Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Essie pulled the roast chicken out of the oven. The skin was crackling brown from being basted with butter and the smell in the house was making her mouth water.
Frank came out of his office. He’d been in there most of the day after Essie had filled him in on all the new information Maude had given them.
Mostly Frank had been on a conference call with Bob, his attorney, but he’d also been viewing all the videos and posts that Ryan had put up.
At least those were the things he’d mentioned.
He’d come out a few times to get a drink or use the bathroom, and every time he’d worn a deep scowl or a look of disgust.
This time, however, he was smiling as he gazed happily at the chicken. “Please tell me you made mashed potatoes.”
They were keeping warm on the stove, already mashed with plenty of butter, garlic, and cream. “I did, and I’m about to make some gravy, so we’re not quite ready to eat yet.”
“How did you know this was exactly what I needed?”
She shrugged. “I just had a feeling.”
“You take such good care of me.” He walked straight to her and took her in his arms. “I am so glad you came into my life.”
She rested her cheek against his warm chest, the scent of his cologne wafting off him. “Even with all of this mess going on?”
“Yes.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry it’s happening but at the same time, I’m not sorry.”
That was a strange thing to say. She pulled back so she could see his face. “Why do you say that?”
His expression held a mix of sorrow, pain, and firm resolution. “Because it’s shown me who my children really are. And how much trouble Sophie is in. If not for you, I’d never have seen that. I’d never have known. Who knows where she might have ended up.”
“Sweetheart, if not for me, Sophie might not be in this trouble.” It hurt to admit that, but it had to be said. In a way, this whole thing was Essie’s fault.
To her surprise, he laughed. “Essie, love of my life, you did not create this desire in Sophie to seek fame and recognition at any price. As much as it pains me to admit this, that was her mother’s doing.
Ryan’s just fanning those flames. And you did not force Sophie to make any of the stupid choices she’s made lately.
All you’ve done is brought it into the daylight.
If not for you, it might have been too late when I found out about all of this. ”
“So you don’t think any of it is my fault?”
“Not for a single second. This is all on her.” Frank put his hands on Essie’s shoulders. “And that boy she’s gotten involved with. That Ryan is trouble of the worst kind. I know his type. He’s using her and she thinks he’s in love with her.”
“I think so, too.” Essie nodded, her heart breaking for Sophie and for Frank. “What are you going to do?”
“To start with, I’ve filled Chad in. He needs to know what’s going on with his sister. He’s as angry as I am. He’s going to invite her to come visit them for a few days. His idea. I hope Sophie takes him up on the offer.”
“She’ll want to see the kids at least, I’d think,” Essie said. Chad’s kids were precious.
“That’s what I’m hoping, too. If she goes, Chad’s going to try to talk to her. So is Tasha. They’re going to try to get whatever information they can out of her and show her what her life could be like. Gently. Well, maybe not so gently in Tasha’s case.”
“Right.” Essie let out a soft laugh. She liked Chad’s wife, Tasha, very much. She was incredibly sweet, very strong, and a protective mother. She ran her house like a well-oiled machine. “But if anyone can set Sophie right, it’s Tasha.”
Frank smiled. “You know that’s true. If she wasn’t so busy raising those kids and taking care of my son, I’d put her in charge of Italy. She’d get them straightened out.”
“How are things going over there?”
He shook his head and sighed. “It’s a work in progress.”
“Maybe you should send Chad, Tasha, and the kids over there for a while. Might be better to have your right-hand man on the ground.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll talk to Chad about it after we save Sophie from that deadbeat. To that end, I’ve hired a private investigator to look into him.”
“Charlie Riddle?”
His brows lifted in obvious amazement. “You do listen when I tell you about my golf outings, don’t you?”
She smiled. “I try. But you and Charlie have been friends for a while now. Since before he retired from the force.” Charlie had gotten his private investigator’s license to make some extra money after his career as a police detective had ended.
She couldn’t imagine Frank hiring anyone else.
“Anyway, I approve. Charlie’s a good guy. ”
“Yes, he is. He’s going to see what else he can find out about this Ryan.
I sent him all of Maude’s links. He’ll do a background check and the whole nine yards, but he’s already packing for Miami and plans to be there tonight.
Which reminds me—we owe your friend a debt of gratitude, but I’d like to pay her with something a little more tangible than words. What do you think she’d like?”
Essie thought a moment. “That box of chocolates you got me was nice. Maybe something like that?”
He laughed. “I think we can do better than a box of chocolates, don’t you? Does she like to shop? Does she like jewelry? Without her digging into this, we might not have known about Ryan.”
“She likes computers, obviously,” Essie said. “I know she plays video games.”
“Yeah?” Frank’s eyes narrowed. “So does Chad. Remember those headphones we got him for Christmas last year? The ones specifically for gaming? Let’s get her a pair of those. If you think she’d like those.”
Essie remembered them very well because they’d been expensive and Chad had been over the moon when he’d opened them. “I’m sure she’d love them.”
“Great. If I have them sent to the house, will you wrap them and get them to her?”
“Of course. That’s so nice of you.” Those headphones had been four or five hundred dollars. Essie couldn’t see how Maude wouldn’t love them.
“It’s nice of us,” he said. “And really, it’s a small gesture for what she did.” He looked over Essie’s shoulder at the chicken. “How soon are we going to eat?”
She snorted. It was true about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach. “Just as soon as I get the gravy made. And set the table.”
“You focus on the gravy. I’ll order those headphones and set the table when I’m done.”
“It’s a deal.”
He went back to his office, she went back to dinner.
She was just finishing up the gravy when he returned to the kitchen. He opened the cabinet to get plates out. “Headphones are ordered and they’ll be here tomorrow afternoon. I paid for rush shipping.”
“I’ll take them over as soon as they arrive.” She brought the gravy and the bowl of potatoes to the table. “Thank you for doing that. I love that you wanted to do it.”
He gathered silverware next. “People need to be appreciated when they make an effort. It’s how I run my businesses.”
She nodded. “And it’s why your employees love working for you.”
The chicken went on the table next, then the green beans. Frank filled two glasses with lemonade, then they sat. He said grace before carving the bird.
They’d only just filled their plates when his phone vibrated. “Sorry, but I should take this,” he said.
“It’s okay.” Normally, they kept their phones away from mealtimes, but with everything going on with the business and Sophie, he needed to be reachable.
“It’s Chad,” Frank said, looking at his screen. “Sophie’s accepted his invitation to visit.” He exhaled as he put the phone face-down on the table. “That’s good. That’s very good. And it’ll give Charlie time to do some investigating without Sophie to worry about.”
“Why would he have to worry about Sophie?”
“Because she met him at that dinner we had. If he tails Ryan, which I think he might, Sophie could recognize him.”
“Oh, that’s right.” But Essie doubted Sophie had paid that much attention to anyone but herself at that dinner. That was just who she was. “Well, I hope Charlie can uncover something that will make a difference.”
“So do I,” Frank said, hoisting a fork loaded with mashed potatoes and gravy. “So do I.”