Page 96 of Save the Date
“The new windows should get shipped this week, and we’ll get them installed. And then Libba decided she wanted a powder room, and a kitchen, so we’ve stubbed in the plumbing for that.…”
“A kitchen and a powder room?” Cara frowned. “I had no idea they were doing that too. This is getting pretty expensive, huh?”
“Just materials, so far? We’ve spent around sixty thousand dollars, and that’s not including our labor.”
She shook her head. “All that money just for an after-party. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it turned out to be a good job for you and Ryan, but it just seems like a crazy expense—and all for an after-party. Not even the reception. And why? Brooke Trapnell doesn’t even really care about most of this stuff.”
“Libba cares,” Jack assured her. “She’s really stoked about getting that old barn fixed up. She’s got all kinds of plans for the place.”
“I know. Grandkids. Libba is such a sweet lady. I hope she gets her wish.”
“Why wouldn’t she? What? You don’t think Brooke and Harris want kids?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure Brooke knows what she wants.”
“Harris seems like a decent guy. I guess I was expecting some snotty, stuck-up punk. The Strayhorns have more money than God. But he’s okay. He came out to the farm yesterday and helped us unload some materials. He asked a lot of questions. He’s really interested in the old building.”
“He’s nice,” Cara agreed.
“What? You don’t like their chances either?”
Cara shugged. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’m an expert.”
“You seem pretty down tonight.”
“Just a little tired. Want to go upstairs?”
He grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
***
Their lovemaking had a different edge this time, but neither of them could have said why.
Afterward, Cara lay with her chin on Jack’s chest, and with his fingertip he traced slow circles on her bare back. “Want to talk about your day? I’m happy to listen. Are you still worried about your building being sold?”
“It’s just been an all-around sucky day. And not just that. I haven’t even really had time to think about calling my real-estate agent.”
“Why don’t you just go see this Cullen Kane? Put your cards on the table. Let him know you want to stay.”
She hesitated. “The thing is—maybe I shouldn’t stay.”
“Hey!” He cupped his hand under her chin. “What’s that mean?”
“The Colonel—my father, called this morning. He wants his money back, which is not new, but now he’s taken things to an entirely new level of guilt inducement. He actually told me it was a good thing my mom was dead—so she can’t see what a disappointment I’ve become.”
She forced a brittle smile. “He never says he misses her. But I know he does, and I guess his pressuring me to come home is his screwed-up way of saying he misses me too.”
Jack wrapped both arms around her. “Oh God, honey. I’m sorry. No wonder you’re so on edge tonight. So… what? You’re saying maybe you should close up the shop and go home to be with your dad? I get that. But if you’re not sure?”
“No,” Cara cut him off. “I don’t want to go home. Ohio’s his home, not mine. It’s the last place I want to be right now. Which pretty much makes me the worst daughter ever. I’m a horrible person, you know.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Run away, Jack Finnerty. You’re much too nice for a selfish, rotten person like me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said firmly. “If you don’t want to go back to Ohio, you must have your reasons. And you’re not a horrible person.”
“Maybe not. But I’m pretty screwed up.” She gave him a condensed version of her parents’ toxic marriage. “I can’t remember a time when either of them seemed happy together. When my dad was stationed overseas, my mom resented his being gone. I guess that’s when the drinking started. But when he was home, it was even worse. When I was away at college, I used to look for any excuse not to go home to see them. Freshman year, I even went skiing with a friend in Tahoe, just so I wouldn’t have to spend Christmas listening to them snipe at each other. I went away for spring break too, and as soon as I got back, that’s when she got really sick. Six months later, she was dead.”
“Why do you think they stayed together all that time?” Jack asked.
