Page 30 of Another Fox Bites the Dust

“I am so impressed with everything you’ve accomplished. I can’t believe how quickly all of this was built.” I gesture to the art building we just exited.

She beams. “It helps that my not-so-silent partner is rich and lets me do nearly anything I want.”

“This is going to be a great place for kids to escape, have fun, and learn skills.”

We get back into the golf cart and she heads us back toward the house.

Not only is there an ice rink, a paintball course, fire pits, and a vast amount of wooded property for the kids to explore, but they have a whole restaurant-grade kitchen for meal preparation that also has stations where the kids will be taught how to cook and prep their own food. They have a garden area for spring, so some of the fruits and veggies can be grown on-site. There is another small building outfitted with a kiln and art supplies for painting, drawing, and sculpting.

“How has Jake been doing?” I ask.

Except for the cut on his hand, he seemed normal and healthy to me when we arrived, but we only spoke briefly and mostly about his injury. Not to mention my eyes were drawn more to the doctor than to the patient.

I swallow and shove the thoughts aside, focusing on Finley’s response.

“Better. I think. He’s been really helpful with work and whatnot around the camp, but I’m not sure if this is what he wants to do with his life.” She worries her bottom lip. “I’m not sure he knows what he wants to do. He’s just sort of aimless.”

“He’s also only . He doesn’t have to know anything yet.”

She huffs out a short laugh. “Taylor is only twenty-six. You never cease giving her all kinds of shit for her wandering ways.”

I wave a hand. “That’s different. Jake has a purpose here and contributes even if it isn’t his ultimate life goal to help you run the camp. Taylor chooses the life of a mooching vagabond.” I don’t want to talk about Taylor, so I change the subject. “Have you asked Jake what he wants to do?”

Her nose wrinkles. “You know how he is. It’s hard to get much out of him. Except, well, there was one thing that was kind of surprising I did need to talk to you about.” She brings the cart to a slow stop and cuts the engine.

If she’s pulling over, it must be serious.

“What is it?”

She shuts off the cart and shifts to face me. “While everyone is here, after Thanksgiving, and after you have things sorted with Luke, we were thinking we can take a day to go through Dad’s room and clear some of it out.”

I stare at her, surprise winging through me. “Really? Everyone is onboard with this? Even Jake?”

She nods. “It was his idea.”

“Wow.” I’m stunned.

We rarely talk about Dad anymore. I can’t believe Jake wants to sort through his things.

Both Dad’s and Aria’s rooms have remained untouched and unused since they passed. Jake can’t even bring himself to say Aria’s name out loud. Maybe he is doing better.

Finley reaches out, putting a hand on my arm. “He’s right that it’s time for us to move on. Past time.”

“What about,” I lower my voice, “Aria’s room?”

She shakes her head. “Not yet. But we need to move forward in some way, for all our sakes. Don’t you think?”

I nod. “Absolutely. Of course, I’ll help however you want me to.”

She squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Mindy.”

ChapterNine

Luke

Mindy will be here in fifteen minutes and I’ve already sweated through two T-shirts.

I tug a fresh shirt over my head, moving the phone back to my ear.

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