Page 14

Damn.
See, this is why Patton is the client-facing brother in the rare cases where we need to deal with our base personally. I don’t have the bedside manner for it.
“Sorry,” I mutter.
To my surprise, the flicker of a smile crosses Winnie’s face again. “It’s been a long day for me, too. I totally get it.”
Colt looks at her with dawning respect. Guess it’s been a long-ass time since somebody has taken to me snapping at them so well.
“Yeah, sure,” I say. “Long day. Not helped by fools with contraband fireworks.” I hold back on calling them little assholes, even if that’s what they are. I’m not looking forward to telling their parents what I caught them doing.
I switch my attention to the brown bag by the wall.
Not that I need anyone to tell me what’s in it. More fireworks, I’m sure.
Enough to destroy this place, the surrounding woods, and get me investigated for arson and insurance fraud.
Colt and Evans, taking their usual shit a step too far, and probably trying to impress Briana along the way.
I’m lucky I’m not stuck in a police station with burly cops and firefighters growling questions in my face.
“Let me guess,” I say, “Jack bought you the fireworks too? Anything else you’d like to add?”
“Dad, we… we weren’t firing them off next to the house. We set up in the gardens. It was stupid, yeah, but we used common sense.”
Common sense?
I’m never a violent man with my boy.
But I’m closer than I’ve ever been to smacking him across the face.
“They really weren’t. Not that it makes it okay. It’s super dry out there.” Winnie positions herself between me and the kids like she thinks she needs to shield them or something.
Annoying.
I look at her, waiting for more.
“I think they only set off a couple before I noticed. Basically just a big dumb Roman candle and a little bottle rocket.”
“Leave this to me. I know how to handle my kids when they’re doing their damnedest to ruin my property,” I say coldly. This time, she does flinch back. “You just focus on having a nice stay, Miss…”
“No Miss. Just Winnie.”
“Fine, Winnie. We’ve ruined your night enough and these guys need to get home. Thanks for your trust, and you enjoy your stay now.” I dig around in my pocket and fetch a business card, leaving it on the island for her. “If you need anything else, here’s my personal number.”
“The only thing I need is a little peace and quiet for once,” she says under her breath, so quiet I almost don’t catch it.
Yeah, no shit. Isn’t that on everyone’s list? It’s how I wanted my evening to end before I had to drive out here.
“We’ll get out of your hair.” I wave to Colt and the others, who slide off the seats.
“Thanks for being cool, Winnie,” Evans says, giving her a fist bump, which she returns with a brief grin.
“Steer clear of the fireworks, guys,” she tells them. “It’s a slippery slope. Listen to your dad.”
“Gotcha.”
Colt waves goodbye, and even Briana, who’s never smiled in my direction once, flashes her a smile.