“I’ll try my best,” he finally muttered, a promise he was determined to keep.
Robert chuckled to himself while staring down at the bent dark head. The one thing he and Landon had never been was awkward. Yet, here they were struggling to say goodbye. Maybe that was it. He didn’t want to say goodbye, which was the sole reason he’d given Landon every bit of his contact information, including Autumn’s email and personal cell phone number. He’d found someone to help him find a way to shoulder his burden, and he would always be grateful. No question…he wanted to keep Landon in his life.
Maybe that was why a strange feeling crept through him. It was like he was leaving his best friend. Robert drew in a deep breath. If he didn’t get a move on, he’d miss his car. He reached for his bag’s strap and slung it over his shoulder then extended his hand to Landon. The sergeant instantly looked up, taking his hand in a firm grip. “Thank you for everything.”
“Doc, that’s what I should be saying to you.” The genuineness of Landon’s tone caused Robert’s smile to grow and dissipated any unease that had developed. Landon’s character was so solid.
“Then I feel better about dominating your free time. I’m heading out. Call me if you need anything.” It still took a few extra seconds to release Landon’s hand. When he did, he took a step backward, his gaze remaining fixed on the man.
“I will.” Landon lifted the envelope as Robert took another step or two backward before forcing himself to turn away.
He had said his goodbyes to the staff during his last shift, but he nodded to the few he saw on his way out. He caught the same curious stares. They were always there whether he was with Landon or not. But he let that go and headed toward the door of the rehab center.
In the doorway, he turned back. Landon was still staring after him. He lifted a hand in a wave, already missing Landon, and he hadn’t even left yet. They had become friends, and he appreciated that friendship more than Landon would ever fully know. He turned away and headed toward his waiting car. He was going home.
Chapter 8
August 2014
One month later
Robert sat, quietly listening to the DC attorney who spoke by live video feed, answering his sister’s question regarding the final division and terms of their late fathers’ vast estate. When Autumn had ushered him into the small conference room, she had taken the seat to his left, closest to the door. His Nonnie, Kennedy Adams, had quickly claimed the chair to his right. He suspected he’d ended up in the middle so his sister and grandmother could block any potential escape routes. Both women were worried about him, and he couldn’t blame them. They had every right to be, considering his track record, but he was working through his issues and didn’t plan to exit until everything was wrapped up and he could move on with his life.
The family’s Minnesota law offices still looked the same as he’d remembered, classically decorated with tranquil colors and rich woods. A laptop placed in the middle of the conference room table separated his family from the attorneys on the other side of the screen. It wasn’t any surprise that his sister and his grandmother had come prepared, both women were amazing. Autumn was a force in her field of law, and his Nonnie hadn’t lost her business edge, not by a long shot.
A lot had happened in his absence, and for the most part, his role in the proceedings was to nod appropriately when Autumn directed and sign his name where she tapped her highly polished, pointy fingernail—those perfectly manicured claws were new for her too. Where Robert had become a pathetic mess after his fathers’ deaths, Autumn had gone in a completely different direction. She was a boss in the workforce, and from what he’d witnessed today, a quick study in probate law, efficiently cutting through all the red tape to finalize their fathers’ estate as quickly as possible.
“Finally, we have the contract with the Presidential Library Agency to turn the Stillwater home into a memorial library and museum for Vice President Adams,” a second voice piped in, drawing Robert’s full attention. He swung his gaze from the laptop toward his sister.
Autumn immediately looked at Robert, turning her body fully in his direction to get a good look at him as she asked, “Are you sure you’re good with this?”
Just as quickly as she turned, he gave a single nod then looked over at his grandmother for her acknowledgement. The National Archive Administration had approached Autumn about the possibility of turning their childhood home into a national library to commemorate his father’s life. Since neither he nor Autumn wanted to sell the home—or live there—it seemed a good option.
With everything decided, Robert had agreed to be the family liaison to head the archive committee, making sure the estate was preserved as authentically as possible. This allowed the family to continue to own the property, collect the rents from the archive administration, and provide a place of remembrance for the world to see. A vice president being honored with a library wasn’t something regularly done, but their father had worked tirelessly as a champion for human rights and equality for all. He’d made their country a better place to live. This would publicly document his efforts and achievements.
“Sign here and here.” Autumn tapped her deep red fingernail on the contract in front of him. He scrawled his name on the documents. One signature allowed for the rezoning of their carved-out piece of land and the other guaranteed the hefty monthly rental fee for years to come.
