A bit later, she gave Jed a call, and he answered on the first ring as expected. Jed got up with the sunrise and went for a walk every morning. Then he liked to have a cup of coffee and read the morning paper when the house was quiet.
“Hi, Dad.” Listening to Byron describe his despicable father made Jane realize she’d taken hers for granted.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Thank the Lord.” He sighed. “How are you holdin’ up, honey?”
“I’m alive and kicking.” It wasn’t saying much for her situation, but it was one bright spot.
“That’s what counts.”
“Is it?”
“Durin’ the darker times in my life, wakin’ up alive was all I could ask for. I figured long as I got to see another dawn, I had something to look forward to…until things got better, and they always do. Let me prove it to you. Go to the window and look at the sun climbin’ in the sky.”
Jane peeled the curtains back. As always, her father was right. Something about the radiant golden horizon gave her courage.
“Thanks, Dad, I needed some perspective this morning.”
“Anytime.”
“Tell me what you’ve been up to.” Jane wanted to hear his voice and forget about her problems for a bit. Jed told her about a fundraiser he’d gone to last night, and she soaked in the normalcy of it all. When the conversation lulled, she sighed. “I’m glad I called. I forgot to tell you something the other day.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to schedule a Sunday supper later this month.”
“You got the time? I know you lead a busy life.”
“I’ll make the time.” Jane had to set some priorities, and family time needed to go near the top. Her father wouldn’t be around forever.
“Count me in—sounds like fun.” She heard a chair creaking and envisioned him sitting at the kitchen table. “Now, about your job….”
“Stop right there.” While Jane was thinking of making a change, she doubted Jed would approve, though he’d respect her decision.
He laughed.
“Do you wish you’d made more time for a personal life after she left?” Ever since he’d brought it up, it’d been bothering her. What if she was letting life pass her by?
“Yes, if I had, I might not be an old codger ramblin’ around this big house by myself. A career gives me purpose, a cause to work toward, but it ain’t the only thing. I’m glad I had you in my life.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
“You should really find yourself a fella and make me a grandbaby.”
“Dad!” Jane laughed uneasily. Somehow, when he mentioned a grandchild, an image of Byron holding a baby popped into her head. Probably because he’d been so wonderful with Brady. He’d be an excellent father.
And now she was scaring herself. Raising babies with a mobster…? Out of the question. These overwhelming feelings were clouding her judgment.
“Just puttin’ it out there. Hmm, I’ll have to think of a good topic for supper.”
“I’ll bring the pie with me. Oh, and I want to bring a friend of mine along if it’s okay with you.”
Jane clasped a hand over her mouth. Oh, yes, she had lost her mind, because she’d just invited a member of the Dixie Mafia over to her father’s house for dinner. And yet, she wondered if Jed would like Byron after he got over the initial shock.
“Sure thing. Is it Georgia?”
“Uh, no. Another friend of mine.”
“A male friend?”
Jane sighed. “Yes, he happens to be a man.”
“You’ve never brought a young man home with you.” Jed gave a whoop so loud she had pull the phone away from her ear.
“Yes, I know.” Until now, she’d had a perfect record.
“And you like him?”
“Yes, actually.” Which was strange. “I didn’t want to, but I do.” Byron had been nothing but kind to her, helped her with an impossible task, and tonight he’d opened up to her. Not to mention the way he kisses.
“Know what this sounds like?”
“Don’t say it.”
“Love.”
Jane groaned. “Slow down. It’s only a dinner.”
“Who is he? Anyone I know?”
The name Beauregard was infamous in Texas.
“He’s my bodyguard.”
“And…? I need details.”
“I can tell you he’s handsome and wealthy.”
This wasn’t the sort of conversation she could have over the phone. Actually, if she prepped Jed for the meeting, he’d call the whole thing off. It’d be best to spring it on him, guess who’s coming to dinner style.