My family is obnoxious, and they all start dinging their glasses with their silverware. So I give them what they want and kiss her longer…until they’re saying, “Get a room!”
Later, after more pumpkin pie than I need and a heated game of Dog-opoly, Lola and I slip out to the back deck. Thelake is dark and restless under the moon. I pull her against me, my jacket open so she can burrow into it.
“Thank you for today,” she murmurs into my chest. “For letting me be part of it.”
I tip her chin up and kiss her. “You’re thebestpart of it.”
Inside, someone cranks the music, and laughter spills out. Uncle Hal’s voice carries, declaring he’s going to dance with Grandma Nancy.
Lola laughs against my lips. “Romance is taking over Windy Harbor.”
A throat clears, and we turn to see my dad peeking his head out the door. “Forsomeof us,” he says, chuckling. “I was just checking to see if you’d like in on a game of Bananagrams. I heard you saying you like that one, Lola.”
“Ooo, count me in,” she says, her eyes lighting up.
“Excellent, and the Mustangs game just began,” he adds. “They’re looking really good out there.”
This might be my favorite day yet.
After the game, the fire’s dying down to embers in the big stone hearth, casting long, lazy shadows across the living room. Everyone’s sprawled out. The kids are asleep, and all of us are a little drowsy.
“How have you been feeling, Dad?” I ask.
We try not to bombard my dad with this question too much, but his health still weighs heavily on us.
“Things are great,” he says. “My doc is happy with how I’m progressing.”
All of us breathe a collective sigh of relief.
I hate dropping any negative news now, after such a great day. But I told my family I’d keep them up to date onanything Wade or Marcus might find out, and I’m leaving tomorrow for a game in Chicago, so this is my chance.
“Hey, guys, I’ve gotta talk to you all about something,” I start, voice low. “I hate to kill the vibe, especially tonight. But I wanted to talk about this in person.”
Dad sets his glass down. Goldie straightens. Even the grandmas lean forward a little.
“So far, nothing sticks directly to Daniel, but Wade is certain he’ll find it. He’s found the property management companies that owned Lola’s first two buildings and is looking into them more deeply. It’s obvious Daniel is involved, but his personal trail is pretty clean. Except things keep circling back to one name.”
I inhale sharply and just say it.
“Bruce Granger.”
The name lands like a stone.
Dad’s jaw tightens.
Dahlia lets out a bitter laugh, and Dylan rubs her back, checking to make sure she’s okay. Erin’s also squeezing Ava’s hand. I hate hurting them with this news about their dad. I filled Lola in on some of it on the ride here this morning, and she was shocked at how much Dahlia and Ava had gone through with him.
“Of course he’s involved,” Dahlia says, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry, Tully. It seems that there’s no end to the destruction my dad is willing to cause.”
“I wish I knew more, but it seemed significant just seeing anything tied to him at all.”
My dad groans. “That man will play dirty until he’s put behind bars.” He leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Maybe in trying to bring Daniel down, we’ll find something to pin on Bruce too.” He looks at Dahlia and Ava apologetically. “I’m sorry, girls. I hate to say that.”
“Please don’t be.” Dahlia shakes her head. “At this point, I’ll be relieved if that day ever comes.”
“He might be the middleman,” I finish. “Or more. Since he’s gotten away with things for so long, maybe he thinks he’s invincible…but he’s been sloppy in places.” I look at Lola and pull her in closer. “I hope we can get to the bottom of it. Marcus seems sure that they will.”
“You guys just stay safe,” Dad says. “I don’t want you to be fearful, but Bruce is getting more unhinged the older he gets. After he torched Dylan’s shop in California, I want my kids as far away from that man as humanly possible. Tell Marcus to call me. I can probably fill him in on a few missing pieces where Bruce is concerned.”