Page 9 of Sundown Somewhere

“Why’d she open up anyway?” Jace presses. “You can’t tell me she wanted to go back to work that bad. If she needed a distraction, she coulda cooked up whatever in our kitchen.”

I nod. After all, that’s what I suggested. I told her that I’d run to Wright’s grocery and buy her whatever ingredients she wanted and we’d spend the day making a mess in the kitchen, trying every ridiculous recipe she could find on the Internet. That no matter what it was, Gus, Margeaux, Jace, and I would eat it.

Dolly wasn’t having it though. She insisted she needed normalcy.

My own anger at the jackass aside, there was no arguing with her. Who was I to tell her how to grieve? If turning her focus back on work was going to help her put him behind her, then that’s what we were going to do.

All while I entertained daydreams of dropping an anvil on him or blowing him up with TNT a la the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote. Or handing him off to Tony Soprano.

Either one.

“She insisted. And my job isn’t to fight her, it’s to support her.”

That’s always been my job, ever since we were kids. It’s Dolly’s show—I’m just here to make sure she shines.

“You should get back to her.”

I stop, food halfway to my mouth, shocked at who just said that. Looking up slowly, I blink, trying to make it compute. Sure enough, Gus stares back at me, serious as an undertaker.

Gus. Mr. Executive Vice President, I don’t joke about work, this place is more important than anything, just told me to leave. To skip a meeting.

Is this the twilight zone?

“Hux, you should get back to her,” he repeats.

“Who are you and what did you do with Gus?” I quip, unable to help myself. I know exactly what changed—who changed him. Still not going to stop me from busting his balls.

“Sometimes some things are more important. Only major thing on today’s agenda is Reel Madness, and that doesn’t have any direct relation to lumber and paper. Although, you’ll have to contribute, but we can catch you up on what.”

Doesn’t have any direct relation to lumber and paper…

Sputtering out a laugh, I shove the rest of my fajita in my mouth. Now I know he’s extra full of shit. Because I actually read the email he sent last week reminding me that I needed to give an update on the Hayes Forestry Sustainability project today. The very email that told me that he didn’t care that it was wedding weekend, I needed to be ready.

“Really?” I question, narrowing my eyes at him, ready to call him out. Because I can. “That’s it. Only Reel Madness. That’s the only thing on today’s agenda?”

Gus shifts uncomfortably, not liking that I questioned him. Love the guy, but I also love a chance to push his buttons.

In all fairness, it’s not that Reel Madness, the charity fishing tournament that Ewan is hosting in a couple weeks to help raise money for Hayes Cares, the charitable arm of the company that Willa oversees, isn’t important. It is. And in any other circumstance I would leap at the chance to get out of having to give an update on forest sustainability. Also another important subject, but a rather dry one, especially for those who don’t care about the finer details of replanting trees.

“It’s the only major item,” he repeats.

“What about the minor items?” I press.

Gus huffs, his nostrils flaring, and I can see the goodwill he extended earlier starting to evaporate. I smirk, enjoying this way more than I should be, especially since I walked in here asking to keep this short, but the sound of my little sister’s stifled giggle goads me on just enough not to give up yet.

“Huxley.” Our father’s thick Georgia accent is a bucket of cold water on my fun though, my body deflating as Gus perks back up. Saved by the old man. “Wasn’t expectin’ to see you today, son.”

“I was under the impression I was to present an update on the sustainability project today, or there would be consequences,” I say, emphasizing the last part, quoting the email and using Gus’s own words against him.

My oldest sibling doesn’t bother hiding the single finger salute he sends my way, Auggie chuckling as he fills his plate with food.

“I do believe that baseless threat was made prior to the events of this past weekend,” Auggie drawls, throwing a look over his shoulder at the table. All of us have the good enough sense to keep our mouths shut, letting him continue. “So, stop taunting your brother, finish your food, and get back to what’s important.”

Yes, sir…

I nod, not bothering to respond more than that. Because I have been put in my place. Also, he’s not wrong. I do need to get back to Dolly. She’s the priority. Not taunting Gus, as much fun as that can be. I can work on whatever I need to from there.

A couple more quick bites of fajitas, and I’m on my feet, ready to run out the door. I stop, turning back to the group, my heart as full as my stomach that this was the family I was born into.