Anna shook her head. “But... I...”
“I insist,” Joann said. “Now go with Grandma Dot and take your pill while Skylar deals with the luggage.” She looked at her son. “Your father is waiting to speak to you in the den as soon as you get the chance.”
That didn’t sound good. Anna’s breath caught in her throat. Skylar nodded at her and smiled briefly in reassurance. Whatever his father wanted, he seemed to think he could take care of it. She steeled herself against the panic in her heart and followed his grandmother inside.
♥♥♥
Instead of taking their luggage upstairs, Skylar went straight to his father’s den, a large room at the back of the house. As a child, he’d found it intimidating with its dark furnishings and expensive antiques, not to mention the stuffed Grizzly bear in the corner. Being summoned to his father’s den that also served as an office was never a good thing, but Skylar wasn’t a nervous boy anymore. He could stand toe to toe with the old man now.
Skylar wasn’t surprised to find his father positioned behind the massive desk. John knew how to prepare for any coming battle. The man was a master of manipulation, a trait Skylarusedto admire before he grew a conscience. He used to believe it was his job to free anyone no matter what the charges. If they were guilty, he placed the blame squarely on the prosecution for not doing their job right.
John grumbled, “Took you long enough to get here.”
“I had to pick Anna up from her apartment.”
He went to the chair across from his father’s desk, but he changed his mind about sitting at the last second. His hands rested on the back instead. The fact was he needed to try to maintain a position of strength, so he stayed on his feet.
John made a face. “Women. They always overpack and make us wait while they attend to a million things they should have done before it was time to leave.”
Skylar sighed. “Why did you want to see me? Mom made it sound urgent.”
John walked over to his well-stocked wet bar and poured himself a glass of Scotch. He tilted it in Skylar’s direction, silently offering him a drink. Skylar stiffened. His father didn’t know he was a recovering alcoholic. If he got his way, they’d never find out.
After Skylar shook his head to reject the offered alcohol, his father said, “I’ve reconsidered. When I retire, I want you to take my place at head of the table.”
“And what brought this change of heart about?”
“Your engagement, of course.” John sat behind the desk. “Why didn’t you tell me about Anna when I ripped into you the other night?”
“Anna made it clear she didn’t want anyone to know until she secured a partnership on her own. I respected her wishes.”
“Well, I am glad she was promoted then for both our sakes. Your mother wanted my head on a platter for not offering you the senior position.” His father glowered at him. “She worries about you. Sometimes she can’t sleep. Hopefully, that will stop now that you’re settling down.”
A dart hit him square in the heart. He had worried his mother to the extent it was impacting her health. To top it off he was deceiving them both. “Why didn’t you tell me that she was having trouble sleeping? I would have made an effort to put her mind at ease.”
“Your mother made me swear not to say a word. She didn’t wantyouto worry.”
Skylar clenched his jaw. Maybe if his family would worry more about themselves than about him, they’d have time to live their own lives. But knowing his mother’s health could be negatively affected by his questionable choices made him reconsider his plans. Should he tell them the truth?
John added, “The position is yours if you want it.”
The job offer caused him to relax. His stomach muscles unclenched, and he sat on the couch along the wall. Far enough away from the desk to keep him from feeling the weight of his father’s upper-hand. Once he took the reins, his mother would feel better. They all would.
“I want it,” Skylar said.
John finished his drink. Then he busied his hands with mundane tasks. He shuffled some papers and checked what appeared to be his daily planner. For some reason, he seemed to be avoiding looking Skylar’s way.
“What’s up, Dad?”
John groaned. “I have a small confession to make.”
“Well?”
“Back when I put you and Anna on the Belcher case, I may have embellished a few things.”
Skylar stiffened, and the plush cushions beneath him transformed into stone. Uncomfortable, he leaned forward. “Embellished how?”
John took a moment to clear his throat. “To be frank, I thought the two of you would make a great couple. She is exactly the kind of woman you need in your life. So I tried to stir the pot.”