Melting Into You (Due South Book 2) (41 page)

“Does Bill know you’re ringing me? Does West?”

“West knows.”

Huh. He imagined Bill would have something to say on the subject of his youngest son taking over his kitchen, kidney disease or no kidney disease. Not that it mattered. Del wasn’t that desperate.

Turning away from the window, he caught sight of the big orange dog posing for an obligatory photo. While the woman repositioned her camera for another shot, the dog pretended to nibble on one twin’s head. The other sister shrieked with mirth. Del shuddered.

“I have a job here—a good job.” He hunched a shoulder, waiting for God to smite him for lying to his mother.

“I know. I wouldn’t ask if there were any other way. You must have a bit of paid leave due—or when was the last time you took a vacation?”

Vacation? Who the hell had the time for a vacation when you were trying to get ahead in one of the most competitive, cut-throat, diabolically insane careers? Take a vacation and you may as well take off your fucking apron—permanently.

He flexed his fingers a few times and squeezed his eyes shut. Her soft breaths puffed down the phone line, but his mom damn well knew when silence worked best.

Del’s eyes blinked open. A short ferret of a man with designer eyewear and dressed in an expensive suit, hurried across the tiled foyer toward him.

“I’ve got to go.”

“Just think about it. Due South needs you. I need you. West needs you.” A brief pause, then “And Bill needs you most of all.”

Didn’t need him thirteen years ago
. Del clenched his teeth until his molars ached. “I’ll think about it. Bye, Mom.”

He disconnected the call and shove
d the phone back in his pocket.

Then channeling his older brother’s infamous charm, he stuck out his hand with a confident smile and pr
epared to eat a double helping of humble pie.

###

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