Colton Christmas Protector (The Coltons of Texas #12)(31)

“Whoa! Pen? As in Penelope Barrington?”

Reid mentally kicked himself for the slip. “Yeah. Except she’s Penelope Barrington Clark. Remember?”

Zane nodded as if he’d just made the connection. “Oh, right. She was your partner’s wife.” Still holding the partially eaten apple, he gestured toward Reid. “You introduced them, didn’t you? Some policemen’s benefit you dragged Andrew to?”

“I didn’t drag him there. Our boss insisted we go. Mostly because he thought my last name would help raise more donations.” He shook his head, frowning. “Look, that’s irrelevant. What is important is—”

“My brother—the poster boy for police charity.” Zane snickered as he bit into his apple again.

Reid sighed. He was happy that his half brother had found Mirabella and was enjoying married life, but Zane’s good mood in recent days meant his teasing had increased as much as his appetite had. “Just keep an eye out around here for trouble. While I have my suspicions, I don’t know for sure who is behind the attack on us or just how desperate they are, but you can’t be too safe.”

To his credit, Zane sobered a bit and nodded. “Sure.”

Turning, Reid headed up to his suite to clean up and pack.

“You missed dinner,” a female voice chirped from the living room as he hurried through to the front hall.

His mother, Whitney, sat with her feet tucked under her and a drink in her hand. “Where were you?”

Reid wished he thought his mother actually cared about why he’d not been home for the evening meal, but Reid was certain her curiosity was simply nosiness.

“I’m an adult now, Mother. I don’t have to report my whereabouts to you. And I’m perfectly capable of getting something to eat.”

“Don’t take that tone with me! I just asked where you were!” Whitney sniped.

“I’m in a hurry. I don’t have time for interrogations. Mind someone else’s business,” he said, mounting the stairs.

“Reid! Reid, come back down here!” she shrilled. “Don’t walk away from me like that!”

On the grand staircase to the upper levels of the house, he passed Moira Manfred on her way down, carrying a wad of bedsheets that smelled heavily of whiskey. The woman had been head housekeeper and wife of the family butler, Aaron Manfred, for as long as Reid could remember. “Evening, Mr. Reid.”

He bobbed his head in greeting and added a polite smile. “Hi, Moira.”

The woman, well into her seventies, could have retired a decade ago. But she, like her husband, was loyal to a fault and determined to work until she was physically unable. “Oh, Mr. Reid?”

He paused and faced her. “Yes?”

“Mr. Manfred is taking some time off tonight and has gone to bed early. If you need anything before retiring, let me know, and I’ll get it for you.”

“Sure.” Reid nodded absently. He wouldn’t be around, so he had no need for either the butler or his wife’s help. He took a few more steps.

“Mr. Reid? Are you all right? Pardon my saying so, but you look terrible. Your face is cut, and you seem extraordinarily tired or worried.”

He paused, feeling an odd sense of gratitude and warmth that the woman had noticed and seemed genuinely concerned. “It’s been an interesting day, for sure. But I’m fine. Thank you.”

She gave him a small smile of acknowledgment. “I’ll be up to turn down your bed in a few minutes. I just have to get clean sheets and a fresh drink for Mr. Fowler.”

“Not necessary. I’m not staying here tonight.”

If the news surprised her, she masked it well. But then she’d had many years to practice hiding her reaction to the family’s drama and last-minute changes in plans. He turned to continue upstairs but hesitated. “Moira?”

The older woman stopped and glanced back up at him. “Yes, sir?”

“Aaron has taken off a lot of evenings lately.”

She raised her chin, her expression saying she was prepared to defend her husband if needed. “Yes, sir.”

“Is everything all right? You said he went to bed already. He’s not ill or anything, is he?”

She relaxed a bit and shook her head. “No, sir.” He thought for a moment she was going to add an explanation as to why her husband had been so absent of late, perhaps ask that his hours be reduced permanently. Instead she squared her shoulders. “Mrs. Colton said it was all right for Aaron to take the evening off as long as I covered for him. I hope that’s not a problem for you?”

He shook his head as he continued up the steps. “No, it’s fine. I just...was making sure everything was okay with him. Not feeling sick or...”

“No, sir.”

He gave the banister a little double pat. “Okay. Good.”

As he strode past his sister Piper’s room, the sound of laughter, both male and female, bubbled out like champagne overflowing a glass. Extravagant and effervescent. Farther down the hall, the noises coming from his brother T.C.’s suite were more amorous. He experienced a brief pang of envy for his siblings, moving on with their lives, enjoying the company of their new loves. Every one of his siblings had a new life, a new love, a new beginning. Except him.

Even his other half siblings, waspish Marceline and pretentious Fowler, had mellowed in recent weeks, making their illicit affairs public and embracing the future with their lovers.