Chapter 27
Beatrix
When we get backfrom Seattle, Lizzy is back from summer camp, and Cooper’s headed to the stadium for some of the OTAs. This leaves the two of us to our own devices most days this week, and that’s meant a lot of pool and video game time when I’m finished with my half days working for Madison on Quentin’s projects. I’m just winding up some emails to inquire about some local business partnerships when Lizzy meanders into the room.
“Hey. You getting hungry?” I ask as I hit send and close my laptop.
“Starving. Are there snacks?”
“There’s some fruit in the fridge and some of the little baby cheeses your dad picked up from the grocery, but I was going to start making dinner. I was about to ask what you’d like—tacos, spaghetti, curry… Any of that sound good?”
“All of it, but tacos sound amazing. Do we have guacamole?”
“No, but I think we have the stuff to make it if you want to help me.” We make our way to the kitchen.
“Sure. What time is Dad getting home? Do you know?”
“In about an hour, so I think we can time it perfectly.” I smile at her, and we both start pulling ingredients from the pantry and fridge.
“So…” Lizzy starts. “My birthday is coming up soon, and I was thinking it would be amazing if you could make some of your signature cupcakes that you always used to make.”
“I can do that. But aren’t you and your dad going to the lake house for your birthday? I thought he said your grandparents had some special stuff planned for you down there.”
“We are, and they do. Which is why I was hoping you’d go with us…” She gives me a mischievous grin, and when I open my mouth to protest, she cuts me off at the pass. “And before you say no, I know that Uncle Rob will be there, but it’s a big house. You’ll be spending all of your time with me and Dad, and we can be out on the lake and doing our own thing. So besides a dinner or two, you won’t even have to see him. Plus, when he sees how gorgeous you look this summer, he’ll be eating his heart out.”
“Exactly how long have you been planning this ambush?” I laugh at the way she’s thought out her whole argument on this.
“A while. I just really want you to come. It’s sucked without you there, and this time, there’s no reason you can’t go. It’ll just be with me and Dad instead.”
“I don’t know. I don’t have any hard feelings where your uncle is concerned, and I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s a big house, and we can both do our own thing, but it’s really a family thing for you all, and I feel like I’d be intruding on that.”
“I want you intruding. It’s my birthday. I should get some say—and I want Trix hangouts and cupcakes for my birthday.” Lizzy rolls her lower lip and makes a face that lays on all the guilt.
“I’ll think about it, and we’ll have to see what your dad says.”
“I already talked to him. He thinks it’s a great idea.” She grins brightly.
I start to question that premise when I hear the doorbell ring, and I frown, looking to Lizzy for answers. She shrugs like she doesn’t know who it could be, and I wipe my hands and make my way to the door.
Peering out the small window, I see a man in a security uniform from the company that my father hired to install the cameras and monitor the property. True to his word, they were ready to go the moment we set foot back in Ohio, and for the last week, they’ve been diligently assembling everything to the specifications my father’s security team outlined.
“Hello. Is there still more work?” I ask through the door before I unlock it; I’m more cautious than ever.
“Hello.” The man offers me a warm smile, and his blue eyes light with the greeting. “Beatrix, I don’t know if you remember me. I’m James Sharp. I worked with your father out in Seattle. He hired my team to set everything up for you, and I just wanted to come by personally and take a final look through everything to make sure it’s all been done correctly.”
I tilt my head and study his face for a moment before the recognition comes. He’d been part of my father’s security team years ago. He’d always been funny and had been one of the good ones. He had helped me sneak away from a function or two for a breather when I couldn’t take any more of my father’s political contacts asking me how my classes were going or what colleges I had applied to.
“Yes!” I smile. “I remember you. It’s been a while. Sorry to be so standoffish. I’m just trying to be extra careful about things right now,” I explain as I unlock the door and let him in.
“Absolutely. From what your father said on the phone, it sounds like you can’t be too careful. I’m just glad my team and I can help with everything.”
“We appreciate it so much. You’re welcome to check in on things. I assume you know where everything is.”
“Yes. I’ve got a map here and some notes.” He holds up his phone.
“I’m just making dinner at the moment, but please let me know before you go.”
“That sounds perfect. Thank you, and again I’m sorry for interrupting,” he apologizes again, and I shake my head to let him know he’s fine before he takes off down the hall to check the cameras and security alarm.
When I return to the kitchen, Lizzy’s already got a bunch of the vegetable prep going and most of the spices we need pulled out of the cabinet. I take up my spot beside her and start working on the next steps.
“So?” she asks expectantly, her question returning me to our previous conversation.
“I’ll talk to your dad about it. I can’t make any promises, but if nothing else, I can premake a batch of cupcakes you all can take down with you.”
“Okay. But I want you there.” I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
“We’ll see,” I say, and we return to fixing up our taco dinner until we’re interrupted by James again.
“Hey,” I greet him as he stands at the edge of the kitchen.
“All done. Everything is up and running and looks great.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you checking everything. I know my dad and brother will be relieved.”
“The man of the house too, I assume?” James’s brow furrows in question.
“Yes. Him too.”
“Cooper’s great. We’ve done some work with the stadium lately to help them harden some of their offices and tech equipment just in case. You never know in this era. But we’ve done a few trainings with the players so they’re ready.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. Well, that’s good. Such a small world.”
“It is. Speaking of…” He reaches into his pocket and extracts a business card. “Here’s my information. My personal number is on there. If you need anything, day or night, you just call or text me. I loved working for your dad, and I just want to be sure you’re taken care of while you guys work through this. Anything at all, just get in touch.”
“Thank you.” I wipe my hands and take the card from him, following him down the hall as we walk to the front door. “If anything comes up, I’ll definitely be in touch. Between us, I think this is all a lot of overreaction for something relatively minor. But I guess it can’t hurt.”
“It never hurts to be extra cautious.” He gives me a soft smile. “Glad we can give you all some more peace of mind. Like I said, anytime. Have a good night!”
“You too!” We say our goodbyes, and I head back to the kitchen. I’d never admit it to any of the men in my life, but I am secretly grateful they care enough about me to be this protective. I know I’m lucky to have so many people looking out for me, including Cooper.