Page 11 of An Engagement for Erica

He wasn’t doing it for guidance, but wouldn’t say that and hurt his grandfather’s pride or ego.

TC Nelay had started this business from the ground up. His grandfather wasn’t any happier that his only son could have destroyed it over the past decade.

His grandfather needed to be able to retire. He was freaking eighty-four years old and shouldn’t be stressing about these things.

Tucker knew he’d be able to turn it around, but the question was how long it was going to take.

“I’m sure he’s thrilled you are so close by,” his mother said. “Maybe I’ll consider coming back for the summers. It’s getting to be too hot here for me this time of year.”

“I’ve got a guest house at the place I put an offer in on,” he said.

“Why didn’t you say that part either?” his mother asked, laughing.

“Because maybe Norman doesn’t want to come up here for more than a quick visit. I don’t even know if I’ll get it or not. If it’s not something you think you’ll use or want, then I can rent it out.”

“As if you need the money,” his mother said. “And you won’t want some stranger living on the property either.”

“It’s not about money,” he said. “I’m being practical. I’ll know more tomorrow. If I get it, it might be too small for you anyway. It’s just one bed and bath with a galley kitchen and a living room.”

“The perfect spot for a nanny someday.”

He rolled his eyes. “Please. I don’t even have a woman in my life and you’re talking about kids.”

“I’m not getting any younger,” his mother said. “It’s not like I’m asking you to get married. People have kids all the time now without being married.”

“Now I know you’re joking,” he said. “I heard Norman laughing.”

His mother’s boyfriend came into the picture. “She’s not joking, Tucker. But we know you’d never do it. It’d break your grandfather’s heart,” Norman said.

“It would,” he said. “That’s how Mom ended up married to begin with.”

His mother and father had dated for a few months. His mother ended up pregnant and his grandfather, being old school, pushed for the marriage.

“I don’t regret more than a few years of it,” his mother said, laughing.

“Glad it’s only a few years,” he said.

“You’re smiling now when you weren’t earlier on this call,” his mother said. “See, I’m good for something.”

“You’re good for a lot of things,” Norman said. “And I’ll let you get back to your call with your son.”

“Bye, Norman,” Tucker said and ate some more of his dinner. He was starving and trying not to shovel it in. The last thing he’d eaten was at noon. He’d asked Erica if she wanted to order lunch so they could go over more and keep her on her timeline.

He wasn’t sure if he was more surprised she’d said yes or that she’d eaten a salad with grains on it.

Last time they’d eaten together, she had coffee and a deli sandwich. She always had a coffee in her hand and something handheld to eat in the other.

If there was anyone that was in a hurry in their life going from one thing to the next and multi-tasking it was Erica James.

It was nice to see that a water bottle and a healthy salad might be some of the changes she’d made.

Not that he should be judging, but he did like her and it had bothered him that she’d been ill.

The nightmare comments weren’t a joke either, but he didn’t want her to feel bad about that.

“If you don’t slow down with your food you’re going to choke and all I can do from here is call for help.”

He took a smaller bite the next time and chewed, then swallowed it. “Better?” he asked.

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