Page 52 of Hearts Don't Lie
“You need to be careful,” Stowe said, admonishing him like a parent.
“I have it under control. Let me know, okay? And tell your mom I said good morning.”That I’m thinking of her,he wanted to add.
“Okay.” Stowe disconnected and Hardin banished all thoughts of a naked Mac before putting the luxury vehicle into drive and heading the last five minutes to the airport.
The Bluetooth signaled he had another call. Mac’s number popped up again on the screen. “Hey, Stowe.”
“It’s me. The boy is addressing his caterpillar-coated teeth.”
He grimaced and then laughed. It was an image he was unlikely to part with soon. “Morning, honey. That bad?”
“Uh, not really. I’m exaggerating a bit. That said, he isn’t going about his day with dirty teeth.”
Hardin made a mental note of the importance of Stowe’s hygiene.
“I’m headed into work. Our son asked me to follow up. Asher, Ronni’s brother, will be expecting you when you get back to PR. Stowe will be with me. You can take him to Elevation with you. He loves looking around. If you want, that is.”
If he wanted. Of course he wanted to have his son with him. The question was their son’s expectations. This was a delicate dance. “What do you think he wants? Actually, answer this. Did you have him invite me along?”
“Inviting you was his idea, which is great. But that said, be on your toes.”
He wanted to shout from a mountaintop. Stowe inviting him was a major step forward. “Wow,” he said quietly.
“Yeah. Progress. Keeping you in the loop. We were at Cori and Mike’s for dinner last night. Issa and Doc, Cori’s parents, were there too. While the kids were playing outside, the topic of you came up, as did questions, specifically regarding the uncanny resemblance between you and Stowe. Anyway, I told them about you, about us. Very briefly. They know and will act appropriately. I just wanted you to be in the loop because Mike will probably bring it up while you fish if you end up out of the boys’ earshot.”
“Understood. By the way, does Stowe need anything?”
“No, but that may not keep him from asking or begging. He is a child after all. If, and I say if because this is your decision, you do decide to get him something, please try to be, um, reasonable. Not get something I couldn’t afford or wouldn’t agree to. Please.”
Hardin pulled into the airport and began looking for Arlo. His friend waved at him from the far end of the terminal.
“Thanks for the heads-up,” Hardin said calmly even though he felt otherwise. He wished Mac would be with him, that they could field the questions and comments about Stowe together. “As far as Elevation or anything else along those lines, I support that.” Finances were something they needed to talk about. Mac’s days of supporting Stowe and herself were coming to an end.
Her sigh of relief carried easily through the Bluetooth. “Thank you. Knowing you, I’m thinking you’re nervous.”
“Nervous as hell.”
“You’re going to do great, Hardin,” she said supportively.
“Thanks. When can I see you?”
“I’m not sure. Stowe’s at Issa and Doc’s tonight. Grandparent night. I’ll be out with the girls.”
Disappointed that he wouldn’t see her, Hardin decided Arlo and he would address his contract after fly-fishing and maybe do something later if they were still talking to each other by then. “I’ve got plans too.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, a friend has flown in and I’m in Gambol picking him up as we speak. Hold on.” He pulled the Range Rover to the curb and motioned Arlo, who wore an unhappy expression, into the vehicle. “Hey, Arlo! I’ve got to go, honey.”
“Call me later?”
“Of course.”
