Page 51 of In Step

I shrugged. “Didn’t seem a big deal at the time.” I avoided his gaze. “Should’ve known better with this lot, right?” I flicked my head to where Fox and Leroy were still horsing around.

Patrick said nothing, but I felt his keen eyes on me. “You know you can talk to me, right? Any time.”

“About what?” I kept my tone light as I took the toolbox from him and stowed it.

He shrugged. “Nothing in particular. Just wanted to make sure you knew.”

“Well, thanks. You too, okay?”

He nodded and we finished up in silence, the boat rolling softly on the light swell.

We berthed just before five, the wharf striped in lengthening shadows, the office light a small beacon of warmth drawing us home. Leroy headed to debrief Martha, place any orders, and transcribe the numbers and notes for the day, while the rest of us unloaded the gear. When headlights tracked over the boat, I looked across to find Abe waving off the last of the dance class while Judah was making his way to the wharf office. Judah raised a hand our way, but since I knew it wasn’t really aimed at me, I simply nodded and left it to Fox and Patrick to return the greeting.

Five minutes later, Cora drove up and also headed to the office, and I turned to Fox. “That’s Judah, Leroy, and Cora all in one confined space. Do you need to go referee?”

He thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “Nah. They’re grown-ups. Plus, I think Cora got a timely reminder when Judah had his attack about what’s really important in life, and it’s not fighting with your sons about their right to privacy. Besides...” He grinned. “There’s a good first-aid box in the office if it’s needed.”

We all laughed, but I noticed Fox kept his eye on the office, nonetheless, and we shooed him over there as soon as the heavy lifting was done.

“Wait for us in the car when you’re done,” he said over his shoulder as he left. “We’ll give you a lift up the hill.”

“I don’t need—”

“Just get in the fucking car, Sugar.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I squashed the urge to look over and see if he was standing there.Damn you, Abe.But I couldn’t stop the smile.

Ten minutes later when I was leaning on Leroy’s SUV, all five occupants of the office emerged with limbs intact, no obvious signs of blood, and a reasonable set of smiles on their faces. Armageddon had been averted or at least postponed. Hugs all around sealed the deal, and that uncomfortable knot in my chest that I’d barely acknowledged since I’d heard about the great key debate finally slid free, along with any pretence that this complicated family was just a job to me.

As Leroy, Judah, and Fox chatted by the office, Cora headed to her car and called me over. “I dropped a bean casserole at the top of your stairs. Made too much.”

I shook my head in defeat. “You didn’t need to do that, but thank you. I’m pretty sure you don’t even like bean casserole.”

She gave a sly grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. But before you take it, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the key business?”

I nodded warily. “Cora, I can’t get involve—”

“I don’t want that.” She glanced back at her sons and sighed. “It just got me thinking about pushing you to see Leroy for a possible job. It couldn’t have been easy for you, and I’m sorry if I made anything worse.”

“I desperately needed a job, Cora. I was grateful. Iamgrateful.”

She gave a half-smile and touched my arm. “That’s sweet of you. Thank you. But I upset my boys at the time. I know that. I always push too hard. A bull in a china shop, Martha says. Same as this bloody key thing. I haven’t always got things right, I know that. Far from it. Especially with Leroy.”

I took a second to frame what I wanted to say. “Cora, what you did for me, helping me find work and a place to live, was amazing. You always have the best intentions and you only want to help. But if you’re asking my opinion, then yes, maybe sometimes the delivery could be... tweaked?”

She snorted. “That’s very diplomatic of you.”

I smiled. “Knowing Leroy as I do now, he has the biggest heart. I doubt he’d have turned me down once he blew off his feelings about what I’d done, even without your pushing. You raised good boys, Cora, and they’re wonderful men. Maybe you could trust that a little more.”

Cora sighed. “I’m certainly going to try. Thank you.” She cupped my jaw. “And just so you know, I think you’re a wonderful man, Kane.”

I leaned into the soft touch, my heart tripping back nineteen years to another woman and another time.

“You have so much of your mother in you. I didn’t know her well, but she was always friendly and gracious and helped where she could. I know it’s been hard, but I think you’ve been a true blessing for us. You’ve earned your place here, and you can stand tall on that. Leroy speaks very highly of you, and you’ll always be welcome in my house, anytime, whether you stay in Painted Bay or not. I’m very proud of you.”

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