Page 40 of The Grizzly Situation

“And this is our son, Jake.”

Who was the spitting image of Chaim, though not nearly as buff. His dark hair was gelled, and his gray eyes spoke of mischief.

“Jake likes to tinker, so don’t be surprised if you find things taken apart after we’re gone. We’ve told him not to do it, but it’s like he can’t help himself. If you find broken or cannibalized things after we leave, send us the bill. I’ll have Emily put that ill gotten gain to good use.”

She muttered again, but didn’t say anything

“Say hello to the guy who’s letting you stay in this mansion,” Chaim groused, his deep voice going even deeper. “You were raised better than that.”

“Good to meet you, sir,” they said in unison.

“Just call me Brent,” I told them. “And it’s a pleasure to have you here. Do you want me to have someone show you to your rooms so you can get ready for dinner? I wasn’t sure if you wanted to eat with us, so I had pizzas ordered to the multimedia room. There are games, movies, and stuff like that for you to use. My kids were going to eat in there, but that’s not happening now.”

“What’s wrong with them?” Emily asked, concern clear in her voice.

“A stomach bug. The doctor says they’ll be better in a day or two, but need plenty of rest.”

Chaim frowned. “Cub, why didn’t you say your boys were sick?” He turned to Benjy. “We’ll be staying at an inn tonight.”

“Understood, Chaim,” Benjy said. “Kids, grab your?—”

“You’ll go nowhere,” I growled. “We all want you here, so shut up.”

“You have enough pokers in the fire, and don’t need?—”

The door opened once more and this time it was Uly standing there, a huge smile on his face that faded quickly when he saw Chaim and Benjy.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize—I mean…”

“It’s fine, come in,” I encouraged him. “This is Chaim, the guy I was telling you about, and this is his husband, Benjy and their kids, Emily and Jake. Everyone, this is Uly, who is here to apply for a position with the company.”

They all said their hellos, with Uly still seeming quite uncomfortable. Chaim asked to have their bags brought to the front door and for a cab to be called. I protested, he ignored. Uly stood there, looking not unlike a deer in some very bright headlights.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“My kids are sick. Stomach bug. Chaim and his family were here to visit, and we were going to do something this weekend, but now?—”

“I can watch the kids,” he offered. “I mean, if that’s okay.”

“No, you’re a guest here and?—”

“We’re fine at the inn, and Cullin said he’d take us out fishing.”

None of this was going how I wanted or expected it to. I’d been desperate to see Chaim, to find out if he thought I was doing a good job. To have him tell me what their lives had been like. To catch up with my old friends.

“Uly, I’ll have HR contact you tomorrow. Cullin can drive you to your appointment and?—”

“Or I could stay here and watch the kids while you and Chaim have a chance to reconnect,” he insisted. “And I don’t mind watching the kids. It’ll be good practice for when I babysit for Jamie and Deb after their kid is born.”

“She’s pregnant?” Which I knew, because I could smell it when we met. “Awesome.”

Then Uly turned puppy dog eyes on me. They were even better than the kid’s version. “I can do this, Brent. I promise. Let me help you.”

And staring into those beseeching eyes, my determination faltered.

“Okay,” I finally managed to choke out.

ULY