One Step Closer(70)

Caleb glanced past Wren at Jonesy who was sitting on the other side of her. She was staring straight ahead, and was struggling to hold it together as she dabbed at her eyes with a fine linen handkerchief. Caleb’s chest expanded as he pulled in a breath. Obviously, Jonesy cared more about Edison than she let on. Caleb was thankful she’d been the one to arrange the funeral. The style of the service was likely what his mother would have also wanted, had she been alive to arrange it.

The scripture readings were delivered, and the hymns sung by people he was unfamiliar with. Jonathan would say the eulogy the following day at the funeral, then his father would be buried, the will would be read, and life would resume.

His father was dead and he couldn’t change it no matter how badly he wanted to. He’d been robbed of his mother by cancer, and only now, after his father was gone, did he have any indication that Edison had actually cared about him. It was ironic how f*cking cruel life could be, but there was something about the finality of death that demanded acceptance.

Wren’s fingers squeezed around his; as if she could sense what he was thinking. He turned his head to glance down at her, to find her light blue eyes swimming in tears. Resentment and anger rose up and he felt ready to scream; his heart started pounding uncomfortably inside his chest. This was the real injustice; the time lost and the unknown of what his relationship should have been with Wren. He’d loved her for almost half of his life and nothing would ever change it. Not time, other women, distance, or letting each other down… nothing.

Her brow furrowed as she recognized the frustration on his handsome face. “Cale, what is it?” she whispered.

He shook his head and squeezed her hand back, rubbing his thumb over the top of her fingers. “I’ll tell you after the will is read. Let’s just get through the next couple of days.”

Macy couldn’t hear the exchange between Caleb and Wren, given their whispers and the way Caleb leaned over so he could speak into Wren’s ear. Anger boiled just beneath the surface and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She knew she had to tread carefully or risk losing him, but she could barely contain herself from an outburst; even as the wake continued around them.

After it was over and people were filing out, she bit her tongue yet again. Caleb was still hovering over Wren and Macy felt completely left out. He was polite to her, opening the doors for them both, but it was obvious in his actions and in conversations with others, where his focus was. Maybe she’d have some time alone with him in the car on the way back, given that Wren had arrived with Jonesy. Macy felt sure Wren wouldn’t allow the housekeeper to ride back to the house alone. It played out exactly like she anticipated.

Jonathan hugged Wren goodbye as the five of them parted ways in the parking lot. Wren and Jonesy climbed into the back of the black sedan, Jonathan left in his own car, and she and Caleb were soon securely inside his father’s car. They traveled caravan style back toward the estate.

It was dark and the lights of the city raced by the outside of the car, their reflections cast on the windows. Caleb’s face bore the glow of the blue dashboard light. It was obvious he was deep in thought, but Macy didn’t care. She was almost bursting with the words that she needed to say.

“What will happen tomorrow?” she asked.

One shoulder lifted in a slight shrug as he rested one hand casually on the wheel as he drove. “There will be a short service, then a few people at the house for lunch followed by the reading of the will in early evening. You don’t have to stay for that if you want to catch a flight after lunch.” His tone was casual and flat.

“You don’t need to keep saying that.” Macy was hurt and angry, but she tried to bite back a nasty retort. “So the will gets read, then you come home to San Francisco on Tuesday?”

He shook his head absently. “I’m not sure. With an estate this size, who knows when it will all be sorted?”

Macy turned to look at him more directly, her mouth tight. “What’s to figure out? It all goes into escrow, Jonathan handles everything, and we get back to our life, right?”

The muscle in Caleb’s jaw started to twitch and he shot her an irritated glance. “You shouldn’t be so presumptive.” He shook his head. He was tired of the cat and mouse game with Macy and he needed to lay it all out for her. “I may go back to San Francisco for a couple of weeks, but ultimately, I’ll be coming back to Denver to head up Lux.”

Macy’s mouth opened and then she shut it again. She’d knew she’d better consider her words carefully because he hadn’t exactly been loving or open to her since they’d arrived at this Godforsaken place. “I see. Well,” she started slowly. “I’ll have to resign and sublet my apartment, as will you, but—”

“No. I will, but you won’t. I’m doing this alone, Macy.”

“What?” She was stunned. “But, Caleb—.”

He shook his head again. “Shit happens. The estate is massive. I can’t just dump it on Jonathan, even if I wanted to. He’s an old man.”

“Then hire someone else!” she spat angrily. “You don’t f*ck your whole life just because your dad dies.”

He huffed shortly. “It’s not just my father dying, but thanks for your compassion.”

Macy’s eyes narrowed and fury made her skin flush with heat. She wished to hell she’d followed her instincts and snuck into Jonathan’s office to eavesdrop on their conversation. At least, she wouldn’t be blindsided but Caleb’s change in plans. Her lips pressed into an irritated line and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. This had to be about the sister.