Page 46 of Thanksgiving with Three Brothers

ETHAN

Of all the shitty timing.

“I leave tomorrow for the conference,” I told Leo grimly. “I’m reluctant to leave town with things the way they are.”

“You mean because the stalker got into Madison’s shop, and you don’t want to tell Noah because he’ll feel even guiltier.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve already talked to a private sector security firm about protecting the two of them until this woman is in jail. The point is, I don’t want to be at a distance if anything happens.”

“I’ll give you credit for putting it that way instead of saying you needed to be in town to protect us.”

“I’m an architect, Leo,” I said, “I realize I’m not an MMA pro. I can make phone calls and set up security details and stay informed about the situation. I can ask Judy to put pressure on the DA about resolving this. I didn’t plan to stockpile rocket launchers and make noise about how she should come and get us.”

“That’s good to know,” Leo said. “You have to go. You’re giving the keynote. You were excited about it and made us watch the whole slide deck twice.”

“So I heard from Judy, she said they’re calling it her first offense and she’ll pay a fine and get a warning not to go near us again. The cops aren’t going to arrest her, Leo.”

“Fuck.”

“My words exactly,” I grunted.

“I’ll hang out at the shop if you want, keep an eye out.”

“I wasn’t asking you to watch them. I wanted your opinion on going.”

“You got my opinion. You should go.”

“Okay,” I said.

I confirmed my travel arrangements and did an online check-in for my flight. Then I went to talk to Noah while Madison showered. He agreed with Leo but with a side of guilt that I had to worry about it.

“I’m going to ask her to come with me. Maybe she’d like the weekend away and she’d be out of sight around here.”

“Out of danger, you mean,” he said, “she’s got a brunch on Sunday. She won’t go.”

“That was before she found out Olivia was the new hire. Maybe she’d like to distance herself from the shop for a few days.”

“Good luck,” he said.

When Madison emerged in her robe, I asked her to have a seat.

“Okay, but I’m fine. I’m disappointed that she fooled me, but it’s good that we figured it out before she could sabotage the new oven or something just to get back at me for dating Noah. It’s sweet of you all to check up on me, but I’m not upset.”

“I wasn’t being sweet,” I admitted, “I’m giving a speech at a conference in Chicago this weekend. I wanted to invite you to come along. The suite’s comped because I’m giving the keynote and it’s a nice place. You could go to the spa, see the sights, have a weekend away.” I said.

“No thank you,” she said, “It sounds like a fun weekend, but I have a big order for a bridal shower on Sunday. I can’t miss it. The commission on it is huge, and I gave my word that I’d do it.”

“Okay. If you change your mind, let me know,” I said. Madison took my hand and held it, her pretty eyes serious on mine.

“We’ll be okay here. You can stop worrying. I know you give Noah crap for blaming himself, but you think you have to carry the weight of the world, too.”

“What about me?” Leo said.

“You’re good with electrical stuff,” she quipped, and Noah and I howled with laughter.

“She roasted you. We’re the deep thinkers with existential dilemmas. You change the lightbulbs.” Noah said.

“When do you leave?” she asked.

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