Not Quite Over You
Page 19

“You feel guilty.”
“I do. Why is that?”
“Because you kept something from him, and while the reasons made sense at the time, you’re less sure now and you’re going to have to tell him and won’t that be awkward.”
Silver studied her friend. “You’re insightful, aren’t you?”
“I can be.”
Why was that? Had Renee been born more intuitive than most or had life circumstances pushed her to the fringes where she was forced to observe rather than participate?
Yet another question that would be difficult to ask, Silver thought.
“I’m going to tell him,” she said, as much to herself as to Renee. “Really, really soon.”
“Or you could wait and let Autumn spring it on him.”
“I wouldn’t do that to her. When she meets her birth father, I want it to be a happy moment.”
“What about for Drew?”
“I want him to understand and be sweet to his daughter.”
“Are you worried he won’t be?”
“Not really. I’m mostly being a coward, which isn’t like me.” She put both hands on the desk and looked at Renee. “I’m done being wishy-washy. I’m telling him no matter what.”
Renee smiled. “You go, girl.”
CHAPTER SIX
DREW HEADED UP to the big house. As he parked, he chuckled at the double meaning—in many ways his grandfather’s estate had been the opposite of prison. When Drew had moved in, he’d felt a sense of release and freedom.
The Saturday morning air was clear with only the slightest hint of crispness. Fall in the California desert meant warm days and cool nights. It wasn’t until winter that temperatures would get anywhere close to cold. He tried to get out to the house at least a couple of Saturday mornings a month. Not so much to check on his grandfather as to hang out with him. Despite his years, Grandpa Frank was healthy, active and always looking for fun. Drew hoped to be just like him when he was in his eighties.
The housekeeper let him in. She smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Drew.”
“Good morning, Amelia. How are things?”
“Good. Thank you. Your grandfather is in his office.”
“Thanks. I’ll show myself back.” He hesitated. “Is she, ah, up?”
Amelia hid a smile behind her hand. “She’s gone into town already, Mr. Drew.”
“Excellent.”
His aunt Libby lived with her father. She’d moved back to the house where she’d grown up years ago, when Pallas and Cade had still been kids. Drew had never understood why, but he remembered his mother being livid when she’d found out. From what he could recall, his mother’s fury had been more about not thinking of making the move first rather than missing out on time with her father. A few years later, his parents had left the country but the annoyance had not been forgotten.
Irene and Libby had always been competitive and not in a positive way. His other aunts were pleasant, charming women. Drew had always wondered why his mother and Libby were so, ah, different.
He found his grandfather sitting at his computer. When he spotted Drew, he smiled and stood.
“Why don’t you have a life?” he teased as he walked over and hugged him. “You should be lying in bed with a beautiful young woman on a Saturday morning. Not visiting an old man.”
“You’re my favorite grandfather,” Drew told him. “Where else would I be? Besides, I seem to be fresh out of beautiful young women at the moment.”
Not counting Silver, he reminded himself, thinking about the new tattoo he’d seen and wondering about the ones he hadn’t. As a teenager, Silver had ensnared him with her beauty and humor and street smarts. All these years later, she was only more enticing. Working with her was even better than he’d hoped, and he’d hoped for a lot.
They walked to the kitchen, where Grandpa Frank poured them each a cup of coffee. They sat in the sunroom. From there they could see much of the town along with the golf course and animal preserve.
“I’m thinking of buying a car,” his grandfather said. “A 1968 Mustang.”
“Sweet. Already restored or would you do the work yourself?”
“I’m not sure. Restored is more expensive, but at my age, I have no interest in crawling under a car. I’ll have to see.” He winked at Drew. “It will annoy your aunt.”
“It’s your money. Libby doesn’t get a vote.”
“She doesn’t see it that way. How’s your mother?”
The question sounded casual enough but Drew still went on alert. As a rule, he and Grandpa Frank never discussed his parents.
“Last I heard, she and Dad are doing well.”
His grandfather sipped his coffee. “They want you to run the bank for a few years, then join them at the lobbying firm.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“You’re still not interested?”
Drew shook his head. “I like where I am. I’ve always been interested in how money works and that hasn’t changed.”
His grandfather eyed him. “You’re making plans for after I retire. I know you are.”
Drew grinned. “Maybe a few. I want to get more involved with the community. Be more friendly to small businesses.”
“I heard about what happened with Silver’s loan.” His grandfather didn’t sound pleased. “Libby’s always had a burr up her butt about that girl. Or maybe it’s how she interacts with you. Maybe she’s worried that if you and Silver get back together, you’ll put down roots. I suspect she’s hoping your parents can lure you away and she can take over the bank.”
Drew knew better than to be surprised by the old man’s comments and insights. Grandpa Frank had always known what was going on in his family. He listened and Drew was pretty sure he had a couple of employees acting as benevolent spies.
As for him and Silver getting back together—it wasn’t the worst idea ever. Being around her, working together had been great. He’d always liked her, had always respected her. The first time around they’d been too young, but they were more mature now. Maybe they were finally ready for what they could have.
“You know I went into business with her,” he said.
“I heard. Interesting thing to do. How’s it going?”
“So far so good. Last weekend I worked a couple of weddings with her. I liked it a lot. The bank is such an established institution. There are so many rules and regulations. Entrepreneurs often have to make it up as they go.” He picked up his coffee. “Have you ever thought of starting a venture capital firm and helping start-ups?”
“That’s a young man’s game.”
“You’re not so old.”
His grandfather smiled. “Too old for that, but it’s an interesting idea. You should think about it.”
“I don’t have the money. Besides, I’m the bank guy, remember?”
“I do, and speaking of that, I’m going to officially retire. I’ll be announcing my decision in the next week or so.”
The news was a kick in the gut. Drew had always known it was going to happen. His grandfather was well into his eighties, long past when most people retired, but still.
“The bank won’t be the same without you,” he said honestly. “I’ll miss seeing you around.”