Page 83 of Kage

“Nothing that would interest you.”

Jarvis returned, the old geezer studying our interaction way too carefully. “How’s your uncle’s place treating you?”

“Haven’t really done much with the cabin. Still unsure if I want to sell.”

“You can’t do that, son. Henry really wanted you to have the place.” Jarvis shook his head. “You know, he talked about you all the time.”

“You’re shitting me.” I finally sat down next to her, avoiding her gaze. “Why the hell would he do that? He and my father didn’t exactly get along.”

He poured Juliette’s wine, sliding the glass in her direction. “Families are tragedies waiting to happen. That much I know personally. Still, that’s all he would talk about. Through you he lived another chapter of his life. He loved the Navy, and was so proud of you for joining, but he was a lonely man.”

“My father barely mentioned Henry served in the Navy.” I thought about the collection of photographs, another wave of guilt just below the surface.

Jarvis’ eyes opened wide as he grabbed my beer from the cooler, popping the top. “Hell, yeah. The man was decorated to the hilt. If you ask me, I think he always wanted a son to carry on thetradition. You did that for him. He was a private man, but from the few stories he told, he had the same kind of experiences I did while overseas. The kind of shit that gives nightmares an entirely new definition. He was a tortured man after he got out of the service. Then he came here and, well, people change.” His laugh sounded bitter. Or knowing. “I know that all too well. I’m no psychologist, but I think he knew you needed a nudge to try and find peace.”

The man shifted his gaze toward Juliette, a grin crossing his face. If he thought the woman was going to bring me any peace, he had no clue.

“Like I said. Not sure what I want to do yet.”

I wasn’t in the mood for war stories. Not right now. He seemed to sense the subject was off limits, pouring the shot of whiskey heavy.

“If that’s the case, there has been lots of interest in your uncle’s place given what he wanted to turn it into. If you decide it’s too much for you, I know some people.” His hesitation was a clear indication he was waiting for me to tell him no. That wasn’t going to happen. “Let me know if you need anything.”

What the hell had Henry wanted to turn the place into? A horse farm? Shit. That didn’t interest me in the least.

“Yeah. Will do.” He walked away and Juliette immediately dipped and turned her head toward me, trying to gain eye contact.

I didn’t give it to her. The last thing I wanted was for some social prima donna to interfere with my life.

“The house is your uncle’s place. He left it to you?”

“Yeah, he did.” I took a pull of the beer, not looking in her direction. She was far too close, which made my balls tighten. And the damn perfume was giving me a headache.

“And you want to sell it? That’s terrible.”

There it went, her condescending attitude. She knew nothing about me and that’s the way it was going to stay.

“I don’t know what I want, Juliette.” I said the words a little too forcefully.

“Corabelle. Rules. Remember?”

“Yeah, I remember,” I grumbled. “Why Corabelle?”

“Just a favorite character from a movie a long time ago.” Every word out of her mouth irritated me, which was ridiculous, but somehow, she’d managed to continue unnerving me. “This is a beautiful town. Next time we come out, I’ll bring my camera. The backdrop would make a beautiful addition to my blog.”

“There ain’t gonna be a next time. And no social fucking media.” I’d raised my voice enough even Jarvis looked over at me. I threw back half the liquor.

“Jesus. I didn’t mean I’d post anything right now. I meant in the future. I’m not stupid, Kage. No matter what you think.”

“I never said you were stupid.” Shit. The whiskey was going down too easily.

“You didn’t need to. I can tell what you think of me. I’m nothing like you’ve painted me to be. But since you never give anybody a chance or the time of day, you wouldn’t know. I’m shocked you adopted Tank.”

“What does that fuckin’ mean?”

She shifted closer, her defiance shameless. “That means I can’t believe you have the capacity to take care of anything or anyone. That requires you having a heart. I doubt you do.”

Every muscle in my body tensed. An argument was on the tip of my tongue, but she was right. What the hell business did I have trying to care for a living creature?

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