CHAPTER NINE
I’m scanning over the entries for our upcoming horse sale when there’s a knock on my office door. Dennis strolls in without waiting for an invite. It’s not as if my uncle needs one.
“Afternoon,” I greet.
The older man tips his hat while ambling to the chair across from my desk. “Got a minute?”
“Absolutely.” The papers in my hands are already pushed aside. My full attention is focused on him getting settled on his seat. “What can I do for you?”
Dennis takes a moment to look around, tugging at the persistent knot in my gut. “How are things going ‘round here?”
My mind immediately goes to Chance and what he could’ve done to fuck things up now. “Can’t complain. The stock for the final fall auction looks promising. It’s already bigger than last year’s and registration is still open until the end of next week.”
“Good. That’s real good.” It’s obvious from his distracted tone that he didn’t come here to talk about the sale numbers.
I study his attempt at nonchalance for another second. “How’s everything going with you?”
“Right as rain. Retirement has really cleared up my schedule. Not much to do with the snow starting to fly.”
“Want me to put you to work?”
His laughter fills the entire room. “Nah, kid. I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather keep trying my luck at pull tabs and bingo. There’s actually something I wanted to ask you.”
I brace for the worst. “Shoot.”
“Have you heard from your dad?”
Air whistles from between my clenched teeth.
Try as I might to expect it, the stench of betrayal chokes me.
My father’s crimes against our family are vast and detrimental.
A dark cloud has loomed over us since Dad ran off, too chickenshit to face his latest—and most ruthless—attack.
If I ever see him again, it’ll be too soon. I tell my uncle as much.
He bobs his head in agreement. “That’s what I figured, but those incidents at our properties had me curious. He might’ve found a new organization to hide behind and they’re coming after our business for a payout.”
What he’s referring to are a handful of sporadic hits, such as stealing our grain storage and snatching the spare tires from our trailer lot. It’s a nuisance more than anything. But now that I’m thinking about it, they could be related to what’s happened here.
“Chance had a few strange hiccups recently, but I blamed it on his shitty work ethic,” I drawl.
“What happened?”
“Minor snags. Mostly scheduling errors and missing documents. Nothing I couldn’t fix. Chance and his lack of focus are probably responsible.”
My uncle scratches at the whiskers coating his jaw. “Keep an eye on it, yeah?”
“Already am.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” And with that subject covered, it might be time for him to leave. Dennis stays right where he is.
I clear my throat, ignoring the discomfort in my gut. “Something else on your mind?”
A suspicious gleam flickers in his gaze. “Rumor has it that Ronnie is doing better lately.”
My eyes move to the framed picture of her on my desk. Warmth spreads through my veins at the sight. She’s buried in sand at the beach, smiling wide for the camera. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky or a worry in the world that day.
“You could say that,” I hedge.
“Does it have anything to do with that nanny you hired?”
I study my uncle for a brief pause. That sparkle in his eyes is even brighter now. It warns me to tread carefully.
“Frankie seems to be having a positive impact,” I admit.
“She’s Colton’s cousin, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you concerned that she was part of James Keller’s crew?”
“Are you?” I counter.
Dennis chuckles and reclines deeper in his chair. “I’m not the one who invited her into my home.”
“Ronnie was very insistent.”
“I have a daughter who thinks she knows what’s best too. Doesn’t mean she actually does.”
A casual shrug is my initial response. “Frankie is on somewhat of a probation period. I haven’t left her alone at the house with Ronnie. What she does on her own time isn’t as big of a concern. If she chooses to take my trust for granted and steals from me, I’ll gladly hand her over to the cops.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time, hmm?”
“That served its purpose.” And I smirk recalling Frankie’s reaction.
Dennis grins too. “Don’t blame ya for tryin’ to fence her in. She’s a beautiful woman.”
My humor sobers. “Is she? I hadn’t noticed.”
He wags a knobby finger at me. “I’m old, but not blind. It’ll be nice for you to have a feminine touch in the house again.”
I scowl. “The nanny is for Ronnie. It’s her job to make my daughter happy. Once Frankie no longer does that, she’s free to go.”
He leans forward and pats my fist. “I understand, son. My Marion just passed. I can’t imagine ever moving on, but I’m near the end of my time. You’ve got decades left to live. No reason to spend them alone.”
My heart clenches. Dennis shares the pain of grieving a spouse. It’s been almost six years since I lost Nina. I haven’t attempted to move on or fill the gaping hole she left behind. All of my effort went into being the best father I could be for our little girl.
Frankie put an end to my dry spell, but it was meaningless. Heat floods me and I curse her name. It’s just the lack of sex, or physical contact in general. I went too long without intimacy. That’s all. She’s nothing special.
“My daughter is my sole priority,” I state evenly.
“Sure, sure. Strictly professional with the nanny,” Dennis concedes. “Will we see you at Thanksgiving?”
I shake my head. “Bianca invited us, but we’re going to stay home this year. Hope that’s okay.”
He waves me off. “It’s good to stay put and start your own traditions. You’ve got your hands full over there.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose as he changes tactics. “Yeah, I’ve got a bit of a flight risk to deal with.”
“Can I give you a piece of advice?”
“You’re gonna tell me either way.” My tone is a grumble, but there’s no anger behind it.
“Smart man,” he chuckles. “Choose to take it or not. Frankie is a wild card and it shows. If she wants to run free, you gotta let her. She’ll never be satisfied otherwise.”
“Like I said, she won’t be sticking around after Ronnie is done with her. Until then, I think we’ve reached an understanding.”
My uncle stands, stretching his back. “Then you’ve got it taken care of. Keep up the good work, kid.”