Page 25 of Hard Rain Coming
“You look good,” he said as she tucked into her bowl.
“Yeah?” She munched away and gave him a look.
They made small talk while she ate. Once she was done with her bowl, Vivian opened a bottle of wine for herself and then joined Jack in the living room. She took a sip, a favorite pinot noir, and let it settle before she swallowed and sat back in her chair.
“You didn’t come out in the rain to talk about my hair and skin and how good I look.” She winked at Jack. “What do you want to know?”
She’d met him five years ago by accident when she’d bumped into him at a local coffee joint, and his double espresso had ended up down the front of her cream wool jacket. He’d insisted on cleaning it, and she’d insisted that it was her fault so no way would she allow him to pay for the expense, and somehow, they’d kept in touch, and a friendship had blossomed. He’d recently lost his partner, and that wave of guilt she’d been carrying for weeks washed over her again. She was a terrible friend.
Jack pulled at the edge of his soft blue cardigan and looked as if he were considering his words. When he didn’t respond, she became concerned and leaned forward.
“I didn’t mean to stay away for so long.”
He smiled at that. “Staying away looks good on you. Literally.” Jack shrugged. “And trust me, honey, you didn’t need improvement in that area, but here we are.”
She laughed. “You’re good for my ego.”
“I live to praise.” A moment or two passed. “You need to tell me about him.”
Vivian’s smile slowly faded, and she took a generous sip of wine. Jack knew everything. All the blemishes of her past. He was the one person on the planet she’d been able to be honest with. A man who’d heard every single sin from her past. And a man who’d done nothing but listen without judgment.
He was, quite simply, the father she’d never had.
“He’s still there,” she said softly.
“I figured as much,” Jack replied with a wry grin. “But what does he look like? Has he got a big old beer belly now? Thinning hair? Lose any teeth?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “He’s…” She exhaled and shrugged. “He’s still larger than life. Hot as hell. Opinionated. Frustrating. Argumentative. His eyes are so blue, they remind me of the Caribbean, and the way he walks…well, it’s hard for me to look away. He’s quiet and still doesn’t say a lot, but he doesn’t need to. He’s perfect and edgy and hard to read, and I don’t think he likes me all that much.”
“But you’re going back.”
Why was she so damn emotional? Vivian nodded and offered up the only explanation she could.
“He kept the unicorn.”
“The unicorn?”
“It’s a long story.”
Jack studied her for a second or two. “I need to hear it one day.” He set down his glass. “I know you’ve been writing your column from Montana, but what will you do about the podcast?”
“That might be a problem. I only have one more unreleased episode. Normally, we could make it work from Montana, tape several episodes, and release them like we’ve been doing. It would take a few weeks, I guess, but I need a producer out there with me. Todd can’t come because his wife is about to give birth, so we’re trying to figure that out.”
Jack slowly nodded. “I could help you. I’m a bit of a techie, you know.”
“That’s sweet, but I don’t think you understand. You’d have to come to Montana with me.”
“That part I got.”
Vivian sat back and thought about it. This could work. They could do this. Maybe. “Are you sure? Todd can give you notes on what it is he does exactly, and he’ll organize everything.” She paused. “I mean, that is if you’re serious.”
“I am. I’ve been at loose ends without you here, and with Richard’s passing, I need a change of scenery. This will be good for the two of us.”
“I’ll call Todd tomorrow morning, and we can take a few days to get things sorted out.” She sat back, pleased with herself. “So, what was it you wanted to talk about?”
Jack froze halfway, reaching for his gin and tonic.
“When you came here, you said that you wanted to chat.” Something shifted in his eyes, and Vivian frowned. “What is it?”