That was it. “Leanna came to see me yesterday and she was very upset and I went after her,” he stated with just a hint of defiance. “She’s important to me and I couldn’t just let her go with the way we left things. I…she…” He sighed. “I was the reason she was upset and it bothered me. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her so…I made the snap decision to go after her. I knew Eric could handle things but there was no one there for Leanna.”
His father’s expression was mild as he slowly lowered his glass. “Interesting.”
“Dad…”
“I’m very impressed, Brody. In a million years I never would have guessed it was a personal reason that you left–and certainly not over a woman.” He paused. “She’s the one you’re bringing to lunch next weekend, right?”
“As long as nobody cancels,” he murmured, reaching for his own glass.
“No one’s going to do that again. There were extenuating circumstances, but I’ll make sure everything goes as scheduled.” He paused again. “Maybe I’ll wait on making a decision about Eric and the promotion.”
“That’s not necessary, Dad,” he said, seeing his opening to share his stance on where he saw his future. “Actually, I’ve been thinking…”
“Hey! Sorry I’m late!” Travis said as he walked up to the table.
“Late?” Brody asked. “I didn’t realize you were invited.”
“Well that was rude,” his brother said with a snort. Once he was seated, he grinned at his father. “I got held up on the call with the San Diego people but everything’s good now.”
“That’s wonderful, Travis. Thank you for taking the time to handle it. I appreciate it. Not everyone takes their responsibilities seriously these days.”
Oh, good Lord…
“What are you talking about?” Travis asked.
Brody had to sit back and listen to his father tell the very exaggerated version of what happened yesterday. As soon as he was done, Brody told his version.
“Wait, so you left because of the baker chick?”
“Her name is Leanna and I’m getting tired of making that correction,” he all but growled.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize that was still going on.”
“No one expected it,” his father chimed in. “We all just thought she was a good distraction for the one weekend so your brother would behave himself and not upset you and Charlene.”
“I thought she’d be good for his image,” Travis went on. “You know, he started relaxing a bit and was becoming more likable.”
They talked about him as if he weren’t even there and it was a struggle not to lose his temper.
“I’m all for him relaxing but when she becomes a distraction that keeps him from his job, then I have a problem,” his father replied matter-of-factly. “We all manage to balance our personal lives and our professional ones.”
“Yes, but it’s new to him. I’m sure in time he’ll see…”
“I’m right here, dammit!” Brody snapped. “And I don’t appreciate this line of conversation. It was one meeting in a span of almost a dozen years of work and I refuse to sit here and have you both belittle me because of it!”
Everyone grew silent–including those in the tables around them–and thankfully their waitress returned to take his brother’s order. It was the perfect reprieve and as soon as she was gone, Travis had the good sense to change the subject.
“Charlene and I are having our final meeting with the wedding planners next week. She’s still a little disappointed that we aren’t getting to use the company jet for our honeymoon or go to Europe, but…” He shrugged. “I still think everything is fantastic.”
“You need to reel her in a little, Travis,” his father replied sharply. “She’s a lovely girl, but a little bit on the spoiled side. If we didn’t say no to some things, who knows what else she would have asked for.”
Brody was relieved that he wasn’t the only one feeling that way and then wondered why his father had given him so much grief when he brought up this exact issue before the engagement party.
“She’s not spoiled, Dad. She just wants the wedding she always dreamed of.”
His father frowned, his annoyance obvious. “A four-day engagement party was uncalled for and the act of a spoiled brat.”
Looking uncomfortable, Travis shifted in his seat. “Now you sound like Brody.”
“He was right! It was a circus! And I’ve had more than a few calls from the event planner about the wedding because your bride-to-be likes to keep adding demands on my staff. Reel her in now, Travis, or your life is going to be hell. You’ll never be able to please a woman like that because she’ll always be asking for more.”
Before his brother could respond, Brody interrupted. “Excuse me, why was it when I mentioned this, I was treated like public enemy number one who had to be confined to the bakery trailer so I didn’t upset anyone?”
“This isn’t the time, Bro,” Travis said wearily, but their father had no problem explaining.
“We were already knee-deep in that ridiculous event and it was too late to change it. Honestly, we were all exhausted at that point and it was just easier to keep you quiet than tell Travis they had to scale it back.”
“Wait, what?” Travis demanded.
“Are you serious?” Brody asked in the same tone–not that their father was even remotely put out.
“When Daren got married, everything was simple and elegant. Normal,” he added for Travis’ benefit. “But he’s always been the more level-headed out of all of you. Then you and Charlene come along and she immediately wanted to put the King Hospitality staff to work. At first I didn’t mind, but then I find out she has an event planner in the family and only utilized her for the cakes! Leanna’s company is one of the best in this region and yet that wasn’t good enough for her? I knew right then and there that she was going to be a handful.”
Beside him, his brother sputtered and tried to defend his fiancée, but ultimately, nothing came out.
“And you,” his father said, turning to him. “I figured if you ever got married that you’d fall somewhere in between your brothers. Hell, I still believe you’d rather elope or get married at a courthouse while on your lunchbreak rather than deal with everything that goes into a wedding and being on display like that.” Pausing, he took another sip of his water. “I wonder where our real drinks are. Has anyone seen our waitress?”
“Dad…”
“But here’s the thing, Brody, I have no idea if you’re serious enough with Leanna that you’re thinking of marriage, but if you are, I would be more open to allowing you the company jet and pay for your honeymoon to France or Italy.” He glanced at Travis before returning his attention to Brody. “Why? Because I greatly doubt Leanna would be as demanding as her cousin. I’ll have to get to know her better at lunch next weekend.”
At that point, both brothers were rendered speechless and it was just as well. Lunch had just arrived.
Clapping his hands together, his father grinned. “Everything looks delicious! Who’s hungry?”