Page 33 of Operation: Unify

“Sure. I can do that. Just so you know, even though I personally don’t think we need to, security has remained on high alert. The guests have been made aware of the risk.”

“Good.” Lacy realized then that Connor probably hadn’t talked to Ferd. She felt comfortable telling Lacy about the security, but Connor wouldn’t want to know her opinions. He’d want facts. “Have you talked to Connor at all?”

Ferd made a noise that could’ve been a snort. “No. Despite his attempt to talk to me right before he left, he hasn’t talked to me since. I think he knows that there was little for me to do. The men handle everything, especially Brendon and Edwyn. I’m not really needed.”

“That’s not true.” Lacy needed her to want to the job because if she was ever able to get back together with Connor, she didn’t want to work for him anymore. She would always be part of Wayside, but as a spouse, she wanted each of them to have their own commitments that didn’t rely on one another. There were other things she could do around the ranch allowing her to be Connor’s wife and not coworker. “You’re needed. I need you.”

“That doesn’t help right now when you’re not here to show me what you do. Dad said I should put up the tree in the dining room and one in the living room, but then I guess I got the trees backwards and it seemed to put everyone in such a foul mood that I had to take them down and move them.”

Lacy could almost laugh at that. Some things in life were simply tradition and shouldn’t be messed with. Even though the guests would never know that the Christmas trees were in the opposite rooms they had always been in, the workers would know. To them, it wouldn’t be quite right. “Don’t take it to heart. That’s something small. I promise, I’ll show you my job when I return. You’ll be perfect for it.”

“What if I don’t want it? What if you decide you don’t want to give it up?”

That would only happen if Connor couldn’t work out his issues. If he wasn’t willing to examine his heart and his ability to bring his problems to her instead of shutting her out, then she’d keep her job or move on, but things couldn’t stay exactly the same. Her heart couldn’t handle another break. “The only way I’d possibly want to keep my position is if things don’t work out between your brother and I.”

“I’ll say it again, he hasn’t contacted me since we talked the day before he left. Can he be trusted? I don’t know. You know him better than I do.”

“I wish you could see him like I do, at least a little. He’s a good man. I just need him to be able to forgive his mother for walking out on him. That’s a big ask.”

“If he hasn’t done it yet, do you think he will? That was twenty years ago.”

Lacy could see Ferd becoming a friend, hopefully a sister-in-law, but at least a friend. “I think there’s always a chance for healing and forgiveness while there’s breath in our lungs. I’m sorry that Peg never took that opportunity. She died angry with Teddy and apparently Connor, too. It’s so sad to me because Connor never thought less of her.”

“Yeah, I know. He still hasn’t gone to talk to my mother, and we’ve been here almost a full month. Mom purposely stays home even when Dad is gone so she doesn’t encounter anyone fromWayside. She’s worried that they’ll dislike her because Connor does.”

Lacy closed her eyes. This was worse than she’d realized. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Connor about it. He can be hard to change. I’m not making excuses for him, that’s not my job. I’m just telling you what might be going on. I know he’d planned to have your brothers over for Christmas so you could meet them. That’s a start. Especially because he hasn’t even talked to his brothers in years.”

“Yeah, then he had to leave and now Dad and I are going to have to meet with them instead of Connor. Dad told me they haven’t spoken to him since they left with Peg. I can see it hurts him, but I don’t know how to make it easier.”

“You don’t. I’ll talk to Connor. Thank you for letting me know what’s going on. If anything happens, please text me when you get a chance. I need to know everyone is alright.”

“Will do. Talk to you soon.” Ferd hung up.

Connor had come to her aid when he’d really been needed at home. He’d chosen her when he was about to mend the gap between himself and his brothers for the first time in twenty years. She strode from the room and headed right for Connor before she could lose her nerve. She came out in the living room and was glad to see he was alone.

“Lacy? Something wrong?” He sat up on the sofa and swung his feet to the floor. “Come and sit.”

She took a seat next to him and gave herself a breath to find the right words. “I just talked to Ferd.”

His brow shot up. “I didn’t realize you two were such good friends.”

“I left her in charge of my job. Of course I was going to call her to check in.” After the first few words, she couched her snippiness. Why should she have to defend calling anyone?

“Understood. What did she have to say? Clearly, something is bothering you.”

She nodded. “It is. She said you haven’t talked to her, and she doesn’t know what to do. About her job, about her brothers, not anything.”

“I didn’t want to leave her holding the bag with them. That wasn’t my plan. You called me and I wasn’t going to leave you sitting in danger. What if I hadn’t come?” He looked her in the eyes. “What if someone had come back after you’d gone to bed and shot out the window, leaving Melinda’s body on the front lawn?”

She shook the image from her mind. “I think you misunderstand me. I’m not accusing you of choosing incorrectly. I’m glad you’re here. I’m worried though because Wayside might be in danger and Ferd doesn’t know how to handle it. She’s your sister.”

“I’m aware.” He frowned. “I put Dad, Brendon and Edwyn in charge for that reason.”

She laid her hand atop his, hoping that the slight touch would let him know she wasn’t there to question his authority or his choices. Wayside was his to run. “I just want you to try to accept Ferd and Gloria. She will always be your half-sister. No matter what. Frankly, she’s wanted to have more to do with you than your full-blood brothers.”

His chin dipped down, hiding his face slightly. “I know. I’m working on it. This isn’t easy for me. They are welcome at Wayside. I suppose I haven’t made them feel that way though.”

Lacy squeezed his hand. “Now you’ve taken the first big step. I just wish we could be certain that you’d be home in time for Christmas. That would be the best outcome.”

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