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I just wanted everything to go back to normal.
“Where are you?” Lincoln snapped, though he briefly closed his eyes in relief.
“Put it on speaker,” Beau hissed, diving for the phone.
“On my way to the mailroom. Apparently I have to wear a suit.”
I hadn’t realized how worried I’d been until I heard his voice. His words gave me no comfort. He’d given up his freedom, the life he loved . . . for me.
“Don’t do this,” I pleaded. I couldn’t let him do the thing he’d avoided all of his adult life. Miss Adeline and I would figure something out.
“It’s already done.” He sounded resolute with a note of acceptance.
“You’re going to regret this,” Beau said as she dropped her chin to her chest.
“Not if he holds up his end of the deal.” There was steel in his tone.
Beau snapped her head up.
“What did you do?” Lincoln asked carefully.
“It doesn't matter." There was defeat in Teague's voice.
"You can't trust him.” Desperation wove through every syllable.
“I don't have a choice. At least I'll be in the mailroom.”
I hated how detached he was. That he was forced into this because of me.
“It’s after eleven. Mail won’t be delivered for hours.”
It surprised me that Lincoln would know the inner workings of their whole company. He didn’t strike me as one who’d bother with anything beyond his role. That wasn’t fair. It was more like I didn’t think he’d have the time. Guess I was wrong.
“And you think that matters to him?” Teague asked bitterly.
“We’ll meet you there.” Beau grabbed her coat and slid her slender arms into the sleeves.
“What? No. I’m fine.”
Lincoln pushed off the desk. “See you in twenty.”
He hung up before Teague could argue.
I marveled at the support of this family. It seemed no matter if one of them struggled, the others rallied around them. Even if that meant staying up all night working in a mailroom. And risking their father’s wrath.
“I’ll come with you.” Teague had done so much for me. I couldn’t begin to repay him, but I could try.
“No.” Beau shook her head vehemently. “That’s not a good idea.”
“She’s right,” Lincoln chimed in. “We don’t know why our father is so determined to close this place, but my guess is Teague’s deal has squashed that for the moment. Let’s not unnecessarily provoke Father.”
I wanted to argue. I didn’t like sitting on the sidelines when there was something I could do. But I refused to make Teague’s life any more difficult than it had just become.
“Okay,” I conceded quietly.
I let them out the front door and locked it behind them.
Miss Adeline stared at a spot on the desk as if in a daze.
