Chapter 89

89

Gunnar kissed his woman on the forehead, grabbed a carrot slice, and took Powell's keys. "Dan and I are looking for a secret room next door."

"Like little boys on a treasure hunt?" Powell asked. Her arms slipped around his waist. She'd touched him more freely since getting out of the hospital too. Gunnar was enjoying that. He wanted to touch her too. "Do you guys need me to go over there with you? The power was turned on this morning."

"You stay here with your mom. We're just going to go inside. See if there are any signs people have been in there that shouldn't have been. Daniel just has questions. Something is eating at him. He had to deal with his father today, and the man said some things that Daniel's still trying to figure out."

"About what? That is one guy I have never liked. Daniel's father is a total jerk."

"He said some things about Heather. Apparently, their paths crossed before. When she was in her early twenties or so. I am thinking it wasn't a friendly type of association. Now our Daniel's back is all ruffled. The man is just not sane where she is concerned."

"Well, he can't have Heather. I'm keeping her for my brother. It's already been decided. Mom and I voted—it was unanimous."

"I want to be there when you tell those two that."

"Tell Daniel not to dwell too much on his father. That old pervert likes to say things to all the girls that age. He said things to me before."

"Like what?"

"Probably exactly like what you just imagined. Don't worry—Mac overheard him once and threatened to feed his liver to Mom's Yorkie at the time. My big brothers handled it. But he definitely likes women too young to know better."

Imagine that.

"He has never been a very likable man," Melissa added, popping the pan of vegetables into the oven to roast. "Daniel is nothing like his father, thank goodness. We know that—but I don't know that our Daniel does. But I do agree—he's not getting Heather. We're keeping her for Mac. Heaven help us all. These just need to roast with the sauce on top for about twenty. You bring Daniel back here, Gunnar. He needs to know he's still loved and welcomed here. Get. We'll have dinner when you get back."

Daniel was waiting at the end of the Barratts' drive, just prowling around.

Daniel was more on edge now than Gunnar had ever seen him. When this was over, Gunnar hoped Daniel figured out what he really wanted.

The man was too alone now. The TSP was starting to consume him. In a way far too familiar to Gunnar. He'd probably have been the same way—if he hadn't become so consumed with Powell Melissa Barratt instead.

Daniel deserved more for a life than the TSP.

"I have the keys."

Gunnar led the way.