Page 58 of Falling Again
“Anthony,” his father said in greeting. “Everything okay at the house?”
Anthony hesitated to answer, only because he didn’t know how to start. He really should have planned this conversation more thoroughly, but he was so anxious he wasn’t thinking clearly. “Uh, hi. Everything is fine.”
A moment passed before Steven asked, “So what can I do for you? Did you find the boxes in the shed?”
Scratching the back of his neck, Anthony stifled a groan. Not only had they not found the boxes, but they hadn’t even made it out back to the shed. “No. And that’s why I’m calling.” Taking the rip-it-off-like-a-Band-Aid approach, Anthony blurted it all out. “Dad, we’d like to buy the lake house.”
“What? Why?” Steven asked, clearly caught off guard. “You haven’t been out there since Otis was born.”
“I know, and that’s part of the reason we want to buy the house. It has been wonderful getting away for a few days, and the thought of not coming back here with the kids—” He was rambling, and Anthony knew his father wouldn’t tolerate it. “It’s just that we needed this break, and I know the house had a lot to do with it. With how we’re feeling...” He trailed off again, hating that the self-assured mayor of Buckeye Falls seemed to still be on vacation.
“What are you saying, son?”
“I’m saying I want to buy the house. Do you need to make a huge profit on it? I’m happy to start making payments when we’re back home.” There was a pause so long, Anthony had to pull back the phone to make sure his father was still connected. “Dad?”
Steven’s voice sounded rusty as he cleared his throat. “Your mother and I don’t need to make a profit. It seemed foolish to keep a house that no one used anymore. We haven’t been able to get family vacations on the books for far too long, and your mother wants to do more traveling outside Ohio.”
This wasn’t a flat-out refusal, so Anthony plowed on. “So does that mean you’ll consider selling to us?
With a snort, Steven said, “You know me. I’ll consider anything if it makes financial sense.” He waited a moment before continuing. “So you haven’t packed up anything yet?”
“No.” Anthony kept his answer simple.
“I hesitate to ask, but what have you been doing all week?”
Despite knowing his father couldn’t see him, his cheeks flamed with embarrassment. Surely it was conceivable that he and Natalie would have been up to marital activities that didn’t require a play-by-play recap. Not that Anthony didn’t plan to relive every moment in private later.
Deciding that vague honesty was best in this particular conversation, Anthony said, “We’ve been talking and enjoying our time without distractions. I can’t see us giving this place up, Dad.”
“Then let me talk to your mother and we’ll discuss as a group when you both return. Since you’re no longer packing, are you coming home early?”
Anthony had to stifle a snort. “Uh, no. I think we’re planning on enjoying ourselves for a few more days. Especially since Alice seems to be doing well with the kids.”
With a reluctant sigh, his father agreed. “She certainly is enjoying herself, isn’t she? I won’t lie, though. I’m surprised she hasn’t called in your mother to beg for help. Last night when Donna stopped by, she said the kids were already asleep and Alice was quietly reading a book. Can you believe it?”
Frankly, no, he couldn’t believe it. But Anthony wasn’t about to sell his sister up the river. “Yeah, I can. When Alice called us here she seemed different.”
“Different with Alice can be scary,” Steven lamented.
“Or it could be the beginning of something good,” Anthony suggested, hoping against hope that he was right. Alice deserved a break; a chance to find her own way.
“Look, son. I need to go for a tee-time with Ernie McDowell. Is there anything else you need? We can talk about the house when you’re back.”
Anthony couldn’t believe his ears. “So you’re saying you’ll consider it?”
“I’m saying I’ll consider it. Enjoy the rest of your visit.” And with that, he disconnected and left Anthony alone with a racing heart and lopsided grin.
Behind him, Natalie slinked an arm around his waist and kissed his neck. Her lemony shampoo smelled like summertime lemonade and Anthony melted against her. “Good call?” she asked, her lips delicately traced a path down his neck.
“Good call,” he gasped as Natalie nibbled his earlobe.
“Good. Then I don’t feel bad interrupting.”
Anthony spun around to find his lovely wife in a creamy linen dress that hugged her curves and highlighted her gorgeous breasts. His fingers ached with the need to touch her, but he ran a hand through his hair instead. “Mind if I shower quick?”
“Absolutely. I thought I’d make us some lunch to take to the dock. Then you can tell me about your call with your father?”
Anthony pulled her close and kissed her gently before stepping back. “That’s a great idea.” With a spring in his step, Anthony headed to the shower.
