19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Simeon
“ I can’t thank you enough.” Rainbow grinned.
“My p-pleasure.” I’d cut off work a bit early to help out. I eyed the pile of plastic bins. She and I, along with Stanley and the psychiatrist on staff, Max, had hauled in about twenty bins marked Christmas decorations from the barn. Quickly I counted. Nope, twenty-five. I’d tried to ensure Rainbow had the lightest ones, but she’d been a little irritated at that.
To which Stanley’d quipped that, as the oldest, he deserved compassion.
In his early fifties, the guy was as fit as just about anyone I knew. I’d encountered him several times at Maddox and Ravi’s.
He’d once joked he needed to stay fit, with two kids.
With Angus a very mature twelve, I figured Stanley meant Opal, their four-year-old foster daughter.
The girl was bright, vibrant, and clearly adored Angus. And could also act out in tantrums rivaling Victor and Violet.
As we stood in the great room, Max grinned. His black beard always daunted me a bit. Or perhaps the medical degree with a specialty in psychiatry did that. More than anyone else in the ranch, he intimidated me.
And that was saying something.
Stanley turned to Max. “Can you watch the kids? I’d like to have a quick tour of the other house.” He turned to me. “If you don’t mind.”
“N-no.” I was flattered.
Since Angus sat on the couch reading to Opal, we probably had a few minutes. We hustled outside, still wearing our coats, and headed to the prefab.
I unlocked the door and headed inside, then held the door for Stanley. I flipped on the lights and tried to see it through his eyes.
Those brown eyes lit. “This is fantastic. I mean, the thing was just a shell three weeks ago. So you supervised everyone coming in, right? The plumber, the electrician…”
“Y-yes. Quite a job.” Our muddy boots would leave marks, but I wasn’t too concerned as the furniture delivery people, even if they wore booties, would still track dirt into the house. I’d need to do a thorough cleaning.
“The place is lovely. Really cozy—in a good way. I’m sure the Dixon parents are going to love it.”
God, I hope so. Their approval means everything. “This is a s-surprise. They don’t know. A Christmas p-present of sorts.”
“That’s great.”
“L-let me show you around.” I chuckled. “The entire three r-rooms.”
He grinned. “I can’t wait. Should I take my boots off?”
“Thanks.” I gestured to the bar. “There w-will be four stools.”
And so we were off. I took him through each nook and cranny—giving him a sense of how things would be organized.
He appeared impressed. As we stood in the bathroom, he touched the sink. “So, Justin’s parents are coming to stay for about a month in the summer.”
“Oh?” Where are his parents coming from? Oh, back east somewhere. Near Toronto?
“And as much as I love my in-laws—and I do love them—I was thinking it would be nice if they had their own space. Somewhere to retreat to if our household becomes too chaotic.”
“S-something like this?”
We stepped back into the main room.
“Yes. Or perhaps a wood cabin? One bedroom with a loft?”
I nodded. “Y-yes. That would fit with your property.” Stanley and his family lived just down the road from Maddox and his crew. Their property also backed onto the forest. A prefab like this might be jarring to the landscape, while a cabin nestled back near the tree line would be beautiful.
“So can you build it? I’d hire the crew to do the exterior construction part, of course. Felix’s husband Jacob is willing to supervise the septic system, the well drilling and construction, and so on. But I need someone to fix it up so it looks like this place.” He swept his hand in the space. “To make it habitable.”
“J-Jacob’s a good guy. I’ve worked with him b-before.” Not in a context like this, but definitely we could collaborate on the project. “Construction in M-March or April? Finished by M-May at the latest? If that works with Jacob.”
Stanley grinned. “That’s almost the exact timeline Jacob proposed. Have you spoken to him?”
I shook my head.
“Ah, so great minds—”
Someone knocked on the door.
Stanley and I exchanged a quick glance. I couldn’t think of anyone on the ranch who wouldn’t just wander in. I moved to the door quickly and opened it.
A tall Indian man stood in the doorway wearing a trench coat and with a messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He offered a polite smile. “Is Stanley Powers here?”
I stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.
“Arnav?” Stanley strode the few feet. “Is something wrong?”
“No…far from it.” He glanced around. “The nice lady in the other house said you were here. She said Justin was dealing with an emergency.”
Stanley winced. “Yes. He couldn’t give me the details, but it’s not a good situation. Why are you here?”
“I have something to discuss with you that’s pressing. Justin mentioned the party, and I figured coming here would be simpler. Rather than you coming to the office.”
“Ah, it must be important—”
“It is.” He held Stanley’s gaze. “Utmost importance.”
“All right then.” He glanced over at me.
“I c-can leave you the keys.”
“Shouldn’t take too long,” Arnav said.
“Let’s take it into the bedroom then.” Stanley laughed. “That sounds really bad.”
Arnav laughed. “I have visited my clients in many different places.” He gave me a quick glance. “Lawyer. Jack-of-all-trades.”
Since I had no idea what that mean, I merely smiled. “Nice to m-meet you.” I pointed to myself. “Simeon.”
He nodded. Then pulled a wallet out of his back pocket. Within moments, he was passing me a business card. “In case you ever need a lawyer. You’d be surprised at some of the clients I’ve cared for since passing the bar.”
I tucked his card into my shirt pocket. Knowing a lawyer wouldn’t be a bad thing—the one who’d helped me set up my company all those years ago had retired. “T-thank you.”
Stanley gestured to the bedroom.
Well, okay. I could just leave the keys on the bar, but he seemed to want me to stick around. I can’t imagine…but what if he needs —
The front door opened and Ryan flew in. "Guess what!? I did it! I played two rounds, and my hands were only shaking a little bit!" His blue eyes shone and his hair appeared coppery in the recessed lighting of the room.
“That’s g-great.” Don’t make it a big deal. “I’m w-waiting for Stanley and, uh, Arnav.” I wanted his news to be just normal. I was happy for him, but didn’t think I should make it a big deal.
Ryan’s brow knit. “Uh, okay.”
Was I supposed to make a bigger deal of this? “You can t-tell me about—”
“I can’t wait to tell Justin.” Stanley emerged from the bedroom, clapping Arnav’s back as the man kept pace. My friend met my gaze. “Uh…” He glanced at Arnav, as if asking permission.
The man gestured for him to share.
“We’re adopting Opal. It’s official once we sign the papers. Her mother…” He swallowed hard. “She’s given up…” He blinked rapidly.
Swiftly, uncaring of who else was in the room, I approached him and held open my arms.
He fell into them. “I…was so scared. That she’d change her mind.”
I was aware of Arnav and Ryan quietly slipping out of the house. I’d only met Stanley about half-a-dozen times over the last year, but I knew the man. Had witnessed his struggles to keep custody of Opal. Knew how much he, Justin, and Angus loved the little girl.
Will Opal understand? Now, maybe not. But when she’s grown? Will she feel the abandonment? The loss? At least she wouldn’t be an orphan. She’d have a family who would love her forever.
Finally, Stanley pulled back, wiping his eyes. “Sorry.”
“N-nothing to be sorry for. T-this is the best Christmas p-present ever. On the party day, no less.”
“A Christmas miracle?” He blinked. “Two years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I was worthy. I’d hurt Maddox—”
I squeezed his arm. “All f-forgiven.” Here, I could be certain because no less than Maddox himself had shared how forgiving Stanley had opened his heart to Ravi and the chance to find his true soulmate.
Might I ever find my own soulmate? Then I thought of the grandparents I adored. I had a damn good life and didn’t have the right to ask for more. So I wouldn’t. I’d take what I’d been given and treasure every moment.
I pulled the keys out of my pocket. “Let’s g-go see the kids. Hopefully Justin will be available s-soon.”
“Yeah.” He pulled me in for another quick hug. “Thank you so much.”
“My p-pleasure.”
He waited while I turned off all the lights and we headed back to the ranch house. The positive energy radiated off him. So did the profound relief.
Or maybe that was myself. Feeling happy because of what Ryan had shared.
When we stepped into the ranch house, Justin and Arnav stood off to one side.
Justin, spotting us, strode over and threw himself into Stanley’s welcoming arms.
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. To witness such unadulterated joy. And to have two men feel so free to express their happiness—that felt special. Hell, that was special.
I caught sight of Ryan—huddled with Angus on the couch. Holding a video game console.
Avery had Opal in her lap, and they were reading a book.
Kennedy and Rainbow were eyeing the fake Christmas tree.
Max, Denise, and Denise’s son Adam were sorting through Christmas lights.
I should go and help them.
Angus whooped. “That’s amazing.”
Ryan gazed up as everyone in the room turned to see why Angus had shouted. That wasn’t really like him. He was normally a pretty reserved kid—preferring reading to video games. Slowly, though, he was spending more time with kids his age. Justin often reported the progress to me. Somehow, he’d gleaned I was interested. That I cared.
And I did care. These kids were as close to family as I had outside my grandparents. Sure, I’d only met them a few times. But being invited in as often as had happened over the last few months felt special. Who knew fixing Maddox’s kitchen floor would lead to such friendships?
Angus held his game console in triumph.
The door opened and a rush of cold air accompanied it.
Dean and Adam barreled in. Dean rushed to close the door. “That’s blustery.”
I laughed. “It’s s-still above freezing.”
He mock glared. “I’ll have you know my Aussie ass isn’t used to this cold.”
Adam smacked his fiancé on the shoulder. “Language.” He gestured toward the kids.
None of whom had noticed. Like, at all.
Angus barreled over, then stopped dead before Adam. “You’re Adam.”
He grinned. “As I’ve always been. Nice to see you again.” Another former client who’d been open with me about his time here, in therapy.
Angus gestured toward the crew sorting Christmas lights. “That’s Adam.” He gestured at a younger boy in the crew sorting Christmas lights. “He’s Adam too.”
“Oh.” Dean cocked his head. “Well, this’ll be interesting.” He nudged his Adam. His fiancé. “You’re the second in line, right-o?”
The other man rolled his eyes. Somehow, whether in this lighting—or just because I knew him so much better than I had before—his scars weren’t as noticeable.
Angus held out the controller for me to see. “Ryan got a top score. He knew a secret passage and, uh…” He trailed off.
Undoubtedly at my confused expression. I squinted.
“Do you need glasses?” He tilted his head.
Ryan came up behind him. “Hey kiddo, how about we let Simeon take his boots and coat off?”
“Right.” He gazed at me sheepishly. “Sorry. I’m going to go show Adam.”
Adam junior was a few years younger than Angus and clearly looked up to the older boy. With that proclamation, Angus headed across the room.
I bent to remove my boots. And to reflect on the look of happiness I’d witnessed in Ryan’s eyes for just a moment. I’d do anything to see that smile again. After I straightened, I removed my coat and hung it on the rack.
When I turned back, Ryan offered me a steaming mug of cider. Rainbow was handing them around. “We drink first and then we hang lights.” He winked. “I think she’s buttering us up.”
Max stopped fidgeting with the lights to accept his cider. He appeared overwhelmed, with a furrow in his brow.
“We have to h-help.”
“And we will.” Ryan clinked his mug with mine.
I sipped, enjoying the rich, warm flavor. “So, uh, w-what did you do with the game?” Are you okay? What changed for you? I couldn’t ask, but I kept a close eye on his expression.
“Oh.” He shifted from one foot from the other, but held his gaze on me. “There’s a secret passage. I think I played that game five hundred times before I stumbled upon it.” He leaned in. “But I made certain my score wasn’t too high. Angus will easily be able to beat it now he knows the secret.”
My heart soared. He understood. What it was like to be a young boy and to be bested at something. How often had that happened to me, and I’d been left no chance to do better?
Too often .
“So what’s your favorite game?” Ryan asked me.
I blinked.
Ryan nodded encouragingly.
“I d-don’t play. I’ve n-never played.” Admittedly, I didn’t know many guys my age or younger who didn’t play.
Okay, any.
But I’d never had the inclination. Even if I’d been good at it, I worried the other kids would just make fun of me. So I never played.
"What the shit?” Ryan flinched, quickly glanced around to find we were the only ones, then beckoned me. “Come on—we're going to find Angus, and we're going to play."
And so we did.
Afterward, at Rainbow’s insistence, we decorated the tree.