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“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
She lifted her hand, a silent acceptance that she supported my decision. It was one of the many things I loved most about her. She let me be who I was . . . and was right with me, even when I was still figuring things out.
I rang the doorbell. Jitters I rarely felt skittered through me.I hope this is the right move.
Pepper tapped her foot while we waited. “Miss Adeline is going to want a full rundown when we get home. I hope we have more to tell her than we waited an hour for the door to be answered.”
I snickered, grateful she had a sense of humor no matter the situation.
“You’re late.” Winston threw open the door with a scowl for the ages. I thought Lincoln had learned that from our father, but maybe I was wrong.
I shucked his shoulder. “Not the first time and won’t be the last.”
“I raised you better than that,” he said as he stepped aside.
“You did.” I hugged him despite the fact we weren’t usually affectionate. To my surprise, he hugged me back.
“I’m glad to see you.” He spoke quietly in my ear. There was an undertone of emotion and a wave of regret crashed over me.
“Let’s not be strangers anymore.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” He led us through the foyer to the formal dining room. “He’s not pleased with your tardiness.”
Is my father ever pleased?He should be happy I’d contacted him at all.
“I thought it was just going to be the three of us,” Pepper whispered as she took in the twenty-seat dining table in the monstrous room.
“Plus him.” I pointed to the bust on a pedestal of a man whose identity I wasn’t even sure of. Somebody from Mom’s side of the family, I supposed.
Pepper appeared a little overwhelmed at the ostentatiousness of the dining room. I pulled out the chair next to the one that used to be mine. We’d only eaten in here on holidays.
“My mom thought this room was absurd too,” I said once we’d sat.
That seemed to relax her a fraction.
“What about them?” Her eyes widened as she took in the portraits of my ancestors that lined the walls.
“Lincoln used to try to convince Beau and me that our great grandfather’s eyes move.” I pointed to him.
Pepper shuddered even as she stared.
“Your mother told him that.”
She startled at the sound of my father’s voice. He was a phantom, just like the people on these walls.
I hadn’t figured out if he dropped these little nuggets about her to hurt me or if it was because she was constantly on his mind. There was a time I wouldn’t have thought that possible. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
He stood at the head of the table, just as he’d done all my life, and surveyed its length.
“Why do you do that?” I assumed it was to prove he was lord and master of this domain.
“Because your grandfather did before all of our family meals.”
I’d have to hand it to my father. He seemed to be all about the family traditions. Unfortunately, I must have come from a long line of stuffy and unfeeling jerks on his side.
“I never did thank you,” Pepper said once he’d taken his seat.What did she possibly have to thank him for?“Teague told me you rushed Sadie, Muffy, and Ash to Dr. Lyons after the fire. I wouldn’t have expected that from you. But I’m grateful.”
His brow furrowed. I placed a hand on her knee, beyond amazed at her bravery. Not many people would have the courage to speak their mind to him. I certainly hadn’t much over the years.
