Page 98 of Executive Decision

“I’m sorry,” Daphne said. “You’re doing a good job with almost anything else.”

“Yeah, sure,” Davey sighed. “I don’t have a passion for a dying business.”

“It doesn’t have to be, though. Can you just let me try?”

“I need to fire someone,” Davey sighed. “The board will have to approve?—”

“We’ll soon have enough votes,” Daphne said. “This is how things began. Cal was… he helped connect me to some important people. I know the girls won’t stand in our way. Derrick will do whatever we need him to.”

“Cal was meddling to take me out?”

“That wasn’t my goal,” I said. “My goal was to help you all save the store.”

“And get in Daphne’s pants?”

“That didn’t play into it,” I said. “Not in the least.”

“No, she’s just a fringe benefit?”

“Stop talking about her like she isn’t here!” Danna’s sharp voice vibrated through the entry. “Your sister deserves respect. I amnotpleased as punch about her and Cal running around behind our backs, but he is right about the business. And if he loves Daphne, who am I to judge?”

“They’ve been together for, like, what? A fucking month?”

“Your father and I fell in love in a matter ofdays. It was wild, too soon, and he proposed a month after we met. We just knew.”

“You are crazy,” Daphne giggled. “That’s insane, Mum!”

“It was the best choice I ever made. I got the love of my life and six beautiful children. I wish we’d had more time. Your father wasn’t perfect. And in the end, I think he made some bad choices out of fear. But who is perfect?”

“He was perfect for us,” Daphne whimpered, now in tears. “Fuck. Grief sucks! Why can’t he be here?”

“I know,” I said. “I’m sorry. I miss him every day. I know it’s nothing like the rest of you, but… he is missed.”

* * *

Daphne

“Should we get you up and put you to bed?” Mum asked.

“I need to get off the floor for sure,” I agreed.

“C’mon,” Cal rose to his knees.

“Cal, I will break your back.”

“You most certainly won’t,” Cal chuckled. “I had to carry you around all day yesterday, with Chloe threatening to end me if I dropped you.”

“What exactly happened?” Davey asked.

“She has some bruised ribs,” Cal answered. “From Chloe’s horse doing something known as teleportation.”

“So, down I went. I’ll heal,” I assured.

Cal hoisted me with strong arms. I didn’t think he’d drop me. I trusted he could manage it. I could walk, but I’d rather he babied me a bit. I’d never had a man dote over me. Cal was the first to wait on me hand and foot. Last night, watching him take care of Laurie and me, I felt better than I had in years. Physically, I was a wreck. Emotionally, I was home.

“Where am I headed?” Cal asked.

“Her room—same room as ever,” Mum said.

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