Page 83 of Nothing to Fear

Alice laughed and leaned against her husband. “What do you think, my love, can you cope without Darroch at work tomorrow and Tuesday?”

“I can cope without him all week. For the rest of his life, in fact, if he wants to find himself alternative employment.”

Darroch kissed her head. “Don’t worry, baby, we’ll be okay. I’ve got a trust fund.”

“Underwritten by Brecken,” Benedict said.

“You give that guy too much responsibility.”

“You think I wanted to be the one wrangling the lot of you?” Benedict asked. “Your brother deserves a raise.”

“Well, I know who to talk to about that.”

“Brecken?” Alice asked and laughed.

Funny, sure, but she had to ask. “Do you really have a brother called Brecken Breckenridge?”

“Oh, no, dear,” Alice said.

“Rankin is the oldest,” Darroch explained. “Rankin is mom’s maiden name. And everyone called her dad, my maternal grandfather, Rankin. Got confusing.”

“So he became Brecken?”

“Colloquially,” Benedict said, and put his phone away as they stopped at the curb. “Ready?”

“Blaze?” Darroch asked. “Who booked this? Tripp?”

“I did,” Benedict said. “At your mother’s request.”

“Why would—”

“The salmon,” she said on a gasp.

“Yes!” Alice exclaimed. “They’ve created an entree for us.”

“Wow, really? I think maybe not so many cocktails tonight.”

“Live a little, my dear. You deserve a break.”

Benedict helped his wife out of the car. She expected to go after them, but Darroch pulled her back.

“Salmon? Cocktails?”

“Yes,” she said, happy to be bold. “You haven’t figured it out yet?”

“Figured it out yet?”

She kissed him quick. “Your parents are your competition.”

“My…?”

“My prior engagement was drinks with your folks.”

“Here?”

“No, me and your mom ate here alone before that, on the recommendation of her sons.”

“Darroch,” Benedict said from the sidewalk. “We’re going inside.”

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