Page 60 of The Wedding Toast
He stepped back while Antonio said goodnight to Trick.They’d decided that while Elliott and Ollie seemed to want to stick around for a while, the two of them would head out together.
When they were back out on the sidewalk, Trick grasped his shoulder.“Antonio didn’t mean anything, you know – he just engages his mouth before his brain sometimes.”
Reaves laughed at that.“I know.I’m not mad at him or anything.But … he kind of has a point; my dad’s not going to be around forever.And …” he sighed.“All he’s ever wanted is to know that he’ll leave a legacy – that the wines, the House of St.James will live on.”
Trick gave him a wry smile.“I think you’ll find that all he ever really wanted was for his son to be happy.He’s encouraged and supported your career, Reaves.If all he cared about were the wines …
“Shit, sorry.I know I shouldn’t say it that way.But what’s important to him …”
Trick cocked an eyebrow.
Reaves sighed.“You’re right.I’m important to him.He’s always supported me.It’s about time I started doing more to support him, isn’t it?”
Trick chuckled.“I didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t need to.Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.Do you need a ride?”
“I’m parked on the next block.”
Trick pointed down a side street.“I’m down there.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“You will.Although probably not until the evening.I think the way the schedule worked out, we’ll be in the air whenever you’re on the ground.”
“Are you going to the rehearsal dinner?”
“We are.”
“We’ll see you there then.”
Reaves checked the fuel gauge as he approached the gas station near his apartment.He should stop and fill up now so that he wouldn’t have to do it for the rest of the weekend.
There was only one other vehicle at the pumps – a dusty white Suburban – and he pulled up alongside it.As he unhooked the nozzle from the pump, he heard a faint thumping sound and looked around, wondering if he was hearing things.
The next thing he knew, the rear passenger window lowered on the Suburban and a little head poked out and yelled, “Prince Daddy!”
He laughed when he recognized Zia.“Well, hey there, little buddy.What are you up to?”He frowned and checked his watch.It was late for the kid to be out and about.
She grinned and beckoned him over.“Mom had one of her headaches and no pills.”
Reaves looked around.“Is she okay?”
Zia nodded, looking a little more subdued.“She’ll be fine, she says.She just needs to take some pills to make it stop.”
Reaves felt bad.He didn’t know Alara yet – he hadn’t made the time to go down to the garage on the estate where she was working to introduce himself.He did know that she was all by herself with Zia though.She was working on the arch all day every day, and from what he understood, the two of them were living in a camper that Alara was towing on her way to Oregon.
He glanced toward the store.“Has she been in there a long time?”
Zia raised her shoulders all the way up to her ears before letting them fall.“I don’t know.”
“Wait there, okay?I’m going to go …”
He felt foolish when a woman came out of the store and eyed him suspiciously.She had to be Alara.She looked like Zia, only older and wiser.Her hair was lighter, but almost as curly.Some of it fell around her shoulders and some of it was pinned up.The overall effect was messy and … beautiful.
“Mommy!”Zia called.“Look, it’s Prince Daddy.”
