook his head. “Today’s better than yesterday, but who knows about tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. It’s only been a week, and they warned it would get worse before it improved. I guess that’s cold comfort, but don’t lose faith.” He almost laughed at himself. Faith. He’d never put much stock in that, preferring to take matters into his own hands. “I wish I could do more to help.”
“Me too,” his dad said. “It’s my fight, though. I’ll beat it.”
“You will.” Hunter leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees to help steady himself against rising apprehension. “We need you too much for you to stay this sick.”
“The only good thing about this is that it’s made your sister less rebellious. Jenna’s happy to have her back under our roof. I’m sure you aren’t sorry for your privacy, either.”
Hunter didn’t exactly miss Gentry’s messes, but her absence had Sara even more on edge. He, too, had become uneasy about what Gentry was thinking these days. “Sara enjoyed her company. Did Gentry show you the outline I’d given her to help her draft a business plan? I think if she took a few more classes and finished college, she might be able to do something with this PR interest.”
“Maybe I ought to send her back to live with you and Sara for a while longer. Your work ethic might be the influence she needs.” His dad wiped his mouth and then set the napkin down. “Speaking of work, update me. Have you heard from Pure this week? Jenna’s been tight-lipped.”
Hunter paused because he’d updated his father just last night on the phone. The doctors wouldn’t make any promises about when, or if, his dad’s memory would improve, but he couldn’t come back as CEO until it did.
Hunter wanted that job, but not this way. And he’d always assumed his father would still maintain an emeritus role for another decade or more. Their shared passion for the company had always been their biggest connection. Without it, Hunter had a hard time envisioning their future relationship.
“Pure has everything it requested. I expect we’ll hear back from them in another couple of weeks.” Hunter could only hope King Cola expressed interest in his proposition before Pure made a firm offer. Contrary to Sara’s beliefs, Hunter knew he was doing the right thing by everyone, including his dad, in trying to save CTC. They’d all thank him one day when the company’s value doubled and provided careers for the next generation of Cabots. “Dad, can I ask something without upsetting you or arguing?”
“I don’t know. Can you?” He grinned, then winced and rubbed his forehead.
The timing wasn’t ideal, but Hunter couldn’t stop himself. The question had been nagging him for weeks. “Why don’t you trust me to take CTC into the future?”
“It’s not about trust, son. I know you can run it, probably in your sleep. Right now it’s about an opportunity to get a more than fair price for the business.”
Hunter didn’t believe that for a second. Neither his mother nor father had ever been particularly materialistic. In their different ways, they’d taught Colby and him to prize contribution, to explore the depths of one’s talents and passions, and to leave a mark on the world. None of those values could be bought.
“But we had plans, you and me. Plans to build CTC into an international powerhouse. I’d always assumed it’d be you, me, and my own son or daughter one day up on the third floor. A dynasty. How can you throw that all away for money?”
His dad stared at the empty plate for a few seconds. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes held a note of sad resignation. “I’m older. And tired. And to top it off, now I’m sick. That’s all given me a different . . . view . . . on how I want to spend whatever time I’ve got left. Fretting over trade laws, taxes, climate change, minimum wage—not that interested anymore. I spent so much time building that company I missed out on some other things in life, like travel. I want to do some of that before it’s too late. Maybe you should think about that for yourself, too. But, also, if you’re committed to building a legacy, you’re talented enough to do it from scratch.”
“I don’t want a new legacy. I’ve poured everything into ours. So step down, travel with Jenna, find a new hobby, but give me the chance to prove myself.” Sensing he might be making headway, he added, “We can set some targets, and if I don’t meet them in two or three years, then we can talk about selling.”
“But if you don’t meet them, or if the market declines, the sales price will reflect whatever problems have cropped up, which means we’ll lose money.” His head tipped to one side, and Hunter saw some regret reflected in his expression. “I didn’t go looking for this, but you know what they say about striking while the iron’s hot.”
His father’s answer proved, despite his words, he lacked confidence in Hunter’s leadership. Worse, that his father wouldn’t miss the day-to-day relationship and camaraderie they’d developed over the years. He’d walk away from it and Hunter as easily as he’d walked away from his first wife.
Hunter’s voice roughened slightly from having to overcome the lump in his throat. “If you step down and let me run things, let me put in place some of my ideas—”
“Hunter!” Jenna said from the kitchen door before she rushed over and set her hand on her husband’s shoulder.
His dad patted it. “Jenna, we’re not arguing. Just discussing options.”
She stared at her husband. “I’m sick of his guilt trips. You started the company, not him. The biggest mistake you made was listening to that tax adviser and giving away most of the stock years ago. Now you can’t control its future.”
Hunter snorted. “How shocking that you don’t understand money and value. Naturally, you wanted him to ignore that advice so you would end up with everything, or we would’ve had to sell the company to pay inheritance taxes on the stock bequest.” God, he despised her. Truth be told, maybe he’d even started to lose some respect for his dad for being so devoted to a woman with so few redeeming qualities. The only thing Hunter had ever admired about Jenna was her work ethic. Now even she was ready to ditch that for a fat paycheck. “You’ve never respected money, as proven by the way you spend it on things you don’t even know how to use, like these high-end appliances.”
“Enough.” His dad coughed, as if the energy to shut down the argument had totally drained him.
“Honey, drink some water.” Jenna handed his dad a glass before glowering at Hunter.
Hunter shut up. He didn’t come here to upset his father or argue with Jenna. He’d come hoping for things he didn’t get—good news about his dad’s recovery, assurance of his father’s faith in him.
“Sorry. I didn’t come here to fight. I’ll go.” He stood, then belatedly thought of checking in on Gentry. “Is Gentry around?”
“Now that she’s giving you her child, you suddenly care.” Jenna pressed her hand to her chest and mocked him. “How touching.”
He knew he hadn’t been the best brother to Gentry. She’d been hard to know, being almost nine years younger than he was and growing up across town with a mom who didn’t exactly try to knit together the blended family.
“I’ll take that as a no.” Ignoring her bait would irk Jenna more than anything else, and despite his guilty conscience regarding Gentry, he had no love lost for his stepmom. He smiled at his dad. “I’ll stop in tomorrow.”
“Gee, can’t wait!” Jenna quipped.
“Jenna, for chrissakes! Stop it.” His dad shook his head. “If we sell, I sure won’t miss you two going at it every single day.”
Hunter hadn’t been particularly sensitive to putting his dad in the middle throughout the years. Then again, neither had Jenna—not that he liked the idea that he wasn’t any better than she was. “I’ll see myself out.”
The five-minute drive home passed in a blur: he’d been so consumed by his thoughts. He didn’t even look forward to seeing Sara because he couldn’t really talk to her about all these feelings. She was basically on their side when it came to CTC, and now worried that his personal goals would affect the adoption.
He should call Colby. She’d understand without judging him. She’d been there all along, watching him connect with his dad through work. Knowing what that bond had meant to him, and how seeing his dad toss it away like it never mattered was a kick in the balls.
Hunter entered the mudroom, surprised to find a dark, quiet house. He switched on the kitchen light and, in the shadows of the family room, saw Sara sitting on the couch, knees curled up to her chin.
Not a good sign.
“Hey, babe. Whatcha doing in the dark?” He approached her with some caution and sat beside her. What had he done now? As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he noticed her puffy face. Just like that, his heart squeezed. “What happened?”
She shook her head and rested her forehead on her knees. “Nothing.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her head. “It’s not nothing. You’re crying in the dark by yourself. Did you have a fight with Mimi?”
“No.” She raised her head. “I’d tell you, but I don’t want to fight.”
“I promise I won’t argue.”
“You’ll be furious.”
Well, shit. Now what could he say? “Now you have to tell me. I swear I won’t be furious.”
She peered at him like a child terrified of being punished. “It’s Ty.”
“Ty?” He searched his memory.
Her expression proved he’d hurt her feelings somehow. “The little boy at the Angel House that I’ve talked about for weeks.”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. I blanked on his name.” He grimaced. “A lot is happening these days.”
“Yes, I know.”
When she said nothing more, he asked, “What happened to Ty?”
She eyed him as if judging whether or not it’d be worth telling him the story. “Their time at the house expired, so Gloria helped his mom find ‘affordable’ housing in Lents near that Eastport Plaza. Pam got a waitressing job, but makes nothing. I went by today to bring some books and toys to Ty. They’re in this tiny section-eight place. It smells, and you know that neighborhood is a higher-crime area than most.” Her face crumpled again.
His first thought was to jump up and yell about her going alone to that neighborhood, but, with effort, he remained seated and calm. “If the whole point of the Angel House is to help these women get their own places and jobs, isn’t this a good thing, even if the housing isn’t the best? It’s a solid first step.”
“At the shelter, Pam had help. Ty had healthy meals. They had a clean, safe place to sleep. Now they’re out there in a crime-riddled area, and everything’s all on her shoulders. I’m not sure she’s ready. Who will watch Ty? What if she turns back to drugs to cope?”
“You’re projecting a worst-case scenario. Surely Pam is in better shape now than months ago when she first arrived. She must have friends or family to help her.”
“If she had friends or family, she wouldn’t have ended up at the Angel House.” Sara’s voice sharpened. He needed to tiptoe through the minefield of her emotions, or he risked making everything worse.
“She has a job and a roof over her head, which is more than she had before.” He reached for her hand. “Try not to worry about things you can’t control. You did what you could.”
“I would’ve offered for them to stay here for a while so she could save some money, and I could watch Ty, but I knew you’d object.” She peered up at him with guarded hope in her eyes.
He reeled back a bit, unprepared for that kind of request. “You’d invite a drug addict to live in our home?”
He stopped short of pointing out the faded yellow bruise on her cheek.
“A recovering addict. Pam isn’t friendly, but she isn’t threatening. I’d risk it for Ty. That sweet baby is so vulnerable.”
“Babe.” He hugged her hard. His heart felt like it was wedged beneath someone’s boot. “This is exactly what I’ve been worried about. You’re putting yourself out there this way and taking on all their responsibilities. It’s not rational.”
“You think I’m stupid for getting attached.” She tried to pull away, but he held her tight.
“I never think you’re stupid. Just tenderhearted.” He stroked her hair. “I’m sorry you’re worried.”
Those brilliant blue eyes dimmed. “I know you’re right. But he’s so . . . special. I think I could’ve really helped him if I’d have had longer. He’d finally started talking to me, and I know he likes when I read to him. His mother never reads to him. She hardly talks to him. How can a kid like that have a chance in this world?” New tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
He didn’t have an answer to her question, so he pulled her onto his lap and rocked her, murmuring endearments and wondering what it must be like to have her heart. One that opened up to everyone so easily. One that gave everything without asking for much in return. One so easily broken.
He’d never been that way. Most days it felt like a blessing, but recently a little part of him worried that maybe he was missing out on something.
“Sara, I can’t welcome a strange woman into our house, but if I rent them a safer place for a short time, will that make you feel better?”
He heard her breath catch. She looked up and cupped his face in her hands. “You’d do that?”
“I’d do anything to see you smile again.” He kissed her, and for a little while, some of their troubles vanished.
When Gloria learned about Hunter’s offer, her eyes had gone round as buttons before she’d clucked a warning about setting precedents and getting too personally involved. Sara ended that lecture by saying she’d be spending less time with the residents and more time working directly for the foundation.
After Hunter’s magnanimous gesture, she’d thought it only fair to make a compromise for him. She could do plenty of good in the community with Colby, and she really ought to be getting ready for the baby, too.
The real disappointment had been Pam, who’d initially acted as if the offer had insulted her, although ultimately, she accepted the help. Now Sara and Hunter were on their way to pick up Pam and Ty and take them to their new temporary apartment. Hunter had rented a two-bedroom unit for three months in a safer neighborhood with an easy commute to her new job by bus.
“Thank you, again.” She leaned across the console to kiss Hunter’s cheek, feeling indebted even though she’d given something up, too. This was helping Ty, so it was worth it. “I’m so touched that you did this for them, and me.”
He glanced at her. “What’s mine is yours. If this is what you want, then it’s done.”
“You really don’t understand how much this means to me, Hunter.” Mostly because it proved that the man she’d loved was still in there, even if he was harder to reach these days. And although this was yet another grand gesture, she couldn’t deny that, in a crunch, being able to count on him this way meant a lot. “When you meet Ty, you’ll understand why I want him to have a fighting chance at a good life.”
Like most neighborhoods in the Greater Portland area, even this more impoverished one had lush old-growth trees and relatively clean streets. Upon closer inspection, the rusted cars, barred windows, and graffiti hinted at its seedier side.
Hunter pulled up to the curb of the three-story, gray, cement-block building where Pam and Ty currently lived. A gang of teenage boys stood huddled on the nearby corner, eyeing his high-tech car with interest.
Hunter looked around and shook his head. “I hate that you came to this neighborhood by yourself.”
“Think of all the women and children who live here and walk around, defenseless, all the time. Even those boys . . . what chance do they have when the schools aren’t good and they’ve got no hope?”
“I don’t disagree, but there are safer ways to make a difference.”
“I have mace in my purse, and it’s not particularly dangerous here in the daytime.”
He tipped his head. “I thought we agreed you’d be more cautious.”
“I know.”
“Good.” He squeezed her thigh. “Now let’s get Pam and go.”
She gripped his hand. “Thank you. A million times, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Let’s just hope this woman doesn’t cause any trouble, since it’s my name on the lease.”
“She’s not a troublemaker.”
He cocked a brow. “She’s an addict, Sara.”
“A recovering addict with a job. Hopefully, she’ll use this chance you’re giving her to save a little extra. If so, maybe she’ll be able to afford to stay in the new place on her own.” Gratitude prompted another smile.
He tapped her nose. “I hope knowing Ty is safe will make it a little easier to let go of seeing him again.”
Nothing would make that easier. She’d purposely avoided thinking about it because it made her heart sore. “Actually, I thought maybe I could babysit during some of Pam’s shifts. You can’t complain, because they’ll be in a safer neighborhood.”
His eyes widened. “Is it wise to get more invested?”
No one else thought so, but she couldn’t change her heart any more than she could change her height. “It can’t hurt to offer, maybe just for a couple of months. If I help with childcare, those savings can go toward food and rent down the road.”
“I thought the foundation was setting up childcare subsidies? Besides, you know you can’t get this involved with every case.” He squeezed her hand.
“I know.”
He sighed in resignation, his eyes darting back to the gang of boys, who hadn’t moved. “Let’s talk about this later. Right now I just want to get this done and then visit my dad.”
Jed’s recovery hadn’t progressed much, which increased her husband’s stress levels. “Yesterday I took him soup, but he didn’t even get out of bed.”
“I don’t think the antibiotics are helping.” His brows pinched together.
She stroked his forearm. “Jenna was planning to speak with the doctor. Maybe they’ll have answers today.”
“Let’s hope.”
When they exited the car, Sara noticed Hunter don a tough, confident expression before giving the gang of boys a pointed look. He then put his arm around her shoulders and escorted her up the front steps.
Fall breezes whipped dead leaves along the sidewalk. Each week that passed brought her closer to Gentry’s due date, and closer to being a mom. That cheerful thought temporarily distracted her from the troubles of the people living in this neighborhood.
They stepped past some trash left in the hallway and knocked on Pam’s door. She answered without much of a smile. Beside her sat one standard-size suitcase. Sara couldn’t imagine having so little, or lacking the education and wherewithal to land a decent job with benefits. The world must feel frightening and cold to those in Pam’s shoes. No wonder the woman kept her defenses on high alert.
Sara crouched to Ty’s height. “Ty, this is my husband, Hunter. Isn’t he tall?”
Ty ducked behind Pam’s leg while peering up at her imposing husband.
Hunter waved at him, grinning, and then looked at Pam. “May I carry your bag?”
“I got it.” She cracked her gum, chin raised.
He slid Sara an inscrutable look. “Okay, then we might as well leave.”
Once they were loaded in, Pam buckled Ty into the toddler seat Sara had borrowed from the Angel House. Ty strained to see the gigantic computerized monitor on the dash, while Pam’s hands brushed the supple leather seats. Hunter’s car cost as much as some small condos. That realization—or rather her concerns about Pam’s judgment of them—made her uneasy.
An awkward silence descended as Hunter pulled from the curb. Fortunately, they had to go only a few miles to arrive at the two-story apartment complex Hunter had found. The shingled building, in a graffiti-free neighborhood, was painted in shades of light and dark gray. Dormant flower beds that would probably look quite pretty in the spring surrounded the parking lot. In the common area on the left, there was a small playground.
Sara waited for Ty’s reaction.
“Swing!” he said, pointing at the swing set and slide. The fact that he spoke made Sara want to lift him into a hug. Her smile nearly split her cheeks.
“Won’t that be fun?” Sara wanted to lift Ty onto her hip and play with him, but Pam’s hand was on his shoulder.
Hunter removed the suitcase from the trunk, and then they followed him to unit 117. After he unlocked the door, he handed Pam the key without crossing the threshold. “It’s furnished, and I’m told this is a safe neighborhood.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder. “There’s a bus stop one block east of here, so commuting should be pretty easy.”
“Thanks.” Pam, who’d never been effusive, stared at them, appearing impatient for them to leave.
“You’re welcome.” He handed her his business card. “Keep this handy. If you have any trouble, you can call my private line at work.”
Pam flicked the card with her finger, then tucked it in her jeans.
“If you ever need help with Ty, please let us know,” Sara added, sensing their imminent farewells. Her stomach tightened into a hard pebble as she prepared to say goodbye to Ty. “I’m happy to watch him a few days a week if it will help you get on your feet.”
Pam’s eyes narrowed. “We’re good.”
“It’s no problem,” Sara began, but Hunter squeezed her waist to signal her to stop. A lump formed in her throat as she stared at Ty, desperate to memorize the curve of his cheek, the color of his eyes, the shape of his tiny ears. She wanted to hear his voice one last time, too, but that was a long shot. She bent over and poked him in his belly, holding back tears. “You be good, Ty. Keep reading.”
Her eyes stung, but she made a mental note to drop off a box of books and toys on this doorstep in a couple of weeks as a surprise. Right now she’d give anything for two minutes alone with Ty, just to ruffle his hair and give him a hug. To tell him that he was the most special little boy.
“Good luck.” Hunter nodded at Pam and then tugged Sara away.
They walked to the car in silence. She dabbed at a tear once she was seated in the passenger seat.
“Babe?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I hope it works out for them.”
“We’ve done everything we can—now it’s up to Pam. You can’t live other people’s lives for them.”
“I know.” She inhaled deeply and tried to quiet her thoughts. “Let’s go see your dad. I want to hear about Gentry’s appointment this week. She didn’t invite me to go with her.”
Hunter’s gaze remained on the road, but tension flowed off him in waves. Had something happened that she didn’t know about? Had his ongoing battle with Jenna angered Gentry?
“Has she said anything to you?” Sara asked.
He shook his head.
“Do you know why she blew me off? I’ve been so grateful. I couldn’t have offended her, could I?”
“When have I ever understood what motivates Gentry to do anything? Like I’ve said, you can’t control what people will do. Gentry is more unpredictable than most, Sara. You know that.”
His tone sounded like a warning, which did nothing to ease the knot that leaving Ty behind had tightened in her chest. To make matters worse, Sara saw Bethany’s name pop up on the monitor when the phone rang. On a Saturday.
“Hey, Bethany. I’m in the car with Sara.” Hunter drove on, eyes fixed on the road.
Was that a warning, too? What didn’t he want Bethany saying in front of her?
“Hi, Sara” came Bethany’s smooth reply, although Sara would bet the woman was disappointed by her presence.
“Hello.” She wanted to make a smart-aleck crack about working overtime but kept quiet. If she became a shrew, it would only make it easier for Bethany to lure Hunter away.
“What’s up?” Hunter asked.
“I finished revising those projections for Ki—er, that you wanted. They should be well received.”
Hunter brightened, his spine straightening a bit in his seat. “Great. Go ahead and send them along. Hopefully, it’ll open a door.”
“Okay. Anything else?”
“No. That’s it. Thanks. Bye.” Hunter punched off the phone.
“What projections?” She stared at him, trying to decipher the truth.
He had that killer look in his eyes she’d seen whenever he felt confident. “Let’s just say I’m not dead in the water yet. My Hail Mary may succeed.”
She knew she should be happier for him, but success meant he’d be working more often, not less. “What’s the plan?”
He didn’t look at her. “I’d rather not jinx it.”
She pressed her lips together. “But Bethany knows.”
“I work with her. I share work-related things with her, period.” More quietly, he added, “Besides, I know you’re hoping I fail.”
It sounded awful when he put it that way.
“Hunter, trying to get you to see how the sale could be a win for everyone and prevent a family rift is not the same thing as wanting to see you fail.” She laid her head back against the seat. “I really wish you understood.”
“You want me to roll over and make it easy.” He glanced at her. “A sale isn’t a win for everyone, because I lose my dream. My plan is the real win for everyone.”
His gaze returned to the road, but she saw that smug grin tug at his lips. She wanted to be thrilled for him. He’d built his career around CTC, and he wouldn’t pretend confidence he didn’t feel. She had a sinking feeling, however, that his secret plan could have unintended consequences. “Well, I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”
The car fell silent, then in a soft voice he said, “I hear that you’re hurt, but you’ve hurt me, too, you know. Yet despite the fact that you don’t have my back, I just signed a lease for a woman I’ve never met in order to make you happy. So how about you cut me a little slack today.”
She swallowed hard. She’d hurt him? Hunter had always been a force of nature, and rather impenetrable. Most of the time he commanded everything and everyone to bend to his will, and she could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen him cry in fourteen years. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” He pulled into his father’s driveway and turned off the engine. Instead of opening the door, he closed his eyes and put his forehead on the steering wheel.
“What are you doing?”
He sat back and opened his eyes. “Trying to find some Zen before having to deal with Jenna.”
Sara wrinkled her nose. “Come on. Time to rip off the Band-Aid.”