Page 82 of Ashes of the Past
“I need to get inside and get Olivia and then go shower. Have a good night,” I tell him quickly before I dart inside Dad’s house.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Jack
“We’re going into town later tonight to hit the bars. You want to join us?” Paulo asks on Saturday afternoon.
“Nah, I have plans already, but thanks.”
“They have anything to do with the lady who showed up last night?” Nick asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“No,” I reply flatly. “Is nothing private around here?”
“A car like that, I thought the insurance adjuster was back, and I was merely trying to save you from a murder charge,” he says teasingly.
“Man, that guy was an ass.”
Nick chuckles and nods. “You’re not going to tell me who was in the car?”
“Not important.”
“Okay, well, I’ve got some cattle to round up, and we’re going to do that. You look like shit and should probably go in and rest,” Nick says as he cocks an eyebrow at me questioningly.
He’s right, but I won’t tell him that. I’m in extra pain and incredibly tired today, but I didn’t sleep much after Savannah showed up.
I like Brynn. I want to see where this goes with her.
Savannah showing up has kind of rocked me. It’s not that I still have feelings for her, but it is pulling up a lot of the things she did to me.
Am I just opening myself up to more heartbreak by allowing Brynn in? Should I just remain single forever?
I blow out a long breath and walk into the house. John and Olivia are sitting at the kitchen table, eating a late lunch.
“Hey, Mr. Jack,” Olivia smiles. “Will you be at Ava’s birthday party tomorrow?”
“I will. I assume you will be, too?”
“Yes, sir. Mom and I are going to go shopping for a bit after she closes the shop to get a present.”
“That will be fun.”
“Saturdays are real busy for her, but Tabby is covering the deliveries for her. Popo is going to drive me into town to meet up with her so we can go before mine and Popo’s card game tonight.”
“What time are you doing that?” I ask, my eyes flitting over to John, who’s half asleep in the chair.
There are subtle hints here and there, but it’s clear that John is struggling with his memory. I don’t want to risk anything happening to him behind the wheel, so it’ll just be better if I don’t let him get there.
“In about an hour.”
“Tell you what, I have to go into town, too. Why don’t I take you with me, and Popo doesn’t have to waste gas?”
“You don’t—” John says quickly.
“I don’t mind. Really. Maybe Olivia can give me some insight on what I should buy my niece.”
“That sounds great.” John smiles gratefully.
An hour later, I glance over at Olivia as she buckles her seatbelt, her small hands pulling the strap snugly across her chest. She swings her feet idly, her sneakers tapping lightly against the floorboard.
