Page 17 of Wolfish Heart
When I reach the first data collection spot I check the camera and audio feeds. The birds have been chirping nonstop all day, and the webcam footage looks just fine. I use a cloth to wipe the lens and dust off the audio inputs.
After logging in to our personalized recordkeeping chart, I throw the truck back into gear, then start driving to the next point, wondering if I should stop for a coffee on the way.
I’ve barely made it to the main road when my phone rings. “Hey, Mom. How are you doing?”
“Kaden! How could you be dating someone and not even tell me?”
I should have known this was coming. Mom has been gently suggesting that my brothers and I start dating soon. And by gently, I mean, not very.
“It’s…pretty early, Mom. There’s no huge announcement to be made yet.”
“You’ve been parading her around town at every restaurant. That sounds like an announcement to me.”
“Mom, I met a girl and we’ve had dinner a few times. That doesn’t feel announcement-worthy to me.”
“She’s been having work done on your house!” Mom practically squeals. “Kai was talking to Clark, and he mentioned it. Now, if she’s moved in and is renovating the place already, I really think that I should be allowed to meet her. Has she met your brothers yet?”
“Not yet.” I pinch the bridge of my nose as I try to hold back an exasperated sigh. “Look, she’s a bit quiet. I don’t want her overwhelmed by the entire family at once, okay? You’ll all meet her soon. I promise.”
“Will you at least invite her to Sunday dinner this weekend?”
“That depends. Is it just going to be you and Dad, or the entire family?”
There’s a long pause. “I’m…not sure yet.”
“Just give me a couple of weeks, okay, Mom?” I decide to give her a few details so she can feel better informed than the rest of the town. “Zoe is a lovely young woman. Right now, she’s shooting videos for her mom’s specialty graphic design training courses. She’s also got a great eye for matching different kinds of wood: maybe you two can talk about your furniture refinishing thing.”
That’s assuming Mom is still into that by the time they meet. Mom goes through hobbies like some people go through tissues in allergy season.
“Oh, that would be lovely! Fine, I’ll wait for you two to settle in before I force a dinner invitation down your throat. Just – know that it’s coming.”
“Great. Looking forward to it.”
“You know, if you boys just went ahead and sold that company of yours, you’d have so much more time to visit your father and me. Live a little more, you know, relax and enjoy?—”
“We’re not selling.”
“Marylou said she heard Wolfe Security was worth a fortune these days. You could sell it now while the market is good, or up, or whatever they say?—”
“Gotta go. Bye, Mom.”
As I visit the next few stops, checking and cleaning the equipment, I start hoping that Mom isn’t going to make some excuse to drop by the house. Zoe’s a bit shy and she’s still finding her place here. An interrogation by my mother is not going to help.
I get home and pull into the driveway to see Kingston walking from his truck to the front door. As I jump out of the truck, he whips his head around to look at me.
“Wait. If you’re here, who’s inside?” he asks. “I swear I just saw a shadow go past your kitchen window.” Before I can answer, he grins. “Whoa, has that girl moved in already?”
“She hasn’t moved in, she’s just using my office.” I point to his truck and snap my fingers twice. “Out.”
“What, I can’t even meet her?”
Before I can tell him that I’d rather he wait, the front door opens. “Hey,” Zoe calls out. “I heard voices.”
“I’m so sorry, baby. Did we interrupt your video shoot?”
“Not at all. I was making coffee.”
My brother rushes over to extend his hand. “I’m Kingston. The second brother in line.”
