Twenty-Eight
Hale
Bay had made me smile more than once this evening, and I’d momentarily forgotten that I had a problem to deal with.
Rich would be losing a finger soon if I didn’t step in, and while I felt he deserved that lesson, I also couldn’t shake his family off my conscience. But giving the damn Trahans five million dollars wasn’t happening either. That would be showing a weakness, and we didn’t do that. Ever.
If I made the call to save Rich, then we’d be going to take him.
And it wouldn’t be friendly. He’d pay us back for the trouble.
I’d be sure of that. But he’d get to keep his fucking digits.
He needed them to work in the distillery.
It had been a while since I’d done something like this with the family, but seeing as it was my employee, I couldn’t just sit back and let the boys do it.
“Mr. Carver,” Ellen said, walking into the room, appearing anxious.
“Yes?”
“My daughter is in labor. I just got the call,” she began.
“Like I said, when it happens, you’re free to go.”
She smiled brightly. “Thank you,” she said.
“Of course. Enjoy your family, and congratulations on another baby.”
She nodded and then looked to Bay. “If you’re gone when I return in two weeks, it was very nice meeting you. I wish you the best.”
“Thank you. You too. And congratulations to your family.”
She gave us both one more beaming smile.
“All right, the kitchen is cleaned up, except for your dessert plates and glasses. The meals for the week are all prepped and in the refrigerator, along with instructions. There are extras in the freezer. Remember to set them in the refrigerator to thaw the night before you need them.”
“I can handle it. I will be just fine.”
“Yes, yes, I know you will. I’ll text you pictures as soon as she arrives.”
“I look forward to seeing her.”
“Unless you need anything else,” she began.
“Ellen, go,” I told her.
She laughed and spun around to hurry from the room.
“That’s exciting,” Bay said.
It was and although I didn’t relish her being gone for two weeks she deserved the time off with her family. “She has two grandsons, and this will be her third grandchild, but first girl. She will be staying with them and helping her daughter for the next two weeks.”
“That’s very nice of you.” Bay said sounding surprised by the fact I could be kind.
“She’s part of the family. I’ve let her leave to go help her daughter with each child. A girl needs her mom at a time like that.”
Why the fuck was I explaining myself to this woman? My leaving tonight was a good thing. Getting some space from Bay would help clear my head.
“Her leaving does put a slight hitch on things for tonight. I have some business I need to handle, and I can’t leave you alone. Not that you’d get far if you did try and run. I’ll have my daughter-in-law come stay with you. Ransom will be going with me, and she would be home alone anyway.”
Bay’s eyebrows shot up. “She will just come here to take over as my prison guard, no questions asked?”
I pushed my chair back to stand up unable not to smile at her question. “Yes, she will. And does this feel like a prison to you, Snow? I did open a bottle of wine that cost around four grand for you tonight. The meal was exceptional, was it not?”
She stared in horror at her empty glass. “Four thousand dollars for a bottle of merlot? I spend eighteen on a bottle at home. Why would anyone spend that much?”
I didn’t hide my disgust. “Darlin’, no one should drink eighteen-dollar wine,” I told her. “You’ll like Noa. She enjoys going to the wine cellar to pick out a bottle when she visits.”