Page 65 of Tempting Frey
“We didn’t technically lie,” Oliver said.
Chickie shot his son a glare, but Oliver looked unrepentant. He stood and stretched his arms above his head.
“Pa, do you have any stew left? I’m starving.”
“Sure. It’s even better when it gets to rest overnight. I’ll heat it up.”
“Wonderful. Let’s have lunch.”
Phil asked us to set the table outside in the backyard since the weather was sunny and their kitchen was so small.
I helped Chickie unfold the chairs and move the table under the sprawling maple tree in the middle of their lawn so we’d get some shade. He paused, leaning on one of the chairs, eyeing me. I expected him to say something, but he seemed to be waiting for me to do the same.
“I’m sorry, man,” I began. “You weren’t supposed to find out like that.”
Chickie shrugged and straightened, glancing around his garden.
“I was about to give you a speech. You know… how I’m going to keep an eye on you and make sure you treat my boy like he deserves, or else.”
I rocked on my heels. “Go for it.”
“Nah. When I think about it, I’m not worried about Ollie in this scenario.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
My friend chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re thanking me now. But, dude, you’re mated to my Ollie. I have four sons, and three of them are bear alphas, but if you asked me which one of my kids is the strongest, the answer would always be Oliver. Good luck to you, my friend, because that boy is a menace and a half. He’ll make you go prematurely gray.”
I grinned at the picture Chickie painted.
“He’s amazing,” I said. “I’m more in awe of him every day.”
Chickie slapped my shoulder. “I hate surprises. But this one turned out to be okay.”
18
OLIVER
My dad was grumpy during lunch, but he just needed time to mull everything over.
“And who bought the land, huh?” he asked as he put his fork down. “Who were the schmucks up there?”
I glanced at Teddy, who gave me a subtle nod. I couldn’t keep this from Dad, either. “Laurel Riley bought it. The men were his staff.”
“The singer? Why?”
“He likes it here. But please, keep it under wraps. Calvin wasn’t supposed to tell me, and I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, and if this continues, half of Beauville will know before we have a chance to talk to Mr. Riley.”
Dad squinted. “And he’s not gonna build a big-ass hotel or something?”
“No. He just wants privacy.”
“Huh.”
He rose, stacked his and my pa’s plates on top of each other, and adjusted his belt.
“I need to go back to work.” He bent down to kiss the top of my pa’s head and gave Teddy and me a curt nod.
Then he was gone. The cruiser started only a few seconds later, and we sat in silence until the rumble faded down the hill.
