Chapter Nineteen
"Hey, Reaves. How's it going? We haven't seen much of you around here the last week or two."
"Morning, Frank." Reaves went over to the front desk in the lobby. "Yeah, I've been spending most of my time at Dad's. How are things going with you?"
"I can't complain. Well—I could, but it wouldn't get me anywhere, so I don't." Frank said it with a chuckle, then looked him up and down. "You look like you're back to work this morning."
"I am. Just the usual meeting about the schedule." He checked his watch. "I'd better get out there. Ollie's coming for me."
"Don't let me hold you up. See you soon."
By the time Reaves made it to the bottom of the steps at the entrance to his building, Ollie was just pulling up at the curb. He climbed in and was still fastening his seatbelt when Ollie pulled away.
"What's up? We're not late, are we?"
"No. But I want to make a stop on the way in, if that's okay with you."
"Sure. Not a problem. What do you need to do?"
"I need to call in and pick up some prints from the photographer."
Reaves cocked an eyebrow. "What photographer? What am I missing?"
Ollie made a face. "You're only missing what I haven't told you. You know how Dad came last week?"
"No. You didn't even tell me that."
"Well—shit. Sorry, you've been busy. Let's start at the beginning. Dad came last week. And since we've been getting along so well lately, and his birthday's coming up, Callie arranged for this photo session." Ollie made a face, but Reaves smiled.
"That's awesome. I'm glad you're spending more time with him."
"I know. I'll admit it; you were right all along. And I feel kind of bad that it took Callie to talk me into giving him a chance again. I should have listened to you sooner."
"There's nothing to feel bad about. I'm glad you got there in the end." Reaves chuckled. "And I totally get why you'd listen to Callie instead of me. She's way prettier."
Ollie laughed with him. "I'm not going to argue with you about that one.
" He pulled over. "You can wait here if you want.
No need to come in—I'm just picking up some prints.
This photographer, she's really good. She took some of me and Dad, and me and Callie, and all three of us—and of course, the dogs.
We'll be able to get digital copies online, but Callie wanted to see the prints.
She wants to get one blown up and framed for Dad's birthday. "
He came back out in just a few minutes and passed a large manila envelope to Reaves. "Would you stick that in the glove box for me?"
As Reaves put it away, he remembered Alara's Rolos. He'd have to stop and buy some more on his way over to his dad's later.
"How are things going with the rebrand?" Ollie asked.
"Damn. We really haven't talked much, have we? Alara's done an amazing job with the labels. I need to show you. They're fantastic. Delaney's impressed."
"I knew she'd do a good job. She's a real artist, isn't she? I thought at first she just did flowers. But from what Callie tells me, she does all kinds of things. She even paints, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. She showed me some of her work on her phone." Reaves made a face. "She hasn't kept much of it. It seems she mostly sells what she paints."
"Well, when things settle down, you know what you can get her for her birthday, don't you? Some canvases and an easel."
"Yeah."
"What's up? Did I say something wrong?"
"No. It's just—I don't even know when her birthday is."
Ollie chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about it. You'll find out soon enough." He turned to glance at Reaves. "I mean, she's staying now, right?"
"I hope so."
"I do too. And seeing the three of you together, I don't think you have anything to worry about. You're like a little family unit already."
He smiled again at that. "Yeah. I guess we are. But it'll take her some time to get used to the idea."
"There's no rush now, is there? She’s figured out what’s going on with her health-wise, and she's getting back on track there."
"She is, and that reminds me — I've been meaning to ask. Is Zia covered under Alara's health insurance, or just Alara?"
"Do you really need to ask me that question?"
Reaves let out a short laugh. "I guess I don’t, do I?"
"No. It’s something I made sure was in place for everyone who’s on the payroll, their insurance covers their family. But back to Alara. Is she settled at your dad's place?"
"Yeah."
"Why do you sound so hesitant?"
"Because she is, but it's not ideal. Not long term. I mean—Dad loves having them there. I love that they're around. But if we're going to be a real little family, we're going to want our own place. And my apartment's not exactly Zia-friendly, is it?"
"So, you figure something out. You guys can get a place of your own."
Reaves nodded slowly. "Yeah. I guess we can." He didn’t know how long it would be before Alara would even consider that. One thing he knew for certain was that he hated the idea of her and Zia going back in the camper.
"Oh, and before we get into this meeting—have you thought any more about what we talked about? About maybe giving up the job?"
"I've given it a lot of thought, Ollie, and I’m going to have to do it. What about you?"
"I feel the same way. And I meant what I said—to me, when I talk about flying, I mean flying with you. If you're out, I'm out."
"I'm out. But I don't want to be completely out. I need to step up for Dad, but I don't want to say I'll never fly again."
"We're on the same page, as usual. I've been thinking about that.
If we tell Bentley we're ready to step down, we can find a new crew for him.
And we can tell him—and Jacob, for that matter—that we're happy to stand in whenever the new crew, or Trick and Elliott, need time off. How does that sound?"
Reaves smiled at him. "That sounds pretty damn good to me. If it works for you."
"I wouldn't have suggested it if it didn't."
"But what are you going to do with yourself?" Reaves asked. "Callie won't want you under her feet the whole time."
"No. But like I said, I'd love to help out at your dad's place, if you want me. You've never run a business before. I figure you might want a second-in-command."
Reaves laughed. "You've never run a business before either."
"Exactly. But between us, we can figure it out.
" Ollie came to a stop at the gates to the DuPont estate and turned to smile at Reaves while they waited for them to open.
"Your dad's always treated me like family.
And you know I see you guys that way. I admire what you want to do, and I know you can do it; I'm not saying you can't. I just think it'd be easier if we're in it together.
" He punched Reaves's shoulder. "And besides, I'd miss you too much otherwise. "
"Yeah, I'd miss you too, bud." Reaves cocked an eyebrow. "If you really want to do this, do you want to sit in on the meeting with Sterling Hartman with me in a couple of weeks?"
"Sure. In fact, I think I might come in useful to you there."
"I can handle them," Reaves began.
"No, I know that. What I mean is, you know how Jacob runs Stratton Wines for me through Jacobs Estate?
Well, he uses Sterling Hartman as the distributor.
The wines are nowhere near as good as your dad's, but Stratton's high-volume business.
We're worth a lot to them." He lifted a shoulder.
"I'm sure House of St. James will earn a place on its own merit.
But it can't do any harm if they think the Stratton Wines account might be riding on the outcome of that meeting. "
Reaves chuckled. "Thanks, bud."
~ ~ ~
Alara sat in her office, waiting for Delaney to arrive.
She felt better this morning. Yesterday had been a little better than Saturday, and today she was almost back to where she'd been before the first infusion on Friday. The weekend had been rough—especially just having to sit back and let them all take care of her, but she could admit that she’d needed it.
She brought a hand up to cover a yawn. She knew she'd be able to get through the day, though. She had this meeting with Delaney now, and then Reaves was coming over later.
She looked down at the papers on her desk and smiled. She loved the gold leaf a little more each time she saw it.
And Delaney was turning out to be a real ally.
Alara had dreaded waiting through the morning to hear how Aaron had reacted to her design—but Delaney had texted her a little while ago to let her know that he loved the whole concept and was particularly taken with the Rooted in Stillness part.
So rather than sitting in dread right now, she was looking forward to talking to Delaney about the rest of the branding package.
And she was ready to talk. She had ideas for the back label, and for the House of St. James crest as a standalone mark. She fired up the computer, wondering how much she'd be able to capture for the website design before Delaney arrived.
While the screen blinked to life, she scribbled out notes by hand.
Delaney wasn't expecting anything to be done and ready by the time she got here—and there was so much else to think about.
The bottle capsule, the back label, the packaging and cases.
The brand story itself was Delaney's department, but Alara was determined to make sure the Rooted in Stillness aesthetic was captured and extended across everything.
She looked up, startled, at the sound of a knock on the door. She'd gotten carried away with her notes.
"Come in," she called.
Delaney breezed in with a big smile on her face. "Morning, girlfriend. How's it going? How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling a lot better, thanks. And I have been resting. I'm ready to go. I don't need coddling, okay?"
Delaney grinned. "I'll try to take you at your word. But you have to remember that everyone else is warning me off."
Alara frowned. "Who's everyone?"