So Wright (The Wrights 1)

It was only five o’clock, but his dad ate early now. Turned in early too. Jon’s whole life had shrunk to fit into just a few hours of the twenty-four available.

“I’m not hungry.”

This was another problem, Jon’s lack of appetite. His dad had lost at least twenty pounds in the last six months. Jack tried to remember some of his father’s favorite foods.

“What do you say I order a big baguette and some brie from the deli?” Jack asked.

His father’s gaze veered toward Jack but didn’t focus. “Well, that doesn’t sound too bad.”

Jack would take what he could get. He stood and turned toward the door.

“Your mother loved this song.”

Jack’s ears perked, searching for music. A Lexus commercial played on the television with some kind of classical soundtrack. Mozart maybe? Jack instantly recalled how his own mood had changed when Luke Bryan brought back Jack’s memory of Miranda.

Jen said that looking at photos of their mother only caused Jon pain. But the watery smile on his dad’s face now made Jack think music might bring Jon joy.

Jack went to the kitchen in search of the local deli’s phone number. He was just about to dial when he received an incoming call from his office in New York. “This is Jack.”

“Hey, Jack.” Defeat and fatigue dragged at Bill’s voice. The senior partner at Jack’s architectural firm had stopped burning the midnight oil years ago, letting the younger crowd shoulder that burden. “I’m really sorry to bother you while you’re dealing with your dad.”

“Not a problem, Bill. Is something wrong?”

“Kelsey is having complications with her pregnancy. Her blood pressure is in the danger zone, and they’ve put her on bed rest until she delivers. She called it pre-something.”

“Preeclampsia,” Jack said. “Jen had it with Joshua. Kelsey and the baby are okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. They’re both fine now. The thing is, there’s just too much work to have you both out indefinitely.”

His stomach dropped a few inches. They wanted him back at the office. Back in New York. Several states away from his new infatuation. The one who’d left his hotel room and, as far as he knew, hadn’t looked back.

“I want to give you time to work things out at home, but we’ve run into a problem with one of Kelsey’s projects—the shopping center in Los Angeles. I hate to ask, but you’re the only person with the experience required to handle a project that size and complexity.”

Jack’s eyes slid closed. His shoulders sank. “Sure, I understand.”

“I’d like to tell you it’s a one-time thing, but with Kelsey out, there’s no telling. For now, if you could help us out by being flexible, maybe flying where we need you out of Nashville for the time being? Until you get things handled with your dad?”

“Of course.” But he had a boulder in his stomach now. He thought ahead, to eighteen-hour days, seven days a week on top of travel. Unable to support Jen. Unable to spend time with Dad. Killing any possibility of something more with Miranda. “Send me the info on Kelsey’s project or have her call me. Once I get that straightened out, I’ll check in with you to see how things are going at the office.”

“That’s a good plan.”

Jack disconnected with the weight of the world on his shoulders again, which was when he realized just how good he’d been feeling about having this time to dedicate to his family.

As soon as he put the phone down, Jack heard the front door open. Jacob’s and James’s footsteps clattered on the hardwood, followed by Jen’s plea for them not to run. But the boys bounded into the kitchen and ran straight for Jack.

He crouched to catch them and pulled them both into his lap, dropping a kiss on each sweaty head. “Hey, little monsters.”

They smelled like little boys who’d been playing hard. They were also whiney, tired after ten hours at day care. By the time they wiggled back to the floor, Jen had eased to a seat on a barstool. Jack took Joshua from her arms to give her a break.

“Thanks,” she said on a sigh. “How’s Dad?”

“Oh.” He tipped his head side to side. “About the same. I was just going to put in an order at the deli for him. Can I add dinner for you and the boys?”

Jen closed her eyes on a sigh. “That sounds ridiculously amazing.”

After getting their preferences, Jack added soup and sandwiches for Jen, James, and Jacob.

When he disconnected, Jen was going through the mail. “Did you order yourself something?”