Chapter 11: Grant
I had been sitting at my desk for hours distracted with the thought that my party had turned out to be one for the record books. It was the first time I’d hosted that I didn’t indulge and I can only blame one person for breaking my streak. I had hoped that Katherine would surprise me and show up, but I’d underestimated her curiosity based on the ten minutes she’d watched from her window.
Sure I could have still participated in a pairing, but for some reason it didn’t feel right with her on my mind. She’d been there a lot lately, clouding my thoughts and my better judgment.
Sylvie hadn’t shown either and I wondered if she thought I’d reported her or would call her out to the group. She should know me better, but I couldn’t blame her for being a bit gun shy. She’d been called out before and suffered that humiliation once and it had cost her a few hookups. She may have decided to step out on her own.
I got up to pour myself a drink and returned to my desk where I’d been going over some new listings. I didn’t normally work on Sundays but, seeing how I’d decided not to make my normal appointment at the golf course, I needed something to help me focus. Or at least try.
Heels clicking their way across my tile caught my attention and as soon as I registered the thought that it had to be my daughter, her voice rang out from the hallway.
“Did you have a party here while I was gone?” I suddenly felt like I was a teenager again, and my dad had left me alone for the weekend only to return to find mom’s favorite vase smashed to bit in the bottom of the pool along with three condoms and a beer can someone had filled with rocks.
“Good afternoon, Halle. I take it you had a nice trip.” I gave her a hard glare but it didn’t penetrate hers. Her eyes were fixed on mine in a standoff of epic proportions.
“You are not a frat boy, and it’s a bit embarrassing to hear that your father is creating noise pollution and hosting keggers.”
Laughter belted from me before I could stop myself. “I’d hardly call a quiet evening with friends a fraternity kegger.”
“Small, quiet? That’s not the impression I got and this isn’t the first time you’ve done thing conveniently when I’m out of town.”
“Maybe it’s the way you show up unannounced.” I glanced back to the papers on my desk as she sucked in an audible breath.
“Are you trying to say I’m not welcome in my own home?” I glanced up to see her mouth slacken with her arms crossed in front of her. She glared down at me like I was some child she was scolding.
I planted my hands on my desk and stood to stare down my nose at her. “Stop being ridiculous, Halle. And lose the tone. I’m your father, not one of your boyfriends, and certainly not some childish frat boy as you’ve so eloquently stated.” She dropped her chin and stared at her shoes. “I can have any damn gathering I please and I don’t have to include you.” I sat down and collected myself.
Her voice was a mumble as she took a seat in front of me. “Sorry, Daddy. I’ve been so worried about you lately.”
My anger subsided as she wiped a stray tear and I opened my desk and passed her a tissue. “I don’t know who has been filling your head with nonsense about me, but I would at least think you’d recognize an exaggeration when you hear one.”
“So how have the sessions been going?” Her choice of content was curious as she changed the subject and I wondered if Katie had been the one to fill her head with garbage.
“They’ve been fine and for the last time there isn’t anything for you to worry about. You should be concentrating on whatever you’ve got going on and stop worrying about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you, Daddy. To tell me to stop would be the same as me giving you the same request. You wouldn’t listen. But to cure your curiosity, there’s nothing going on with me. I broke off a relationship before it turned toxic and that’s all you need to know.”
“Good to know. You’ll let me know if anything develops.”
She leaned forward and took my hand. “If you’ll do the same.” I wouldn’t promise her anything I couldn’t keep without a shadow of a doubt.
“So what do you think of Katie? Isn’t she amazing?” She beamed every time she mentioned her best friend.
“She’s certainly grown into a fine woman. If only she were my age and not your best friend.”
She giggled. “Daddy, don’t be ridiculous. Though, you’d do well to have someone as good as Katie. But I don’t think you’re her type.”
I decided not to argue that point. “So what are you doing here, other than to scold your old man?” I straightened the stack of papers and put them into their folder in my briefcase.
She sat back in her chair and fidgeted with her cuff. “I wanted to know what you thought of the Henderson property; the one at the island. It’s up for sale. I know there was extensive damage from a fire, but the lot alone could be a nice personal investment.”
I remembered the old place next to ours on the island. “I’ll check into it and let you know something. I’m not sure I want to stay there, much less expand.”
“Oh Daddy, you can’t get rid of our second home. I love it there. After you sold our other house to buy this one you promised I’d always have a home at the island.” The horror of her expression was a bit dramatic, but I remembered telling her that. I considered giving her the place, but wasn’t sure she could deal with the proper upkeep.
“I’ll think about it. I’m not making any decisions without talking to you first. I know the place has always been like home to you.”
“Thanks.” She glided her thumbs across her phone texting someone. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d had a conversation when she didn’t have that damned device close by.
“Are you going to see Katherine?” I wondered if she’d drop in on her friend since she lived so close by.
“Not today. I have to run. I’m meeting my assistant. She thinks we’re going over a few things from the business trip, but I wanted to surprise her with a new handbag. The one she’s carrying is so outdated and it’s orange, Daddy. Orange.” Her eyes widened and she shook her head like the color made her skin crawl.
I walked her out. “You’re a good friend, and a perfect daughter.” I kissed her cheek.
“I love you, Daddy. Promise me you’ll take good care of yourself.” She kissed me back and then hurried out.
I wasted no time going to the veranda hoping to make my way to Katherine’s house, but stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her there, on her knees, her hands digging in the soil of a flower bed beside her house, and her hair, that had escaped a messy ponytail, framing her face like a curtain. She was gorgeous, and also a big blabbermouth.
I walked up behind her as she took the small plant from its pot and stuck it in the hole. “That tiny thing will take years to block out any noise.”
Her head came up as if I’d startled her and she smiled. “I love hibiscus. I had one at my old place, but Halle said I couldn’t dig it up and bring it here. Something about that being tacky.” She shrugged and turned back to her plant.
“As tacky as tattling on her father, I’d guess.” My tone was meant to sting, but she turned and gave me a grin accompanied by a look that told me I had things all wrong.
“Tattling? Is someone being a naughty boy?” She giggled and rose to dust the dirt from her knees.
“You didn’t tell her about the party, did you?”
She stood quiet as if the words were sinking in. “I haven’t told Halle anything. Discretion is important in my line of work, and I have no desire to tell her anything about you. I think you’ll find that I mind my own business, which is one reason I opted to miss your party.”
Her bitter tone stung a bit and I felt like a fool for accusing her. “I’m sorry. I thought the party was loud and bothered you.”
Her head snapped up and she met my eyes. “If it had, you’d be the first person to know.” As she returned to her work, I stepped back to my own yard and retreated to the house.
Even though I was wrong about Katie, I was sure there was a rat somewhere.