Hearing Logan thumping down the stairs, Holly called to him, “Logan, honey, could you grab my laptop charger from the kitchen desk?”
But he either didn’t hear her or, just as likely, ignored her. He kept thumping all the way down to the basement, where he would put on his headset and play games with kids he’d met online. She fervently hoped they were kids.
The day may not have been as picture perfect as their usual holiday kickoff, but it was nice having everyone home. Holly enjoyed a full and slightly chaotic house, up to a point. Two weeks from now, she knew, she’d be grateful to have Galenia back on the premises and Jack back at work full time. Not that he ever was at home full time.
Holly heard the front door open as Ava came in with Sienna. They had been out driving around, going who knew where and doing who knew what. Holly tried not to pry, though she did occasionally confirm Ava’s stories with her friends’ parents. Even the best kids from the best homes were liable to have some secrets.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” said Ava as they breezed into the kitchen, their sneakers leaving wet prints on the hardwood floor.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Wright,” said Sienna. “I mean, Doctor and Doctor.”
“Hi, girls,” said Jack, glancing up. “And what mayhem have you been wreaking in the snowy streets of Barrington Hills today?”
They looked at each other—less a conspiratorial glance than a What do you say to that?—before Ava answered, “Nothing much,” and began raiding the snack cabinet.
“Oh!” said Sienna, remembering something. “I saw you, Dr. Wright. Downtown yesterday. Or maybe Saturday.”
Jack cocked an eyebrow. “Where was that? You should have said hi.”
“I would have but you were with somebody. I didn’t want her to think, ‘Who’s that crazy chick yelling at you from across the street?’”
“I don’t mind if people think I’m friends with crazy chicks,” joked Jack.
“It was in front of Macy’s,” clarified Sienna.
Holly felt a throb in her forehead. “Who were you with, Jack?”
“It must have been our director of medical monitoring and consulting. She’s new to Chicago, so I took her to lunch and reminded her she’s welcome to enjoy the city. She’s been working pretty much seven days a week.”
“What’s her name?” asked Holly.
“Jessica Meyers,” he said, looking impatient to get back to his reading.
The girls were now looking at something on Ava’s phone, something a friend had posted that was worthy of a few Oh my GODs.
“That was nice of you,” said Holly airily. “On a weekend.”
Jessica Meyers.
“I thought so,” said Jack.
“Where did you take her?”
“Atwood,” he said without missing a beat.
Which was across from Macy’s.
“And then you looked at the window displays,” she continued.
He shrugged. “How could we not? She’s new here.”
Suddenly Sienna was back in their conversation.
“She looked super hip and cool,” said Sienna. “I loved her blue hair. If I could style like that, maybe I’d want some kind of big corporate job, too.”
“We look at the résumé more than the wardrobe,” said Jack with a shrug, lifting his tablet again.
And just like that, the girls had grabbed a bag of chips and two mineral waters and moved to another room.
“How’s she working out?” asked Holly.
He didn’t look up. “Who?”
“Your new director of whatever.”
“Well, I only hire rock stars, so she fits right in.”
“I wish you had office parties so I could get to know your staff.”
“That’s actually a great idea. We’ll do something this summer. But you know you’re welcome at the office anytime.”
“I know.”
Paige had apparently gotten distracted by something, most likely her phone, but now finally returned with a carrot, which she had thoughtfully peeled. Mini-Me hadn’t moved, and condensation from his nostrils clouded the glass. He perked up when he saw the carrot, though, and Paige had a hard time squeezing past him once she’d opened the door.
“Shut the door, we’re not heating the yard,” called Jack. To Holly, he added, “God, I sound like a total dad.”
Hearing the doorbell chime, Holly clicked “Submit” on a cart full of gifts and closed her laptop.
“Expecting someone?” asked Jack.
“I told you—Brian.”
“That guy,” he said with a chuckle meant to imply he was not in any way a threat to Jack Wright.
She went to the front door and opened it. Brian was waiting on the front step with rosy cheeks, a few flakes of snow in his hair, and a nice gray scarf knotted over his light jacket. When he grinned at her, she fought an urge to kiss him.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
“Of course. Why? And come in already.”
“I don’t know. The look on your face just now.”
“Jack’s here,” she said as he slipped his shoes off and left them in the pile of boots, sneakers, and slippers by the front door.
“Good,” he said unconvincingly.
“Hay Bale Ball?” asked Jack as they came into the family room.
“You know it,” said Brian. “We’ve got a seat with your name on it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Except, of course, he had.
“I’ve got a list of tables you helped us sell in recent years that haven’t confirmed yet,” said Holly, settling in on the couch and picking up her laptop again. “Do you mind giving them a call?”
“Better wait until after New Year’s. Don’t want to bug people when they’re home with family.”
Brian laughed as he sat down on a chair at the end of the couch and unzipped his computer bag. “Is that a dig?”
“Maybe,” said Jack with mock seriousness. “Any developments on the bridle-path problem?”
“Nothing from the Yadaos, who seem to be wintering in Florida,” said Brian. “And the trustees won’t talk, of course. But I’m working a couple of angles.”
Jack looked amused, as though he was thinking any effort on Brian’s part was futile.
Holly sighed. “I hope this little faux controversy doesn’t discourage anyone local from buying tickets.”
Jack dropped his tablet on a side table and stood up, rotating his neck to get the kinks out. “Are you kidding? Put
