Page 37 of Finding Yesterday
WHEN I WAKEthe next morning, I gather the courage up to go downstairs and ask Daddy if he can pigsit Winston for the weekend while I’m in Atlanta. I have all my arguments ready when I go into the living room.
But when I get there, Winston is on Daddy’s lap as they watch TV together. And by “they” I literally meanbothof them. Winston’s beady eyes study the screen almost more than Daddy’s.
“Hi, Daddy.” I walk over. “Hi, Mr. Winston.”
His ears twitch, but the pig won’t tear his gaze away from the TV to acknowledge me. “Hey, buddy, I’m your Mommy,” I say, scratching his chin.
Still nothing.
“Winston likes Sunny Martinez.” Daddy points to the TV. “Now can you move, please? We can’t see.”
I huff, but step aside. “I was just seeing if you could watch Winston. I’m competing in a chili contest with Jack this weekend in Atlanta.”
“All right.” He groans like it’s a problem. It’s clearly not. “You’re not going to make truth of those rumors, are you?” He looks at me, his kind eyes worried.
“Daddy, no.” I roll my eyes, but I’m not sure I believe my own words. He’s right, this is putting myself on temptation island, and I really can’t go there with Jack. When Daddy turns back to the news, I check Winston, who’s sucked further into the TV, his eyes glazed over. “Is this good for him?”
“It’s fine.” Daddy bats his hand. “Don’t worry, when Sunny’s wrap-up is done, Winston and I have some vines to prune. He’ll get his exercise.”
“That’s good, thank you.” Looking at the two of them in the chair together, they’re like Turner and Hooch. Best friends forever.
I’m a tiny bit jealous until I notice the grin stuck on Daddy’s face. I love seeing him happy and think he loves Winston as much as I do, maybe more.
I turn to walk away when Daddy says, “I don’t like what you did, Claire.”
I flip around, shooting Daddy a look.
“I didn’t need those silly vines. That money was for starting your own restaurant.”
So, he saw the vine grafts Nate planted. I nod slowly. “I can get investors for my restaurant, Daddy. And I still have some left. I’ll be just fine.”
He wags a finger. “You’re getting your share of earnings from those vines, you hear me?”
“Yes, Daddy.” I bat a hand. “Hush now.”
He shakes his head before putting an arm out. “Git on over here and give your old man a hug, would ya?”
“Of course.” I rush over and pull him into my arms, glad for the chance to hug Daddy more.
Especially during Sunny Martinez.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I’M ABOUT TOspend two luxurious nights at The Opulence, a five-star hotel in Buckhead...forfree!
I’m in a room on the fifth floor, but Jack’s in the corner luxury suite of the tenth floor because we need a place to prep and store all our supplies for tomorrow.
Jack and I brought restaurant signs, pots, groceries, supplies, and condiments—a list so extensive I can’t imagine we forgot anything. We refused bellhop service, so we push luggage carts stacked full of boxes into his room. Once inside, I stop and peer around, bug-eyed. “When The Opulence labels a room a luxury suite, they aren’t messing around.”
“No kidding. I feel like I should be hosting a black-tie soirée.” Jack puts his hands on his hips as he surveys the space.
There’s a posh-modern living room area, a skyline view of Buckhead, and a stocked minibar. Most importantly for us, there’s an eight-person conference table where we can prep our supplies.
Once we finish unloading boxes, we head down to the hotel’s restaurant to pick up sandwiches for dinner—crispy eggplant on sourdough for me and turkey club on focaccia with a side of grapes for Jack.
In no time, we’re back in his room sitting side by side on the plush chairs of the long conference table, finished eating, and ready to work.
Jack says, “How about you separate and organize the ingredients in containers?” There’s a ton of random crap Jack apparently threw in the back of his car before we left Blue Vine.
