“The risks I take can only hurt me,” he said gruffly. “I’m not willing to hurt Evie.”
Nora sighed. “You’re going to hurt her anyway, Slater. Shouldn’t she at least have a say?”
Damn. That hit him like a punch to the gut. But before he could say anything, his phone rang. Picking it up, he saw it was Walker and considered letting it go to voicemail.
“Hang on,” he said to Nora before answering the call. “Hey, Walker. What’s up?”
“Hey, Slater. Sorry to bother you, but I thought I should give you a heads-up.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m up here at the lodge and…well…your father just checked in.”
The string of curses was out before he could stop them.
“What’s going on?” Nora asked, but he held up his hand to stop her.
“Did he ask for me?”
“No. It’s really just a coincidence that I was near the desk when he got here. I thought I recognized him, and I didn’t comment or acknowledge him. If I hadn’t heard his name, I wouldn’t have thought much of it, but I wanted you to know so you’re not completely blindsided when you run into him.”
“If I run into him.”
“Dude, come on. Why else would he be here?”
Why, indeed.
“You’ve got a point,” he said wearily. “Okay, thanks for letting me know. If you can, please let everyone know not to tell him where my office or cabin is. If I have to see him, it’ll be when I’m ready.”
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks.”
“And Slater?”
“Yeah?”
“We’ve got your back. Whatever you need.”
That made him smile. “I appreciate that. And thanks again, Walker. I’ll see you later.” Hanging up, he looked at Nora. “I’m sure by now you know what’s going on.”
“Your dad.”
“Yup.”
“Yikes. What are you going to do?”
“I have no idea, but I’m not ready to deal with him, especially while I’m still trying to figure out everything you and I just finished talking about.”
“His timing certainly sucks.”
That made him chuckle. “Trust me. You have no idea.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
Great question.
Leaning back in his chair, Slater stared up at the ceiling and wondered when his life had gotten so damn complicated. But he already knew the answer.
