Angel Falling (Falling #1)(57)

The guys followed me into the kitchen where Ma was dishing out lunch. Gusto ran over to help.

“I got this, Gusto.”

“What is this?” he asked, his accent thick.

“Pigs in a blanket, silly.” Ma handed him one and he ate it.

His face screwed into what I think was pleasure. You could never really tell with the man. He always seemed pissed off.

“You must teach me this!” he exclaimed, his tone serious.

“Alright, but only if you teach me how to make those crepe thingies,” Ma offered.

The rest of us guys loaded our plates with food, grabbed fresh brewskies, more chips and dip, then made our way onto the large outdoor balcony to grub. Dean broke out some cigars and we enjoyed them with our beers. The tobacco mixed with beer and guys made me feel right at home. I liked Dean and Nate, more than I thought I would. Dean was more quiet than I was used to, but when he spoke he had us all in stitches. The fella was funny.

Nate was an interesting fella, as well. He talked a lot and had tons of useless knowledge about football. Though in England, it actually was soccer. Turned out he preferred soccer to football and it took us awhile to figure out he wasn’t referring to the NFL game we enjoyed. He even wore a European team jersey in a bright green with white and black wording and stripes. Some of the things he said were hard to figure out. He spoke English but used words I’d never heard before. After a few beers, it didn’t matter. When I didn’t understand him, I just shrugged and let Dean translate.

Mac seemed to be having a good time. A couple times he’d leave the room to take a call on his cellphone. It was the off weekend so he spent a good deal of time on the phone with his wife. Lisa was great. She understood he had to work, but I could tell Mac missed her somethin’ awful.

Seein’ him sore about not being with his wife and kids helped solidify the idea about expanding the business. I wasn’t ready to tell Aspen about the idea yet. We hadn’t talked about where this thing between us was going but one thing I knew for certain, I wanted to be where she was. Period.

At the third quarter I asked Mac to follow me into Aspen’s study. He looked concerned when I leaned against the desk. Memories of what I did to my Angel last night were fresh and I smiled like an idiot.

“What’s up man?” Mac asked.

“What would you say if I told ya I was thinking ‘bout expanding Jensen Construction?”

Mac’s eyes widened and a smile broke across his hairy face. The man didn’t shave on the weekends. Said if he wasn’t kissin’ his wife he could enjoy being a man. “I’d say it’s about damn time, boss!”

I laughed. “So, I’m thinking about opening up an office here in New York City.”

Mac’s smile slipped off his face. “Hank, I really don’t want to work for anyone else, but I can’t move my family to NYC. It’s not an option. Lisa would kill me for even suggestin’ such a thing … and I,” he started to make excuses but I shook my head.

“I’m thinking about movin’ here and opening the office. Keeping the one back home and promoting someone to foreman and manager of the Texas branch. Know anyone who’d be good for it?” I grinned.

Mac’s smile came back like a shot. “Shit Hank. You offerin’ me the opportunity to run the office back home?”

“If I can get the capital together and set up shop here, yes, I reckon I am.”

Mac took off his cowboy hat and ruffled his fingers through his hat hair. “Shoot, boss, I’d be honored and I wouldn’t let you down. You’re like a brother to me. And Lisa and the kids think you’re family. I’d be proud to do it.”

“Alright then. I’ll let you know in the next couple weeks what the plan is. Don’t get too excited; nothin’ has happened yet, but I trust you and couldn’t do it if I didn’t have a good man on the ground in Texas.” I slapped him on the back as we made our way back to the game.


There was a commotion in the kitchen and I ran over. Aspen and Oliver had made it back and were laughing at Gusto and Ma, who were having a flour fight.

“Hey, hey, hey. What in God’s name are you two up to?” They both turned to the growing group of onlookers. Ma’s hair was white, flour coating the entire surface. Gusto was worse for the wear. He had flour and butter stuck all over his white jacket and a glob stuck to his cheek. His hair was also white from flour. Looks like Ma got some good shots in.

“My goodness, Gustav, I’m shocked!” Aspen said and he looked down and shuffled his feet.

“Oh, she’s just joshin’ ya, Gusto. Relax, Partner. You’re not in trouble. Looks like you and Ma got the best of each other.” We all laughed as the rest of the guys made their way into the kitchen.

“Commercial break,” Dean said, and hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the media room. “The Jets got a field goal and its back to a tie game.”

“Thanks for the update, Pal.” Aspen snuggled in and I tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. “Afternoon, Angel.” I pecked her on the lips. “How was work?”

Oliver cringed and hugged Dean, rubbing his face into Dean’s chest. Dean wrapped his arms around the man, perfectly comfortable with being with Oliver in front of others. You didn’t see it a lot back home, but it didn’t bother me. You could tell that Dean felt very protective over Oliver. ‘Bout as much as I did for Aspen.