Page 11 of Always Be True: Tino
Tino sympathized, especially knowing the kind of missions Jack’s unit in the Special Forces had faced on a regular basis. The last one had ended Jack’s career when he shattered his knee on a night jump. “Yeah, well, I have a few of those moments myself. Last week, I almost swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a cardboard box sitting on the side of the road.”
“Been there, done that.” Jack then took charge of the cart and marched down the aisle. “I want to pick up a new saw blade while we’re here.”
Evidently the moment for sharing had passed, which came as a relief. Both brothers knew the transition back to civilian life took time and that hitting a few speed bumps along the way was to be expected. That didn’t mean Tino wanted to stand there and broadcast their problems in public. Or in private, for that matter. Neither of them was much for the touchy-feely stuff. It was enough to know that his brother knew and understood the burden of memories they both carried.
As they walked along, he decided to throw Jack a few crumbs, something he could take back to their mother to show that he’d done his duty as the big brother. “I thought one of these days I might stop by the career center at one of the community colleges to see what kind of placement or aptitude testing they offer.”
Jack stopped to study the array of saw blades. “Think any of the online classes you’ve already taken will transfer?”
“I hope so, but I would guess it will depend on what program I’d be applying for. Regardless, I’ll probably start off with a few general education classes if I decide to enroll.”
“Mom would be happy to see at least one of her sons go to college.” Jack took one of the blades off the rack and added it to the other items in the cart. “In fact, Caitlyn suggested I should see if they offer classes on running a small business. For sure I’ll need to upgrade the software we’re using when I get to the point where I need to hire some permanent help.”
“So you’re planning on sticking with the business long term?”
Because none of the three brothers had been particularly happy when they’d found out at the reading of Joe’s will that he’d left them equal shares in the family business. As the only one of them already out of the military, Jack had reluctantly moved back home to finish up the remaining jobs that their father had already started. Neither Tino nor Mikhail had thought he’d keep the business going beyond that, despite knowing it would’ve disappointed their mother. Of course, no one—least of all Jack—had expected him to take in a foster son and then fall in love with the tutor he’d hired to help the kid get caught up with his school subjects.
In an incredibly short amount of time, Jack had formed a tight-knit family with Caitlyn and Ricky. They’d each been through some pretty tough times, but those experiences seemed to make them appreciate what they’d found together even more. Tino wouldn’t mind a little of that for himself.
Which had him thinking about a certain petite blonde again. After his conversation with his mother, he’d been tempted to look up Natalie’s name online to see what he could learn about her and her background. So far, he’d resisted the urge; it felt like that would be cheating. Maybe she had assumed he would’ve recognized her name and her connection to the Cyrus Waines Foundation. However, from watching her in action Saturday, he suspected that Natalie preferred to downplay all of that and be treated as just one of the gang rather than as the person with the big checkbook.
Jack nudged him with the front of the cart. “Earth to Tino, come in, please.”
Damn, how long had he been lost in his own little world this time? “Sorry. Did you want something?”
“Actually, I asked if there was anything you needed before we check out.” Jack gave him a considering look. “Now I’m wondering if your head’s in the game today enough for me to trust you to run power tools.”
Tino wanted to tell him to fuck off, but he couldn’t blame Jack for being concerned. Running an electric saw was no time to be thinking about anything—or anyone—else other than the job at hand. “I’ll be fine.”
Then he gave Jack a light tap on the arm. “But an extra shot of caffeine wouldn’t hurt, so what do you say to picking up a second round on the way?”
Naturally, his brother returned the punch with just enough interest to sting. Not that Tino would give in to the urge to rub the spot. “Fine, but you’re buying.”
No surprise there. “Of course. And because I’m feeling generous, I’ll throw in a couple of breakfast sandwiches.”
“It’s a deal.” Jack pulled out his credit card and handed it to the clerk. “And about Mom. How about I tell her that you are making plans, but you’d rather not talk about them until you’ve got all the details figured out?”
Not bad. That should reassure her long enough to buy him some breathing room. “Thanks. I owe you.”
Jack grinned. “So, does that mean you’re also buying lunch today?”
God, brothers were the biggest pains in the ass. His were, anyway. On the other hand, there was no one else he’d rather have at his back. After picking up their bags, he headed for the door. “I’ll buy, but I get to pick where we’re going.”
Another one of those love-you-brother punches was Jack’s only response.
—
Tuesday was always Natalie’s favorite day of the week. She might officially be in charge of the foundation these days, but that didn’t mean the man it was named after and who funded its coffers was no longer involved. No matter how busy her schedule was, she always set aside one morning a week to spend with her favorite relative.
As always, her grandfather’s housekeeper met Natalie in the foyer. “Good morning. How is the old grouch this morning? As charming as ever?”
Esther’s laugh echoed off the marble walls and floor in the foyer. “I’m pretty sure they left the word ‘charming’ out of your grandfather’s dictionary. He certainly has no idea of what it means. To answer your question, though, he’s been a real bear to be around for the past few days.”
Natalie grinned. “What set him off this time?”
“What didn’t?” Esther held up her fingers and counted off the world’s most recent transgressions. “His team lost. The stock market took a serious dip. I was three minutes late with his coffee. Oh, yes, and that blasted dog has been sneaking under the fence again. This time it dug up one of the rosebushes. The gardener was able to salvage it, but it will need time to recover. I’m talking about the bush, by the way, not the dog.”
That last event was probably the one that put her grandfather over the top. He and the neighbor’s beagle had been waging war for two years now. She would’ve worried more about the situation if Esther hadn’t let her in on a little secret a few months ago. Evidently Cyrus had her add salmon-jerky doggy treats to the shopping list on a regular basis. No wonder Digger kept sneaking over to visit if Cyrus was slipping him salmon when no one was looking.
