Page 2 of Harvey

His parents had discovered that he had a natural intelligence that had astounded them and made them incredibly proud. He was excellent at figures and had a swift head that could grasp anything. He could have been a banker or a lawyer but had chosen to work on the various sites for which they were responsible.

Nothing his parents said had made a difference, and they had dented his resolve and left him to his own devices. He had also moved out of the manor and was living in a trailer on the grounds because he wanted to come and go as he pleased. He had bluntly told his parents that he was not uncomfortable with a vast amount of wealth.

He was also thirty-two and showed no signs of settling down. His looks, cynicism, and wealth made him a magnet for women, and his reputation made his parents desperate for him to settle down and give them grandchildren.

After finishing the meal, he handed Silas the container and went to the small fridge to take out a six-pack.

“Beer?” He asked, one thick brow lifted in amusement.

“Just one, thanks.”

Tossing the can to him, he straddled a chair from the kitchen. “How is the old man?”

“You will find that out for yourself if you bother to come to the house,” Silas told him. “They miss you, Harv.”

“I was there two weeks ago. The job has been pressuring. We are two months behind schedule, and the prospective residents are crying breach of contract. It does not matter a damn to them that we have been experiencing a hell of a lot of bad weather.

Too much rain, and with fall already here, it’s as cold as bitch.” He grinned at his brother’s wince at his constant use of profanities. “You should be accustomed to my way of speaking.”

“You would think that after knowing you for so many years, one would think that.”

“So, how is he?”

“The cough is still there, but Jeff said it was nothing to worry about. They want you over for Sunday dinner.”

“If I am now working- “

“Mom said to tell you that’s not negotiable.”

He swore ripe and loudly, chugging down beer, the irritation ripe on his handsome face.

“I have a date.”

“Break it,” Silas said with steely determination as he sipped his beer. “Family happens to be more important than some tail you are chasing.”

Harvey stared at him before he burst out laughing. “There is hope for you yet.”

His brother inclined his head, a smile tugging at his lips. “I have learned from the best.”

Finishing the beer, he rose and tossed the can into the recycle bin. “They are not the only ones who miss you, Harv. I got used to popping into your room and just chatting.”

“There is such a thing as the telephone.” He walked his brother out. “And I live on the damn property.”

“You don’t answer your phone and never return missed calls. Not to mention the fact that you are never home. I was watching for your jeep from my window, and that’s how I realized you were home.”

Harvey followed him along the winding path that led towards the pool and the arbor with the bowers of flowers that were their mother’s pride and joy.

Blackwood Manor was a lovely two-story mansion that sat on several hundred acres of land and boasted a basketball court, a tennis court, and two pools. Harvey took advantage of the pool and spent time swimming whenever the weather permitted.

“This is where we part ways.” He stopped at the lake and felt the chill permeating the thin sweater he had donned before leaving home.

“I have your promise that you will be there Sunday?” Silas was determined to get his word and knew that his parents would ask him first whether he was successful.

“You are like a nagging wife,” Harvey growled.

“Your word, Harv.”

“Dammit, yes. Now go before I change my mind.”

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