Page 40 of Small Town Swoo
“I’mgood.”
“Be right back.”
We watched him enter the house and slide the glass door shut. “So what’s he do, call her while he’s in the car or something?” I asked quietly.
“That’s my guess.” Xander started to laugh. “Poor guy. Sneaking around like a teenager.”
“He’s been in a great mood over the last few days. I sort of assumed it was because of my surprise visit, but now I don’t know.”
“Maybe the sap is still rising,” joked Xander.
Our dad came out of the house and joined us at the patio table again, setting a bottle of water in front of me. Now it was unmistakable to me—the spring in his step, the glimmer in his eye, the quick humor.
After he’d eaten his lunch, he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach. “You know, I’ve been thinking about taking a little road trip before the wedding.”
Xander and I exchanged a glance. “Oh yeah?” my brother asked. “Where to?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I might just get in the car and hit the road now that the weather is good. See where the wind blows me.” He laughed.
“Want company, Dad?” I inquired, even though I knew what the answer would be.
“Actually, I was thinking of striking out on my own,” he said. “Maybe you’d be able to keep an eye on Fritz for a few days?”
“Sure. No problem at all. When are you thinking about hitting the road?”
“Oh, maybe next week sometime. No real plan.” On the table next to his glass of iced tea, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and glanced at the screen, a smile overtaking his face. “’Scuse me, boys. I need to make a quick call.”
Xander and I watched him hurry into the house and quickly slide the door closed. Then we looked at each other.
“I have a feeling I know what direction the wind will be blowing in the day he leaves,” Xander said.
“Same. I’m no psychic, but I predict a southerly breeze that takes him straight to Nashville.” I laughed, tipping my chair back again. “So do we say anything?”
“Nah. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.” Xander folded his arms over his chest. “So you’re seeing Ari again tonight, huh? What’s up with that?”
I let the front legs of my chair hit the ground. “Nothing, and don’t start any rumors.”
My brother looked delighted at having pushed a button. “You seem testy all of a sudden. Was it something I said?”
“No wonder Dad doesn’t want us to know about his friend. All this family does is stir shit up.”
“Hey, you’re the one who told me she was making dinner for you again.”
“It’s notfor me,” I said irritably. “She’s making dinner, and I’m going to eat it. There’s a difference.”
Xander smirked just like Austin had. “Sure.”
“Listen, I don’t need a lecture on how I need to be a gentleman with Ari from you, okay? I already got it from Austin this morning. And you know what? Ari’s not a little kid anymore, she’s a grown woman, and she can make her own decisions.”
“Dude, I wasn’t going to lecture you.”
“No?”
“No. I was going to tell you flat out that if you’re shitty to her, I’ll kick your ass.”
I laughed. “Much better. Thanks.”
SEVEN
