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His mother pressed her lips together. “We’re moving at the end of the month. To Arizona. Henry went down last month to look at condos. We found an independent living community we like.”
Eric froze. His mother was walking out his life again. Only this time, she wasn’t leaving just him behind. His jaw clenched and his hands formed tight fists at his sides. “Did you tell Nate?”
“Not yet,” she said. “I wanted to speak with you first. We didn’t make the choices lightly. The dry air will be better for us. Henry’s asthma is getting worse.”
Henry. Of course. The man who’d been in her life for five minutes trumped the son she’d left behind countless times and the grandson still moving past his parents’ tragic deaths.
“I’ll talk to Nate,” he said. “I’ll handle it.”
“I hope you’ll come visit us once we’re settled. We’ll have a pool. I think Nate might enjoy it.”
His nephew appeared in the doorway. Eric scooped him, holding him tight. “Hey, buddy. How are the puppies?”
Nate launched into a monologue as Eric carried him to the car and secured him in his car seat. Georgia kept the conversation flowing, asking questions about the dogs while Eric drove. An hour slipped by, and toward the end Nate fell asleep.
“It’s his nap time,” Georgia whispered.
Eric nodded, not trusting himself to say a word. His mother was picking up and moving away. Logically, he understood the reasons. But he couldn’t push past how easy it was for her to say good-bye.
Eric turned into the drive. “I’ll carry him inside and put him to bed.”
But when they pulled up to the house, Eric spotted Liam’s truck blocking the entrance to his garage. Georgia’s brother leaned against the driver’s side, his expression grim.
“Change of plan,” Eric said. “You take Nate up, and I’ll talk to Liam.”
“Do you think he knows?” she asked.
“No. And I won’t tell him. Not today.” He’d had enough for one day. And right now, if Liam took a swing at him, which his friend would, Eric would fight back. Liam deserved to land a punch. Hell, maybe two. Eric had violated his trust and taken advantage of his sister. When the time came, Eric would take the hits without fighting back. But not today.
She opened her door as soon as he put the car in park.
“Georgia.” Liam hugged her tight. “Doesn’t he ever give you a day off?”
“Eric is just doing his part to keep me out of trouble,” she said, her voice light and teasing. “Are you checking up on me again?”
“Wish I was.” Liam released Georgia and looked at Eric. “I saw Caroline Smith last night.”
Eric gently lifted Nate out of his car seat. “The regional director for the Oregon Department of Forestry?”
Liam nodded. “She had some interesting things to say.”
Shit, Eric didn’t have room in his head for another crisis. Not right now. “Come inside. We’ll grab a beer, and you can tell me.”
“While you two gossip, I’ll be inside putting Nate to bed,” Georgia said, taking the sleeping three-year-old from him.
“I’ll let you in.” Eric headed for the house, unlocking the door and holding it for Georgia. Liam followed close behind.
After she disappeared up the stairs, Eric led his friend to the kitchen. “What did Caroline Smith say?”
“The DOF is starting an investigation into the White Rock fire,” Liam said.
Eric ran his hands through his hair. “Not good news, but that’s their job. I was expected to cover my share, maybe more, of the cost to put the fire out. It was my land and my operation.”
“I got the sense they’re digging for more,” Liam said. “The good news is Caroline likes you.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual.” He opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles.
“I was thinking maybe you could take her to dinner.” Liam accepted the beer, twisting off the cap with his hand. “A couple of nights with her wouldn’t kill you. Might soften her up.”
