Page 42 of Gideon's Gratitude

Another lit intersection. Method to the madness of driving in the pitch black. Not even a moon overhead. “Three bedrooms, fivebathrooms, chef’s kitchen, media room, study, open living space.” Easy to rattle off the specs.

“Three bedrooms?” A snicker. “How you going to fit that multitude of relatives into three bedrooms?”

“Well, I don’t intend to. I’m building this location to get away from my family.”

“That sounds rude.”

“I made the mistake of providing a key to Cherry when my wife left. What I did not anticipate was that she’d replicate it and give one to each of my family members. As well as the alarm code. I’ve seriously considered changing it.”

“They care.” A soft tone. Almost too hard to hear.

“They’re nosy. I never know who will be waiting for me when I return from the office. Well, not Chelsea, given she’s under house arrest. And Chad respects my space. As for the rest of them…” I sighed. “I’m rarely alone.”

“That sounds great. That you have people in your life who want to make sure you’re all right.”

Judging by what I’d gleaned, he had no one. That thought brought an ache to my chest. “We should, you know, do something.”

“Huh?”

“Well, like plan for you to come over. At least once the place is finished. Or even before. I could give you a tour.” A plan coalesced in my mind.

“Look, Archer, this evening was nice. I had fun, even. At certain moments, anyway. The look on your face when you saw the price of a package of socks will make me laugh for days to come.” He paused. “But we’re not friends. I don’t fit into your world. Just like you don’t fit into mine.”

“That’s pretentious of you. Snobby, even.”

“No, it’s a reality. I live on my own for a very good reason.”

“Self-flagellation?” Anger rose within me, and my cheeks heated. “I don’t believe you want to be left alone. I believe you want people in your life. Humans are social creatures. For all my wife’s faults—and maybe I’m making too much of them—I enjoyed knowing I wasn’t alone. Of having someone with whom to converse.”

“Maybe I don’t want those things. Maybe I prefer to be a hermit.”

“And yet you enjoyed your interactions with Sarabeth.”

He grunted.

Point for me.That I noticed was significant.

“I can take people in small doses. I admit tonight was enjoyable. You’re good company.”

“So why can’t we plan for you to visit me? Is it really such a horrible prospect?”

A heartfelt sigh. “We’re up on the left.”

I stopped at the mailbox before mine and executed the turn. Gideon’s home was also behind a line of trees, but it soon came into view. I pulled up to the garage and put the SUV in Park.

“Well, it’s been nice. Thank you for dinner.”

“That’s it?” Somehow, I expected more. I flicked on the overhead light.

He winced.

I shut it off.

“You need to get to your hotel.”

Certainly, but I didn’t want to be alone. For all my fussing over my family, and their propensity to show up at inopportune moments, I didn’talwayswant to be alone. Jean-Michel’s faithful companionship was appreciated, but the man was in paid employment. Well compensated, obviously, but not a friend. “You’re correct. I need to get to my hotel. And likely you need to go to bed.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I have to run Lucky out first.”

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