Page 82 of Day Break

“Oh?” My grandfather turned his attention back to me.

“Yeah.” I glanced at Chloe. “It’s a personal matter we have to deal with.”

My grandfather’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded quickly. “I’ll be fine here on my own,” he said, finishing his tuna sandwich.

“Are you sure?” Chloe asked.

“Don’t worry about me, dear. I’ve got Byron to look after me,” he said with a wink. “Now, tell me what else you purchased on your shopping trip.”

I knew it was my grandfather’s way of changing the subject. He didn’t like shopping. He’d always complained when my grandmother had forced him to go with her. Still, he listened to every word Chloe said, as if he found it all so fascinating.

After lunch, I disappeared into the office and tried to get some work done. Before we’d left town, I had made a quick run to my office and gathered the documents I’d needed for a couple of cases I was working, but now I had to cram the rest of my work in so that I could take tomorrow off to drive back into the city.

I had believed that I would miss being in court and meeting with clients. The truth was, since returning to the island, I’d realized that the majority of my work was better handled in solitude.

When I worked in the office, there were so many distractions. Phone calls, coworkers stopping to chat, employee meetings. Most of it was just time-filler.

Being locked in a room without any distractions, aside from my own family, had been helpful to my career. I was getting more work done in five hours than I had in two days in the office.

By the time dinner rolled around, I had finished everything I needed to do and figured I could spend the rest of the evening with my grandfather and Chloe.

I was growing accustomed to sitting on the back porch and chatting after dinner. Even though it was currently raining, we sat around the small firepit under the patio and listened to my grandfather tell stories about the things he and my grandmother did before settling down and having children.

I could hear in his tone as he talked about his kids that he’d loved them as children, but then they’d turned into money- and power-hungry adults.

“Of course, I’m to blame for it,” he said as he sipped his wine. “While they were growing up, I was too busy trying to get ahead in my career. I became senator shortly after Robert turned five. From then on, I put my career ahead of everything else.” He set his glass down and sighed. “Don’t make the same mistake,” he said, looking directly at me.

“I have no intention of going into the public eye. I’m happy where I am,” I told him.

But, later, when Chloe lay in my arms fast asleep, her legs wrapped around mine and her head resting on my chest, I questioned that statement.

Was I happy where I was?

Was I contented living in the city as Chloe had asked?

I really did like being on the island again. The slower life. Not always rushing. Or feeling the need to keep up with others.

Then again, if not for my job, I doubted I could afford to live on the island. I did have some money saved away. If I sold my townhouse, I could probably afford a small place on the island. But loan payments would eventually require some sort of job.

There were a handful of lawyers on the island. Could the small community support one more?

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look into it. Then I could make the decision. Jumping into things wasn’t the Robinson way.

The following morning, after helping Chloe clean up after breakfast, we headed back to the city.

The drive went more quickly this time since it was past rush hour.

When we arrived at the police station where Chloe was going to be questioned, Malory was standing outside smoking a cigarette.

“She’s waiting for us.” I motioned across the parking lot.

“Is that Malory?” Chloe asked, following my gaze.

“Yes. She’s been a detective at the S.P.D. for over ten years.”

“She’s… different than I expected.” Chloe turned to me. “The way you were flirting with her, I expected… someone younger.” She chuckled.

I looked over at Malory and smiled. The woman was easily twice my age. She was probably in better shape than I was, and I’d seen her take down a man double her size. She could intimidate anyone she interviewed and usually got what she needed from a perpetrator or witness.