“Excuse me, Uncle John?” a young voice rang out, and a small version of Savi in a sweet black and white dress approached. A bright red ribbon was tied in her hair, and she wore shiny black shoes with a silver buckle on the side.
“Yes, little lady.” He reached out and brushed the back of his finger down her cheek.
She leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
“I see.” He nodded, and she continued to softly chat in his ear.
“That might be a Daddy question.”
She gave a quick glance over to Cole before she spoke out loud. “Oh, Uncle John, you know what he’ll say.”
“What would I say?” Cole asked.
“Daddy, it’s rude to come into a conversation that you’re not a part of.”
Cole turned to Savi. “Whoa, who does that sound like?” Savi covered her mouth to stop her smile while she pointed at herself.
“If you’re talking about me, shouldn’t I be in it?”
“No,” they both answered without looking at him.
“Ah ha,” Cole huffed and tried to hide his amusement.
“I think it’s fine, Livi.” John wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“Will you join me later?”
“I’ll try.” She reached up and gave him a hug before she hurried off downstairs.
“Pssst,” Savi whispered to John, who made a motion like he was playing the piano. “Oh, okay.”
I stayed quiet through the rest of dinner in order to observe the men and their families. A few things were for sure. They all loved and respected one another. Shit and insults were tossed out constantly, but there was always a line they never crossed, and when Livi returned a while later and sat on her father’s lap, the tone at the table lowered and the topic was immediately changed to kid-friendly things.
I’d heard many stories over the years about the great team Blackstone, but I never thought I would be here at their massive dinner table surrounded by their stories and laughter.
“Thank you so much, Savi. Dinner was amazing.” I threaded my arms through the sleeves of my jacket.
“I’m really glad you joined us. Breakfast is normally around eight, but if you sleep in, as I’m sure you must be tired after your travels today, you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen. Our house is yours. Oh, and here.” She handed me a basket. “Just a few things you might need and want down at Tin House.”
I thought it was sweet they called it that. “That’s very thoughtful.” I leaned in and hugged the woman who felt more like a sister in one night than my best friend had ever been.
John appeared with his coat and took the basket from my arms.
“I’ll walk you back down to the house.”
“Oh,” I wasn’t excepting that, “okay.”
“Have a good night.” Savi closed the door behind us with a devilish grin.
Once again, my heels tried to find their way through the gravel, and my balance was slightly tested.
“I get women love heels, and so do I, but those are not Montana boots.”
“Are you more of a four-inch heel guy, or do you go big and do six?” I teased.
“Six,” he responded, deadpan.
“Now, that I’d like to see.” I laughed. “Listen, I spend a lot of time either in a book or a courtroom, so any chance I have to wear my boots or high heels like these, I do.”
“I’m not complaining, just pointing out the simple fact that you’re,” I stumbled, and he caught my arm, “going to break your ankle.”
“Yeah, but what a way to go.”
He smirked, and I couldn’t help but stare.
“What?”
“You just really looked like an Eastwood.”
“I hate Savi.”
“Why?” I started to move again. “How is that not a compliment? I would love for someone to say I looked like a sexy celebrity.”
“Are you calling me sexy?”
“I…” This time, I stumbled over my own words. “I’m just saying…” A loud panting noise caught my attention, and I froze. “Do,” my words froze in my throat, “you hear that?”
Suddenly, John stood straighter and stepped next to me then shouted in a big, booming voice, “Stop!”
In a blur, a giant German shepherd came to a screaming halt in front of us, his tongue lolling out of his mouth while he waited for his next command.
“Oh!” I loved dogs. “Who is this big fella?” I bent down and held my hand out toward him.
“Okay,” John ordered, and the dog wagged his huge tail and licked my hand. “This is Tripper.”
“Hi, Tripper. Nice to meet you.” I rubbed his ears as he pushed his head into my stomach. “Oh, my, you’re a big baby, aren’t you?”
“Not normally.” John chuckled. “Normally, he will get in between me and whoever is with me.”
“It’s because you know I wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I addressed the dog and kissed the side of his face. His happy noise told me he liked it. “Oh, someone likes kisses, doesn’t he? You’re a big flirt.” If a dog could look deliriously happy, his face was a picture of it.
“Seriously, Tripper?” John shook his head. “Compose yourself.”
“Don’t listen to him.” I let him kiss my face. “I love a dog that loves to be loved.”
“This dog has taken down more men than I can count. I’m not exactly sure what’s happening right now.” Tripper was now on his back, paws in the air, waiting for a belly scratch. John looked mortified. “He’s like a big baby with you.”
I stood, and John stared at me. “What?”
“Nothing.” He gently took my arm and walked me toward the little house with Tripper glued to my side, only stopping when we reached the door.
“So, the twins convinced you to play their game?” He gave me a sideways glance.
“Actually, I asked to play. Liam couldn’t get past level one, so I offered some tips.”
“Impressive.” He nodded.
“Yes, my video game skills are widely talked about.”
John opened the door with a chuckle, set the basket on the table, and went in to turn on the fireplace and a few lights.
“It will take a few moments, but the place will warm up.”
“I don’t mind the cold.”
“Good, because winter is coming in fast this year.”
We both stood by the door as Tripper pushed inside and crawled up on the couch.
“No, Tripper, you can’t stay here.”
“Can he?” I interrupted. “I mean, I don’t know if he stays with you, but I’d love the company.”
John eyed the fur ball on the couch and looked back at me. “Well, all right, I guess. But just so you know, the grounds are protected twenty-four-seven. No one can get in or out without someone knowing.”
“Good to know.” I removed my jacket.
“Well, goodnight, Sloane.” He looked over at the dog and made a face. “Night, traitor.” Tripper’s tail beat the couch cushion, totally comfy already.
“Thanks, John.”
I went to the window to watch him walk back up the path. When I turned back around, Tripper tilted his head to one side as he watched me.