Somebody to Love (Gideon's Cove #3)(67)

Collier shook his head as if coming out of a daydream. “Anyway, Jim, with Harry Welles in jail, you must be looking for a job. Want me to ask around? I know a lot of people.”

As you’ve told us. “I’m fine on my own, but thanks,” he said. “It’s James, by the way.”

“So why did you retire from Microsoft?” Althea asked, pushing around her charred bananas.

“It’s hard to say,” Collier answered. “I guess I wanted to be more than Bill’s right hand. Not that he isn’t one of my closest friends, right? I mean, just last week, he and Melinda and the kids and I had the nicest time. Have you been to their place? It’s beautiful.”

“Well, it’s getting a little late,” Maggie said. “We’re getting married in two days, and we have a ton to do. Thanks so much for a wonderful night, Collier.”

“It’s always great to see you, Maggie,” Collier said. “Best wishes for a long and fruitful marriage. See you in a week or so. I’m sure you’ll make a beautiful bride.”

And off went the happy couple. The rest of the dinner guests weren’t so lucky. Althea insisted they stay longer, Vin was working on her third plate of bananas Foster, and Parker seemed to be having a fine time.

The thing was, the idiot known as Collier was the answer to all of Parker’s financial worries for several lifetimes at least. Richer than God. Richer, perhaps, than Harry had been. And with Althea pushing Parker like a broodmare…

“No, she was only in labor for a few hours. Born to be a mother.”

“True,” Parker said, smiling. “Want to see a picture? Not of childbirth, but of my son?” She pulled out her phone and handed it to Collier.

“Oh, he’s beautiful!” Collier exclaimed. “Wow. What a cute kid.” He slid his finger on the screen to view another shot. “Aw, man! Adorable. I love kids.”

Of course he did. The guy was flippin’ perfect. He and Parker should have a double wedding with Maggie and Malone.

“Parker, I’d love for you to stay here, at least for a few days,” Collier said now. “Really! Come on, let me show you the guest suite. Well, it’s one of three, actually. Your mom took the Osprey’s Nest, but the Loon and the Puffin are both available. They have Jacuzzis, too, if you like that sort of thing. Me, I like to start the day off with an early-morning swim, and man, that tub feels incredible when you get back.”

See? Perfect. The Paragon might’ve been taken, but here was another one, dying to hook up with her.

“That’s okay,” Parker said. “I’m fine—”

“Parker, don’t be silly!” Althea said. “Go see the suite! Go! They’re beautiful! And this is, in a way, your ancestral home.”

“At least see what you’re turning down,” Collier said. He stood up and took her hand. “Come on, it’s really pretty!”

Parker hesitated. James said nothing. “Okay,” she said. “Then I really have to go home.”

“That shack is not your home, dear,” Althea said. “This is much more what you’re used to. I’ll come, too.”

The three of them left the room.

“You want another drink, Vin?” James asked.

“Nah, I’m good.” She leaned back in her chair and cracked her knuckles. “You gonna sit on your ass, son, and let him take your girl?”

“She’s not my girl.”

“Seems like you’d like her to be.”

He gave her a dark look. She shrugged. “How’s the judge?” he asked.

“He’s still got it,” she answered. “Been a few decades, and things have all dropped a few inches, if you know what I’m saying, but he’s still got it.”

James couldn’t help laughing.

“How about you, sweetheart?” she asked. “What are your plans after this summer?”

Excellent question. “Not really sure, Vin. Gotta find a job.”

“Ayuh. It’s been nice having you back around. You sure were a sad sack back then.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “I dated your uncle for a while, remember?”

“Uh…no.”

“Well, it was one of those fast-and-furious love affairs, you know? Burned out pretty fast. It was hot while it lasted, though.”

“That’s… Yeah. Okay.”

Lavinia sighed fondly. “Oh, good, here they come. I gotta get home and put some Bengay on my back.”

Althea, Collier and Parker came back into the dining room.

“You sure?” Collier was saying. “Tell me that bathroom didn’t tempt you.”

“It’s beautiful, Collier,” Parker said. “But I’m fine in the cottage. It’s very cute.”

“I think you’re being silly,” Althea said. “But do what you will! You always do. She’s got her own ideas, Collier.”

“Which I totally respect,” he said.

“I’ll drive these two back,” Lavinia announced cheerfully. “No need for you to get in the car again, Collier. And hey, thanks for inviting me. It was great to see the old place again.”

James offered Collier his hand. “Thanks for including me,” he said.