Page 18 of Stables Spurs Suits
“You did what?”
“Yeah, I told you, I already picked out the couple of things I wanted from the estate; the rest doesn’t mean anything to me. Better for other people to have it.”
“Speaking of other items, the art has arrived at the gallery in Boston. They’re setting up an exhibit to show it, and then they’ll rotate it with other items loaned from collectors. Was there anything you wanted to bring here, for your place or the main house?”
“Not from that stuff, but there were some old plans of Bellerelle that were in my grandfather’s things from when he tried to buy the land from the Beakers. Have they arrived yet?”
“Yes, a few days ago. They’re at Lyall and Sons being framed. Should be ready in a few days.”
“Good. I’d like to give them to Dean for his birthday next week.”
“Is he doing anything special for it?”
“Can you keep a secret?” he asks, and I laugh.
“I think we established that I can’t. How quickly did I spill the beans about the board’s plan?”
“Right, but that was an ethical secret; this is a fun one.”
“Then sure, I can keep a fun secret.”
“We’ve invited Gramps and his brother and sister to come stay next week for his birthday. We’ll have a party and movie night here on the ranch. You’ll have to come.”
“Sure. I’d love to. I should probably get him a present. What does he like?”
“Preston.”
“He already has one of those.”
“Then your guess is as good as mine,” he laughs.
“I’ll think of something,” I say. A throat clears behind me, and I turn to find Atlas.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“A gift for Dean’s birthday,” I say, and then cover my mouth. “Shit, you said it was a secret, but Atlas knows, right?”
Atlas laughs. “I know all about it. Whose idea do you think it was to get Gramps back out here?”
Wow. It was Atlas’s idea? Atlas, the one guy on this ranch who’s happiest on his own, thought to invite even more people to stay at the ranch. Maybe it’s different because it’s Gramps, Alan, and Kelly. He did start here when it was Gramps’s ranch. I wonder if he was a nudist back then too. And now I’m remembering Atlas naked.
“So, are you staying?” Atlas asks, and I shake my head.
“What?”
He sighs.
“Are you staying for dinner? Sally-May wanted me to invite you.”
“Oh, umm, I should get going.”
“Suit yourself,” he says and then turns and starts to walk away.
My stomach growls. All I have at home is a frozen dinner. One of those meat and three veg kinds where the “meat” is a super thin circle covered in a gravy that hides just how far from meat it actually tastes.
“Actually, yeah. I will stay,” I say, and Connor slaps me on the back.
“Great. Hey, Atlas, tell Sally-May to set another plate. The suit is staying for dinner.”
