Walking through the front door of the Big House, Derrick Williamson drew in a deep breath and smiled. It was evident from the scents filling the air, Ms. Patti had been busy in the kitchen. After the past few days, the whole craziness of Tina Nelson’s kidnapping, the arrest of Lillian Webster, and the subsequent fallout from the discovery of Randolph Webster’s body in her multimillion-dollar home in San Francisco, to say things had been a nuthouse would be an understatement.
Today the Boudreaus celebrated Tina’s inclusion as part of their family with a barbecue, and he’d been invited, since he’d been part of making sure the Websters wouldn’t be free to cause any more trouble for the lovely Ms. Nelson. He smiled, knowing that fact made one particular Boudreau happy.
“Where is everybody?”
Derrick’s nine-year-old son Ian stood at his side, his ever-present video game in his hand. Seemed like no matter where they were lately, he always kept a tight grip on the device. He really couldn’t blame Ian, that game had gotten him through some pretty ugly stuff in the past few months, including having his life upended. First Derrick’s ex-wife decided she needed to go and find herself. Somehow finding her inner person didn’t include having her son around. Then he’d moved in with Derrick, another upheaval of his life. It was a lot for a kid to handle. Though he was doing his best, Derrick knew Ian resented being treated like he was an unwanted toy, tossed aside when his parents got tired of playing with it.
“I think everybody’s out behind the house. My e-mail said to come through the house and head out the kitchen door.”
“Something smells good.”
“So, let’s go find everyone.” Derrick gestured toward the kitchen door right as it opened, and Ms. Patti walked in.
“Derrick! Ian! Welcome to the Big House. Although today I think it should be called the Mad House.” She smiled and made her way to the foyer and ushered them through into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she reached inside and pulled out two big cellophane-covered bowls. One contained potato salad and the other cut fruit, the colors vivid and bright against the white container.
“If y’all would carry these out and put them on the table, I’ll be right out. Most everybody’s already here, so make yourselves at home.”
“Thank you, Miss Patti.”
Within minutes, they’d said their hellos and Jamie, Beth and Brody’s daughter, had commandeered his son, insisting he needed to meet Otto, whoever that was. She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him away, Ian turning around once to meet his eyes, a slightly panicked expression crossing his face. Derrick figured it would do his son good to interact with the only other child there, even if she was a girl and a few years younger.
Across the large patio area, he spotted Chance seated beside Tina along with Brody and his wife, Beth. Standing beside the grill, Douglas was flipping burgers and hot dogs, along with steaks with an expertise which bespoke familiarity. A pretty blonde stood talking with Serena and Tessa. He’d been introduced to her once on a previous trip to Shiloh Springs, and remembered she was the only Boudreau daughter. Hard to imagine being the lone girl in a sea of testosterone-laden brothers.
“Glad you made it, Derrick.”
He turned at Rafe’s voice and couldn’t help noting the dark circles under the man’s eyes. They matched the one’s on his own face. The last few days had been long, crazy hours filled with meetings and dealing with numerous government agencies besides his own. This whole fiasco with the Websters spanned multiple states, dealing with stalking, kidnapping, and attempted murder meant reams and reams of paperwork and red tape to wade through.
“Happy for the invitation. It gave me a chance to spend a little time with my son. He’s probably feeling neglected.”
“Ian’s here?”
Derrick pointed toward the corralled area beside the barn, where Ian stood beside Jamie, an old donkey chomping on the carrot she held. The only promising thing he noted was his son’s video game was in his back pocket, and not in his hand. He couldn’t remember the last time that had happened.
“Finally got word from the San Francisco police. Randolph Webster’s official cause of death is being listed as a heart attack.”
“You’re kidding! I thought Liliana Webster killed him. Didn’t she admit to poisoning him when she was questioned?”
Rafe nodded. “She did. Coroner said the poison never had a chance to work in his system, because he had a massive coronary. Granted, the poison would have killed him if the heart attack hadn’t, so the charge of murder will probably be revised to attempted murder. Along with the other charges, including concealing the body, she’s still going away for the rest of her life.”
“What about the son? He made Tina’s life a nightmare, stalking her across state lines.”
Rafe made a scoffing sound, filled with disgust. “Idiot’s still claiming he knew absolutely nothing about his father’s death. That he didn’t know his mother hid the body. Nobody believes him, but so far they haven’t found any evidence to implicate him. As far as the stalking, there’s an investigation ongoing, but for now he’s still walking around free to go about his business. As far as we’re concerned, he’d better keep himself far away from Texas if he knows what’s good for him.”
“Bet Chance feels the same.”
“I do. I also have somebody keeping tabs on him. He so much as breathes across the state line, and I’ll know about it.” Chance moved to stand beside his brother, and Derrick couldn’t help noticing how different they were. One blond haired, blue eyed and the other with dark hair and eyes. They couldn’t be more different in looks, but one thing he’d come to know having worked alongside both with his dealings in Shiloh Springs for the FBI. Both were Boudreaus through-and-through. Not a bad thing, in his humble opinion.
“Momma told me you’re looking for a place in Shiloh Springs. You thinking about moving to our town?”
“Not full time. We’re looking at places for holidays and the weekends. I figured it would be good to have someplace to bring my son, where we can do things together outside Austin. The city can get a little much, cooped up in my condo. He already spends way too much time with a babysitter.”
Understanding spread across Chance’s face. “It’ll probably do your son a world of good. And it’ll mean you get to see Daisy a lot more often.” His knowing smirk told Derrick he hadn’t been quite as adept a hiding his interest in the pretty diner owner than he’d thought.
“You mean I’m not the only one who’s noticed Derrick mooning over Daisy? I don’t think he’s eaten anywhere except the diner every time he’s been in Shiloh Springs.”
“Hey, I like the food,” Derrick protested Chance’s statement.
Chance slung his arm around Derrick’s shoulder and leaned in close. “Daisy’s been through a lot and she deserves somebody who’ll treat her right. If you’re not serious about her, best to not start something. We care about her, and don’t want to see her get hurt.”
Derrick stiffened and took a step back. “Message received.”
“Don’t take this wrong, Derrick, because we like you. Respect you. But Daisy’s like family, almost a little sister.”
And with the Boudreaus, family is everything.
Derrick could practically hear their unsaid creed. One thing about the Boudreaus, family meant more than blood ties, more than DNA. They were a family by choice and protected those they considered part of their clan. He kind of envied them that kind of bond, since he’d never had brothers or sisters.
A curious tingle raced across his skin. Derrick turned his head and heard the prettiest laugh. Standing across the patio, Daisy stood encircled by the Boudreau women, her smile lighting a beautiful face. He noted the dark blue color she’d added to her almost white-blonde hair, chunky highlights adding interest to the shoulder-length cut. She’d changed it since the last time he’d been in Shiloh Springs. Then it had streaks of bright almost neon pink. He loved that she was spontaneous and adventurous with her hair colors and wondered how far that extended into her personality.
He sighed and turned his attention back to Chance and Rafe, who stood watching him closely. “I have no intention of hurting Daisy. As much as I’d like to pursue something with her, as you’ve both figured out, right now I must give my sole focus, my attention, to my son. Ian’s been through so much the last few months, he’s in limbo, and I need to make him my number one priority.”
No matter how much I want Daisy Parker.