Chapter Twenty-Four
Ellie walked up the steps to the house she’d grown up in, and pushed open the door without knocking. She could see her father already seated at the head of the table, his silver hair twinkling like tinsel in the light.
“Eleanor, I’m glad you could make it.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She took a step into the room and saw Val, Justin, and Carter on one side, and Caroline, Gabe, and…
Some guy she’d never met before.
“Eleanor, this is Bryun Kline. I mentioned him on the phone a few weeks ago,” her father said.
Ah, the senator’s son. How had she not realized this was going to be an ambush?
Bryun stood up and held his hand out to her. He was a tall man with dark hair and crystal-blue eyes. He was good-looking, clean-cut, and under any other circumstances, she might have been interested if she hadn’t been caught up in Mike and if her father hadn’t set her up without her permission.
“It’s good to meet you, Ellie. Your father has gone on and on, and I can see why.”
Someone made a gagging sound and Ellie was pretty sure it was Caroline.
“Hi, Bryun. I apologize if I seem a little surprised but I wasn’t expecting you.”
Bryun pulled out the chair next to his. “Well, I am hoping it was a happy surprise. I am excited to get to know you better.”
When Bryun wasn’t looking, Ellie shot her father a furious glance, to which he just shrugged.
This was not how she’d imagined this day.
As they started loading their plates, Ellie caught Gabe’s eye. “Hey Gabe, thanks for fixing Mike’s motorcycle.”
Her brother in laws brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Ellie paused with a forkful of eggs poised in front of her mouth. “Mike’s bike. He said you were fixing it.”
“No, Mike couldn’t afford it. He’s supposed to let me know if they find out who did it, but until then, it’s just sitting in my garage.”
Why had Mike lied? Was it to spare her feelings of guilt? Or was he embarrassed?
“How much will it be to fix it?” she asked.
“About ten grand.”
Ellie didn’t have that, not until October. The only way to get her hands on that much cash would be to ask her dad and he’d probably want her kidney for it.
Or her firstborn child, happily conceived from her union to Bryun.
“What is this about a motorcycle?” her father asked.
“My friend, Mike Stevens, has his motorcycle destroyed by the same person who slashed my tires.”
Her dad frowned. “Why would they do that?”
“I don’t really know.”
“I see.”
The rest of breakfast passed with banal chitchat, but when it was over, Ellie walked over to her dad and whispered, “Can I speak to you privately?”
“In my office. I will be along shortly.”
Ellie sat down, and waited impatiently. When he stepped into the room, he didn’t even wait for her to speak.
“How much do you need?”
She opened her mouth the protest, but what was the use. “I would like to borrow ten grand.”
“I’m not giving you money to fix some man’s motorcycle.”
“It was my fault it was destroyed.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just do. Please, Dad. I will work in your office during the day to pay off the loan.”
Her dad quirked an eyebrow at her. “I am surprised you didn’t simply tell me to take it out of your trust.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I have actually been trying to change.”
Her dad sat down at his desk with a nod. “I have noticed that.”
He reached into his desk and pulled out his checkbook. “Do you want me to make it out to him?”
“Actually, can you make it out to Gabe? I want to surprise Mike.”
Her father filled out the check and handed it to her. “You can go give this to Gabe, but you start promptly at eight on Monday. Don’t be late.”
On impulse, she came around the desk and hugged him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
Her father, never one to be comfortable with affection, coughed. “Yes, well, if things move beyond friendship with Mike, he is more than welcome to accompany you to brunch.”
As far as blessings went, that was better than anything either of her sisters had gotten.
Mike was sitting at home, drinking a beer and watching Scorpion, when someone knocked on his door. He got up and opened it to find Gracie standing on his doorstep.
“You here to hurl more insults at me?” he asked.
“Will you let me in so we can talk?”
Mike stepped back, allowing her to pass. Smalls, upon seeing his favorite godmother, started barking excitedly.
“Hello, my love,” she said, giving the puppy a snuggle.
“You had something to say to me?” Mike said impatiently.
Gracie scowled at him. “Fine. I thought you should know that you were right. I looked over Wendy’s plan and we both agreed that becoming partners was the best way to both get what we want. The Local Bean will be moving.”
“Well, I’m happy for you,” he said.
She poked him in the shoulder hard. “The next time you are unsure about whether something might be wrong, maybe you should talk to the person it affects the most. Especially if it’s me.”
“So, I’m forgiven.”
“Until you screw up again, yeah.”
Gracie kissed Smalls one more time on the nose and then turned to leave. As she hovered in the doorway, she pulled something out of her pocket.
“This is for you.”
Mike took the card, surprised. “Rock Canyon School District.”
“I put in a call and made a deal. They use you exclusively and they get a twenty-percent discount on computer maintenance. They are expecting your call.”
Mike stared at the card. “Thanks, Gracie. This means a lot.”
“That’s what friends are for. So remember that.”