The Fix (Carolina Connections #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to make.”
    I
grinned and went over to kiss the top of her head. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I
reassured. “What are you reading?”
    “Oh,
just looking for some healthy recipe ideas. Nothing I’ve made so far has been a
hit and I never realized how much sodium is in pre-packaged food. It’s
ridiculous!”
    She
removed her reading glasses and shifted her attention my way. “Sorry – enough
of that. I want to hear about you. How are you, Nate? Are you and Bailey
hanging in there?”
    “By
our fingernails, but yeah, we’re doing fine. Don’t worry.”
    “Anything
I can do to help?” She tilted her blond head.
    “Sure.
You can get one of those stupid ‘Hang in There’ cat posters and give it to Bay
– it’ll be hilarious to watch her try to be polite when she opens it.” I
smiled.
    She
slapped the back of my hand and scoffed, “Don’t torture your sister.”
    “I’ll
consider it. I suppose it would free up some time in my schedule.”
    Her
hand went to my arm more gently this time. “I know your dad can’t say it yet,
but you need to know that we both appreciate so much that you came home to take
over.” Okay, I guess it was time for the serious portion of the visit. “It’s no
secret that this wasn’t your plan, at least not yet, so I wanted to say thank
you again. I don’t know what we would do without you.” She started to tear up.
    “Whoa,
whoa – no need to get all mushy. You know I’m happy to do it. And besides, I’m
not really taking over. Dad will be back when he’s feeling better.” She
scowled at me so I hurried on, “I mean, I know it won’t be full time like
before, but still.”
    My
mother shifted in her chair. “I know. There is no way he’ll give up the
business completely but you know your dad doesn’t do things by half measure.
I’m just afraid he’ll gradually ramp things up until we’re right back where we
started and we may not be so lucky next time.” She had a point. “So that’s why
we need to use this recovery time to find him some hobbies.”
    Say
what?
    “The
doctor said there are plenty of activities he can do that are great for keeping
blood pressure down and can be quite engaging. I’m hoping if he becomes interested
in something else he might not be so eager to dive back into the deep end.”
    “Like
what?” I asked, picturing my dad playing croquet or painting tiny military figurines
with a little brush and a monocle. Inside my head I chuckled – outside I was
the picture of serious reflection.
    “Oh,
you know, putting together jigsaw puzzles or collecting coins or stamps. Or
painting landscapes! There are all sorts of things.” Her excitement was
palpable.
    Oh
wow. This was going to be fun.
    ***
    “I’ve
got one,” Bailey howled. “We can get him some gardening clogs and a
subscription to Home and Garden. ” Bailey and I were swapping new hobby
ideas for Dad between fits of hilarity, picturing the ultra-masculine force of
nature we knew as our father in an array of awkward scenarios. All of them
included our mom cheering on the sidelines. So far the best one involved the
Westminster Kennel Club and some dog trimming shears.
    “You cannot tell Mom about this conversation,” I reiterated, sitting across
from her desk trying to school my features.
    “Duh,
you shit-head,” came her clever response.
    It
was Monday morning and we were supposed to be going over some bid paperwork for
an upcoming meeting with a potential client, but I could not resist sharing with
her our mom’s plan from the weekend.
    “Oh,”
Bailey started, finally getting us back to business, “I forgot to tell you.
Doug called with some potentially troublesome news about the foreclosure
properties on Old Oak Ridge. It seems the neighbors are not taking too kindly
to having a commercial property in their midst. In his words, ‘Trouble is
a-brewin’.’”
    I
waved her off. “Tell them to take it up with the zoning office. Everything is
in order on our end. If