Page 33 of Tempest

Colin walked in through the back door and grunted. He stalked to the coffeepot and filled a cup. “Morning,” he mumbled.

“Pancakes are ready in a bit,” Ivy said as she poured batter out.

“So, what’s on the agenda today?” Ryan asked.

“I spoke with Lucky last night,” Ivy said, “and we’re hiring SAI. She’s sending Phoebe down, and she’ll run the security analysis for us. We’ll stay here for a couple of days and then, based on what she comes up with, we’ll decide when we should go to Midland and introduce ourselves. I think Garret is right and we should know what kind of mess we’re facing.”

“Inheriting an energy company isn’t often considered a mess,” Ryan said, as he drank his coffee and then stole a piece of bacon off the plate.

Colin came around the island and plopped into a chair next to Ryan. “If Bill Bellows is involved, there’s pretty much guaranteed to be a mess.”

Ryan spared him a look and noticed that he appeared a little worse for wear. The margaritas they had last night had hit him hard.

“I don’t want anything to do with the company,” Colin said. “This is bullshit.”

A loud whack was heard as Ivy slapped the spatula against the counter. “You need to pull your head out, because I’m tired of the pissy attitude. We are fortunate to have this blessing. It doesn’t make up for what our daddy did, but we can make a real difference if we choose to.”

Ryan watched the two siblings face off. It would be interesting to see who gave in first. He had his money on Ivy. There was no way a twenty-one-year-old kid was going to be any match for the likes of her. Something about inheriting the company had Colin twisted up in a way that Ivy wasn’t. It must go back to the sins of the father. Whatever Bill Bellows did to his son wasn’t going to be made up for by a lot of cash.

“Fine,” Colin mumbled.

“Fine,” Ivy responded.

“It’s nice to see peace can be achieved before the pancakes are ready,” Ryan said, as he walked over to refill his mug.

“I’m due in Round Rock in two weeks. They want me to work out with my new team as soon as possible. So let’s get this over with,” Colin said.

“I don’t know how we’re going to get it over with. We have to decide what we want to do…together.”

“You’re the brains in the family with your photographic memory. Why don’t you figure it out and leave me out of it?” Colin replied.

Ryan leaned over and tried to snatch another piece of bacon, but he got his hand slapped. How could she flip pancakes, insult her brother, and see his hand move? “Do you really have a photographic memory?”

“Yes.” She filled the plate with pancakes and put it in his hand. “Now eat before they get cold.” The island was set up with plates and cutlery, so he did as he was told. Sitting next to Colin, he pushed the pancakes in his direction. “You’re still a growing boy, so start eating.” Colin saluted, filled his plate, and started inhaling pancakes and bacon.

Ryan turned toward Ivy and noticed that she was looking at her phone. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, Garret confirmed that he’ll meet with us on Wednesday. He has paperwork and keys to Daddy’s house in Midland. He asked the security company to update the codes on the house in Austin, and they are going to have someone come up today and give us a rundown on how the security system operates.”

“That’ll work,” Ryan said, “because I plan on running to Austin after breakfast to pick up the supplies I need for your security system. I’m going to install one today and then see about your mama’s and Grams’ houses.”

“I’m not here very often. I don’t need a fancy system. Maybe just some new locks.” Pouring syrup over her pancake, she smiled. “I don’t want anything more.”

“Not a choice,” Ryan replied as he dove into his pancakes. “Security measures are not negotiable.”

Colin snorted and continued to inhale the food in front of him.

“I always have a choice,” Ivy replied with measured patience.

“Not when it comes to keeping you safe. You will follow my lead on this and not argue,” Ryan said between bites.

Cutlery clattered against the counter and Ivy whipped around in her chair. “What. Did. You. Say?”

Colin laughed and stood with his plate. “I’m going back to the guest house to finish my breakfast.” He took a couple more pancakes and some bacon and headed out the back door.

“Someone took a shot at you, and as of yesterday, you and your brother are worth a lot of money. I will not take any chances with your life, so I’m asking you to respect my many years of experience and follow my advice. The same way you do what your dentist says, or your plumber, or your hairdresser. This is my area of expertise, and I want you to trust that I know what I’m doing.” He lifted her fork off the counter, handed it back to her, and then started in on his breakfast again.

All that could be heard was her foot moving against the chair as she stared at him. Didn’t bother him in the least. He could outlast her on his worst day, and this was by far not his worst day. He had no give in this area. It wasn’t a negotiation.

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