"She's busy preparing for a show." When his father looked at him expectantly, Everett added, "It's tomorrow evening. I'll have Jacob send you an invitation."
"Wonderful."
His father finished his drink and stood. Everett did as well, walking the man to the door. On the way, his father paused and stared at the mantel.
"That's new."
Everett stiffened. "It was my Christmas present from Isabel."
"I see."
"I can see if she would paint another if you like," he offered, unwilling to give up the gift that meant so much to him.
His father ran a hand over his face, never taking his gaze off the portrait.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that."
Seconds more passed with his father staring at the photo before James yanked open the door and left.
Everett's gaze met Jacob's and he made the request for the invitation.
That done, his father moved toward the elevator while Everett reentered his office, his mood darkened by his father's eighth failed attempt to find happiness. Everett knew his father's choices were highly to blame, but it was another notch on the divorce belt.
"Sir? Tomas has the car out front whenever you're ready," Jacob said. He held out a packet. "And these just arrived for you from your attorney."
Everett took the envelope and opened it on his way back into his office. The paperwork was short and straightforward, requiring only signatures and a few initials.
He glared at the papers, stomach knotted. This wasn't how he wanted to start the new year.
But how could he convince her to stay?
"So,have they put a stop on the check?" Mary Elizabeth asked while pouring Tessa a cup of tea.
"Yes, it's taken care of." As always, mortification filled her when she thought of how close she'd been to losing her savings to a scam artist. Howstupidshe'd been.
"Come on, Tessa. Everyone makes mistakes. You have to forgive yourself."
"I can't," she whispered, stirring sugar into her tea. "I can't believe I allowed myself to be taken in by him. I mean, you were right. He was so young. Why would any man that young be interested in an old woman except for money?"
"Stop. You might have been older than him, but he targeted you because you're beautiful and successful."
"And stupid," she muttered again.
"Okay, that's it. You have five more minutes to rant about this before you're going to suck it up, drop it, and not focus on it anymore. It happened. You've learned a valuable lesson. Now let's move on."
Five minutes to vent over something that was sixty-three years in the making? She should've known better! "I just hate how easy it was for him to get to me."
"Con men are smooth talkers. They know how to groom you, Tessa. You aren't the first woman to be taken in by them and you won't be the last."
"At least he's in jail." Bruce’s buddies on the force had found Kirk trying to blend in with the crowd on the boardwalk. "Well, I'm done. I give up. I've had my share of men and marriage and…no more. Ever."
"Uh-huh," Mary Elizabeth said, a doubting look on her face. "Just give it time and stop trying to make it happen. When you stop forcing things…that's when you'll meet someone."
The phone rang and Mary Elizabeth picked it up. "Hello? Oh, Everett. How are you?"
Mary Elizabeth met Tessa's gaze, eyes widening and mouth turning into a small O of surprise.
"I see. Yes, of course. Thank you for calling... Yes, yes, I'll be sure to let them know. Tomorrow morning, ten o'clock," she said before listening again and then murmuring goodbye.