One Step Closer(31)
“Of course, you do. What’s not to love?” The old woman grinned at Caleb. He returned her smile, but his eyes were questioning and Jonesy recognized it right away. “She’s upstairs sleeping.” She answered Caleb’s unanswered question.
Macy’s head snapped around to look for Caleb’s reaction. He seemed to physically relax, and nodded slightly.
“Good.” When he started to leave the room, Macy stopped him.
“Caleb, please take my bags. I’d like to freshen up myself.”
Caleb stopped, mid-stride, and turned around at the same time Jonesy huffed.
“Nothing wrong with the room you have, in my opinion,” Jonesy put in promptly, continuing her task of finishing the cake.
“But—” Macy began, a scowl beginning to form on her features.
Caleb’s hand went up to waist level, to stop her, noting her perturbed expression. The last thing he needed was a throw-down between Macy and Jonesy. Macy was used to getting her own way, but even though Jonesy was paid a wage for her work, she was more like the matriarch of the family and used to taking charge. His eyes implored Macy to can her response. “I’m sure that it’s fine. I’ll be glad to deliver the bags, though.”
Macy was clearly angry, but Caleb nodded his head, indicating that she should follow him out of the room. “See you in an hour, Jonesy.”
As he walked into the foyer to pick up her bags, and Macy followed.
“Caleb!”
He bent to pick up one of the bags in each hand, foregoing pulling out the handles so he could wheel them. He wasn’t sure what room Jonesy had given Macy and there might be carpet or rugs on the way. When he straightened with the bags, the muscles on his biceps bulged slightly, though he bore the weight easily. “Jesus. Did you bring your entire closet? Lead the way.”
Macy didn’t tell him where her room was, nor did she start walking in that direction. “Why can’t I stay in the same room with you? It’s not like we’re kids, and you’re her boss!”
“Macy, come on.” Caleb was unmoving in his resolve but he kept his tone low. They were still within earshot of the kitchen and who knew if Wren would show up at the top of the stairs any minute. “I don’t want to argue and I’m not up for getting into it with Jonesy either. Please, show me the way to your room and we can talk about it.”
Macy waited a beat, and then preceded Caleb down the hall behind the staircase to the back of the house. “She stashed me in the farthest part of the house. She hates me and I didn’t even do anything to her!”
Caleb remained silent until he deposited the cases on floor of her room. It was lavishly furnished with polished hardwood floors and a thick area rug in the center of a seating area situated at the end of the bed, where a big screen TV was mounted on the wall above a fireplace. It could be watched from there or from the bed. The room was done in soft yellows, gold, and light jade green.
“This is like the Ritz. She probably put you back here because it’s private. You have everything you need.”
Macy huffed, throwing her purse on the middle of the king size bed. The linens were the finest money could buy; plush and comfortable. “I need to be with you. How am I supposed to help you if I’m exiled to the outer limits?” Her lips took on a petulant pout, though the woman Caleb knew her to be was always controlled and mature. It was out of character.
Caleb contemplated his words; knowing in soothing her, he’d have to say things he didn’t really mean. “I’m glad you’re here, though I have a ton of meetings and we won’t be able to spend much time together. It’s a funeral, not party-time.”
Macy’s expression got hard, angry at his choice of words. “I know it’s not a party.” She unbuttoned her jacket and kicked off her high heels. “Obviously.”
Caleb’s hands landed on his hips as his stance changed. “Look, I told you there is a lot of shit to deal with this week.”
“I know.” Her expression softened. “I know there are a ton of things that need dealing with, but do you need to do it all yourself? After the funeral, we can just hire people to do it all. Real estate agents, lawyers, brokers… I don’t like to see you so stressed over things.”
Caleb was uncomfortably aware of his state of bodily odor and sweat. His shirt was sticking to him and his hair was plastered onto his forehead and was starting to itch. He reached up to scratch his temple in irritation.
“My father is dead.”
“Yes, but you hated him, so I don’t really understand all of this pent up anxiety. And why is your stepsister here? Aren’t your parents divorced?”
Her blasé attitude as she stripped out of her blouse and skirt just pissed him off, and it made worse by her reference to Wren. To be fair, she had no clue what he was and would be dealing with and he could tell her just to shut down the conversation, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to.
“There’s more to it. Wren is here because she and my father were close and he wanted her here.”
Macy hesitated briefly before going into the bathroom, wearing only a lacy white bra and thong. She was always so perfectly coiffed. Even down to her lingerie, and usually, that would turn him on, but as it was, he barely noticed. “Is she in the will?” Macy’s tone was casual, but Caleb knew she was bristling.