What We Find (Sullivan's Crossing, #1)(82)

“Well, I work construction when I can. And I do a lot of built-ins for rich folks up on the ridge. Those are my best jobs.”

“But this is incredible. How’d you do it?”

“Well, hell, Cal—I had eighteen years to work on it! And my dad and brother helped. I had four kids and just got by the best I could—they were awful generous with their time. I try to help my folks and brother, too. You know, when we all work on the same team, stuff gets done.”

Cal finished his sandwich and asked for a tour of the house and was astonished by the finishing detail work, not to mention the fact that a man and four kids lived in the house and it was spotless. “I run a tight ship,” Tom said. “I have to.”

“I think you’re amazing.”

“Cal, what’s going on with my wife?” Tom asked.

Cal put his hands in his pockets and looked squarely at Tom. “I’m not at liberty to share our professional conversation, Tom. That’s the law—I could lose my license over it. But I can tell you a couple of things you already know, the most important being—she’s not your wife anymore, Tom. And you told me yourself—this isn’t the first time. That’s just fact.”

“She said it was always a misunderstanding...”

Cal just looked at Tom, great sympathy in his heart for the man.

“I’ve been kidding myself, haven’t I?”

Cal didn’t respond because he couldn’t.

“Becky is one of the sweetest, most considerate women I’ve ever known,” Tom said. “She’s so loving and kind. She really cares about her kids and the kids love her.”

“She’s their mother,” Cal said. “While not all mothers are so wonderful, I’m glad to know she’s a loving mother.”

“But...?”

“Tom, you’re going to have to figure this out for yourself. I wish I could somehow make this easier for you but the truth is, there’s nothing more I can tell you. I’m just glad we managed to work out this court case so neatly. You’re going to have to take it from here.”

“I’ll pay you somehow.” He laughed uncomfortably. “I don’t even know what a lawyer gets for a case like this.”

Cal put a hand on Tom’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about that, buddy. We’re friends. We help each other when we can. Right?”

“Right. Well,” he said, rubbing a hand around the back of his neck. “Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it.”

*



July ended toasty and warm, the lake was refreshing and the landscape was lush. The garden was plentiful and since his schedule wasn’t demanding most days, Cal was out on the trails several times a week for a few hours. He came across the search-and-rescue team running exercises along the mountain face, climbing a steep rock and rappelling down. He watched Jackson training with them for a while, wearing his rock climbing rigging proudly.

Cal thought he might have to try that one day soon. Then he looked straight up to the top of that mountain and almost swooned. He decided he could probably find better things to do with his time. Some of the trails that wound around the steep side of the mountain were challenging enough.

Maggie, however, was like a goat. She went along with him sometimes; she was sure-footed and lithe. They usually didn’t talk until they reached a summit and relaxed, enjoying the view. They’d sit, guzzle a pint or so of water, let the breeze cool them and unwind before they talked.

“I think you’re starting to like Colorado,” Maggie said.

“Colorado has a lot to offer,” he said, putting his arm around her.

“What are the chances you’ll stick around?”

“I haven’t made any plans to leave yet, Maggie. You getting tired of me?”

She laughed. “Do I act like I’m getting tired of you? You’re almost like one of the family. If you leave now it might upset Sully more than me.”

“I hope that’s not true. I haven’t spent much time with Phoebe and don’t know Walter yet.”

“I don’t want to scare you off,” she said. “I’ve been wondering—how did it feel, doing a little lawyer work?”

“Very familiar,” he said with a laugh. “It wouldn’t be a big deal to rent space, take a few clients here and there. I don’t want to make any fast moves,” he added.

“I know you’re in flux, that you left Michigan in a state of grief and by the time you got here you weren’t sure what kind of life you wanted. Are you getting any closer to knowing? Like where you want to be? How you want to live? Work? Any of that?”

“I kind of like the life I have right now. It’s satisfying.”

“What about lawyering?”

“Turns out there’s a use for me in that regard, as well,” he said. “I worked a little bit.”

“But were you paid?”

“I’ll be paid one way or another,” Cal said. “But then it turns out I don’t need much money, living off my girl like I am.”

“I’m your girl, am I?”

“I’d say we’re pretty attached. Wouldn’t you say?”

“What I want to know, Cal, is will you ever be able to talk about the future? Because I might want to. Talk about the future.”