Page 3 of The Work Wife

“You always like them. I can’t tell if you have really good taste or if you’re just lazy.”

Some days it was probably a little of both.

Jamie’s cell phone rang, sparing him from coming up with an answer. She tucked her pencil behind her ear and hit the button for the speaker.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, sweetie. How’s the weather up there? It doesn’t look so good on the Weather Channel.”

“The Weather Channel is lying to you. It’s eighty-two degrees and sunny.”

“Hmm. Maybe I’m reading it wrong.” Jamie’s father was immune to his daughter’s smart-ass comments.

“Hi, Mr. Witmer.”

“Hey, Wes. Is Jamie behaving herself?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Of course.”

“She’s trying to come up with a way to weasel a free vacation, and she’s still using a dating site. And not one of the respectable ones either.”

Jamie stuck her tongue out at him.

“Jamie, I don’t want you going out with some loser.” Her father spoke into the speaker louder than necessary.

“I know, but they really like going out with me.”

Wes could almost hear her father shake his head over the phone. The poor man had his work cut out for him. He’d raised a daughter all by himself, since Jamie was six. Wes had to give him credit. She turned out pretty good. Despite the smart mouth.

“Wes, maybe you know someone suitable. Don’t you have a younger brother?” Mr. Witmer suggested.

“No way am I signing up one of my friends or family members for this level of crazy.” That comment earned him a smack in the arm from the eraser she hurled at him.

“I understand.”

Jamie huffed at her father’s easy agreement. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Well, it’s not like you make it easy. You’re so consumed with your job, you don’t have any time to meet anyone suitable.”

“Sorry, Mr. Witmer, I’m going to have to take a different stand on this. I like that she’s consumed. It means we design lots of great buildings.”

“You kids today think everything is about money and moving up the ladder. Well, guess what? When you get to be my age you’ll realize the ladder just goes to a very lonely place and the money spends. You should want more for yourselves. Bonds, family, and maybe some children.”

Wes covered his mouth to hold in his laughter. Jamie’s expression was hilarious.

“Nice talking to you, Dad. Wes and I are being called into a meeting. We have to get going.”

“All right. Do you think you’ll get to use your day-off voucher to fly down and see me some weekend?”

“I’m hoping to work something out next month.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Wes looked down at his work, feeling awkward at their casual, yet genuine, bond. Neither of his parents had ever told him they loved him. Yet Jamie and her father said it every time they spoke on the phone. It sounded as natural as their hellos and goodbyes.