Page 65 of Christmas with the Cowboy
“You might pop in and see your dad.”
Trenna smiled. Dawn really wanted a peaceful family experience, and basically so did she. There was only one person getting in the way of that, and while it kind of fried her to have to kowtow to his ego, she knew without a doubt that her dad wasn’t going to change. The best she could hope for was a little redirection at the proper moment.
“I’ll do that, then get dressed.”
“The guests are due to start arriving at five.”
Which gave her forty minutes to talk to her dad, then make the excuse that she needed to get dressed.
She tapped on his study door, then opened it to find her quarry at work behind a computer screen.
“Hi,” she said.
“I’m glad you decided to come.”
“Glad to be here.”
He gave her a look as if wondering if she was being sarcastic, but Trenna maintained her pleasant expression. It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“Would you like a drink to take the edge off?” Carter shut off his monitor as she approached his desk.
“I would. Bourbon.”
She watched as he poured into heavy crystal glasses. This was why Dawn had wanted her to come early. Not to help, but to spend time with her dad.
Too little, too late.
The thought flitted through her brain as her dad handed her the glass, which she lifted in a silent toast. It was true. He hadn’t been around much as she’d grown up, having chosen to pursue his business instead. He wasn’t the only man to make that choice, and she’d come to terms with the fact that, despite her hero worship, her dad wasn’t a paternal man. He didn’t connect easily with people, but he expected them to connect to him. And she, his only child, was supposed to be a reflection of him rather than someone forging a life of her own.
He was never going to be a real dad, and while she accepted that, it still brought on a pang of regret.
But she didn’t need a dad-like dad. She’d adapted to her situation. Made the best of it. That was what Hunts did. As she thought about it, she wouldn’t know what to do with a dad-like dad. She provided her own emotional support, and if things got really dicey, she called Jill.
“So all systems are go on your holiday trip?” she asked after taking a sip of bourbon.
“As far as I know. The crew is coming to clean tomorrow, and we’ll be on the Gulf Coast the day after.”
“I admire your stamina.”
He smiled and sipped his drink, making Trenna wonder how long the silence would stretch on if she didn’t break it. She was tempted to see, since she could watch the grandfather clock behind her dad’s chair, but instead she said, “How about those Cats?” referencing the Montana State basketball team.
Carter leaned forward in his chair. “Looking good so far.”
She’d played high school basketball because of her father’s love of the game. She’d been good, too, and it was one of the things they could discuss without uncomfortable silences.
“But their forward—”
Carter waved a hand. “As I understand it, they don’t expect him to miss that many games. Some rehab and he’s good to go, plus, Anderson is a competent replacement.”
“He doesn’t have the height.”
“But he’s quick.”
Trenna nursed her drink as they talked, not wanting a buzzy head. She was comfortable with sports talk, and Dawn would be thrilled that the office door had stayed closed for so long.
“I should help Dawn,” Trenna said after finishing the last drops of bourbon. She reached for her dad’s empty glass. “I’ll take these to the kitchen.”
“Thanks.” He swiveled in his chair and brought up his computer screen again.
