Page 28 of Finding Love

He shook his head. “No, she’s never made an effort to contact me, so…” He sat back as his steak and her burger was delivered.

They were halfway through their meal when Brook’s parents strolled in. From their attire, it was obvious they were on a date. Her mother was wearing a shiny silver dress and her dad had on a tie and a jacket. He’d met her mother on two occasions now, but this was the first time he’d seen her father.

He could tell that Brook took after him. Ryder stood and shook the man’s hand after her mother introduced them.

“Don’t you two look dressy tonight,” Brook said, hugging her mother. “Care to join us?”

“No, we’re meeting Sean and Becca,” her mother said, glancing around. “Who are not here yet.”

“Aunt Becca is always late,” Brook joked. “Sit until they arrive?”

“We won’t interrupt your dinner,” Brook’s father said.

“You won’t at all, please.” He motioned to the chair.

Her parents sat and her dad narrowed his eyes at him. “I assume you’re the Ryder that I’ve been hearing about?”

“Yes, sir.” He nodded, feeling his stomach dive. He hated that his reputation proceeded him in this case.

“It’s hard to recognize you with the longer hair and beard. You did used to go by James Gallant?” He nodded and her father continued. “Sara mentioned something about you being in town.” He glanced over to Brook.

“I wasn’t keeping him a secret.” Sara rolled her eyes as she chuckled. “I only just today realized who he was. Besides, you’ve been busy.”

Her dad smiled and suddenly the mood at the table lightened. For the next few minutes, while they waited for Brook’s aunt and uncle to arrive, the conversation focused on his offer on the house. Only after her aunt and uncle walked through the door did Brook finally mention that she was going to take a trip to Seattle with him.

He’d expected her parents to voice their worry, but they seemed happy and excited for them.

“When are you leaving?” her mother asked as they stood up and waved to Becca and Sean.

“We’re thinking of heading out tomorrow,” Brook answered.

Her mother’s eyebrows shot up, then she smiled. “I’ll move the schedule around. I’m sure I can get Avery to lend a hand while you’re gone.”

“Thanks.” Brook smiled and then waved to her aunt and uncle as her parents moved to join them at a table across the room. “That’s a relief,” she said to him once they were alone. “Avery Auston has been helping out for a while. She jumps between here, the bakery, and the flower shop. A Jill of all trades.” Brook sighed and relaxed.

“Her brother is Wyatt?” he asked, remembering the guy from the other day.

“Yes,” Brook agreed.

“He has a thing for Hannah.”

“What?” Brook sat forward, her eyes going wide. “Seriously?”

He smiled and took her hand. “At least from what I saw of the pair back on the beach.”

Brook was quiet for a moment, then shoved her plate aside. “Why don’t you clue me in on what to expect in Seattle?”

He leaned back and figured that he’d better prepare Brook for the hell he knew was waiting for him.

“When my father died, he left behind a mess. Legally, it was a power grab. It was clear in his will that I would get everything. The house. Cars. The business.” He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering briefly that first year. How he’d had to fight to salvage even a piece of his sanity. “Of course, the board of directors didn’t like that. Especially Mark Lindgren, Vice President of Operations. I wanted to take the business in a direction the board didn’t necessarily agree with. After two years of fighting, I decided to take a…” He shook his head. “Hiatus of sorts.”

“A walkabout?” she offered with a smile.

He chuckled. “Playing the pauper has taught me a lot.” His smile slipped. “What’s important. What isn’t.” He drank down the last of his tea, trying to wash down the bitter taste at the back of his throat that he always got when he thought of returning to Seattle.

“Okay, so, I take it Mark Lindgren is running the business now?” she asked.

He nodded. “A power position he had assumed he would step into after my father’s death.”

“How is he going to feel once you return?”

He took a deep breath and rolled the tension from his shoulders. “I’m just thankful you decided to tag along with me.” He shifted gears. “You have a calming effect on me. Somehow.”

Brook smiled and reached over to take his hand. “Whatever you need from me. I’m just looking forward to the trip to Seattle. It’s been a year or two since I’ve headed up there.”

He flipped his hand around and locked his fingers with hers. “Thanks.”

“What is the company name, anyway? I don’t think you’ve mentioned it.”

“The Gallant Corporation,” he answered, and her eyes went wide for a split second.

“Oh, right. I… somehow forgot that your dad was CEO of one of the largest investment corporations out there. And, of course, that it was your last name.” She rolled her eyes and smiled.