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He hadn’t had that in California. He was less than fifteen minutes away at this point and that was more time through traffic than miles.
“It is. Not that I travel much. I’m a homebody, as you know. I guess the bigger question is if you are adapting to being home all day. You were the more outgoing one of us. Is the quiet getting to you?”
“Actually, it’s not. I wasn’t sure and took the risk.”
“Can I ask why?” Robin asked. “You seemed so happy there. Though we were all seeing how stressed and tired you were. Now we know. I’m glad everything worked out for your friend and his company, but happier that you’re not working yourself to the bone anymore.”
“I’m not sure it worked out the way Dean wanted it to, but that is neither here nor there.” He wasn’t going to go into details with his family. They didn’t know Dean and it didn’t change anything about what happened.
“All I care about is you. You walked away with flush pockets by the sounds of it and a new job and career.”
“I did. I can get sucked into things and you know that. I’ve spent a lot of years doing it and it was time for something different.” He reached over and grabbed Harper and tossed her in the air to the sound of giggles. “I didn’t want to miss this.”
“I’m glad you’re home, Rick. I know I’ve said it a few times, but I really am.”
“I’m used to asking you if everything is okay, not the other way around,” he said.
“I’m going to be the little sister that is there for you now. You’ve always been there for me. More than most. I appreciate it.”
“I should have been there more,” he said.
“Don’t go there with Alex. It’s in the past. The same as your old job and all the time you spent working. Time to start again.”
“That’s what I’m doing.”
She tilted her head at him as if she knew there was more going on, but he just continued to smile. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
“I’m all good,” he said.
“Then Harper and I will head home. Brian should be home soon and we are going to his parents’ house and then Meena’s. That is all the candy this little one is getting.”
“You’re not going to hand out candy tonight?” he asked. It wasn’t even five yet, but Robin had texted to see if she could come over earlier. He’d been working since six and got more than enough time in today as it was. He was still working six to five most days. Sometimes longer. He was to the point he was forcing himself off at no later than six so he didn’t get sucked in again.
It was hard, but he was managing it. Just like he’d noticed his blood pressure had gone down a few points.
There was no way eating healthy for less than two weeks would do it. Not in his mind. But he did feel good and he was relaxing more. Sleeping better too. Maybe there was something to be said about not stuffing his face with processed foods, sugar, and carb overloads.
“Not this year,” she said. “I did it last year and it was so much fun. Next year we’ll take Harper to a few houses. I did go to Blair’s house. I wanted to see Michael. He and Harper are only a few weeks apart. They will grow up and go to school together. Remember I told you that I bought Blair’s husband’s house?”
He remembered that now. “That’s nice.”
“Blair’s cousins both live in Paradise Place so she was going to their houses quickly too, then she’d hand out candy tonight.”
“Sounds nice and cozy,” he said.
Robin swatted his arm. “Someday you’ll have a family of your own and understand.”
“Someday,” he said and walked his sister out and then went to his kitchen.
His phone went off a few minutes later and he picked it up to see it was from Gillian and it was a picture of Ben in a fireman’s uniform. Then another shot came up with a selfie on it.
Cute,he typed back.
Are you going to be around in a little bit? I thought I’d stop and say hi since I was in the neighborhood to see Ben, he read.
I’m here. Come any time.
He got a smiley face in return and tossed his phone on the counter. He hadn’t eaten yet and was going to ask what her plans were but then stopped himself. She had probably already eaten or was eating at her brother’s. He didn’t want her to think she had to cook for him all the time.
