A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain)

REED

I guess Melody is growing on me.

She stares my father down, while his mouth opens and closes like a fish’s.

“I thought you wanted to travel,” he finally manages to spit out. “I was keeping my promises to you.”

“Honey, I appreciate that. My ex never kept a single promise he ever made. But I never asked you to turn your back on everyone else in your life. Our trip can wait.”

“You don’t know that,” he says, taking her face in his hands. “None of us knows how much time we’re going to get.”

I glance at Ava, whose eyes have gone soft as she watches this drama play out. And my dad is right. We never know how much time we’ve got, and I don’t want to waste another moment.

Taking Ava’s hand, I address my father. “Dad, you can still travel. I’ve been trying to tell you that. I’ll come back to Colorado and help Ava run the resort. Block might work with us on an expansion, too.”

“Wouldn’t bet on it.” My father drops his chin. “That ship has sailed.”

I look over my shoulder to make sure we’re alone before I answer him. “I was there an hour ago, and he said he’d listen.”

“Really?” My father leans back in his chair and looks up at the ceiling. “Reed, I can tell you’re serious. But I’m still not sure about roping you into this place.”

“Why?” I demand. “I love this place. It took me a long time to admit that. But I’m here now.”

My father sits up straighter and sighs. “I know why you stayed away, son. After your mother died, I was not a functional human. It took me years—long years—to get straight. And even then, I put the needs of the resort ahead of my boys. I’m sorry.”

The apology catches me off guard, and it isn’t until Ava squeezes my hand that I realize I’m staring at him. “Thank you,” I say roughly.

He shakes his head. “Your mother would be so mad at me for how bad I let things get. Even after I stopped drinking, I turned into a workaholic. That felt virtuous, but it really wasn’t. I should have spent all that energy trying to get you boys back into my life.”

“Why didn’t you?” I hear myself ask.

“Couple of reasons. First of all, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. Still don’t, I guess. But from where I sat, all three of you were doing so well. You’d graduated from one of the top business schools in the country. Weston was collecting all those medals to pin on his uniform, and Crew was on TV meeting—and beating—his idols.

“I saw all that and told myself a story—that you three were happier without me. It was real easy for me to believe that I hadn’t screwed up so badly, right? If my boys are winning at life, then I’m not so bad.”

He shakes his head. “I should have pushed harder to be with you. But I was afraid to learn anything that threatened this narrative I’d written about us. And then you came home last month, and I could finally see that it’s not all rainbows and roses. You and Ava had experienced a real loss that I knew nothing about. I could see how devastating that must have been—” He takes a deep breath, and Melody pats his hand. “I didn’t want to know how badly I’d fucked you guys up.”

“Wow. That’s… a lot.” I sit with that for a moment and try to take it in. “I think I understand us all a little better than I used to, honestly. We all had guilt.”

My dad’s smile is sad. “Maybe. But I need to figure out how to give you less of it. If that means you move here and take over, I’ll hand you the reins. But it has to be for you. I realize how risky it is to give up your fancy job. And the last thing I want is for you to resent me.”

“I won’t,” I insist. “My head is on straight, and I want this opportunity. Even if that means quitting my so-called fancy job.” I lift Ava’s hand to my mouth and kiss her palm. “I mean—Colorado has prettier views.”

Ava smiles, my dad snorts, and Melody snickers.

“All right.” My dad rises from his chair and stretches. “This meeting was a hell of a lot more interesting than I expected it to be.”

“The dismount could be awkward,” Ava whispers, eyeing the door.

A moment later, the middle Sharpe bursts back into the room. He grabs the resort contract off the table and tears it in half.

Or rather he tries to. But that sucker is like thirty pages long, and it doesn’t work. He turns red-faced trying to do it. Then, he rips the paper clip off and throws the papers up in the air. “This has been a big waste of my time. The deal is off!”

“Is it?” I ask. “I thought maybe you were a fan of confetti.”

Ava’s hand flies to her mouth as she swallows back laughter.

Sharpe throws a handful of papers into his father’s fancy briefcase. They land messily, their corners emerging from the edges. But he slams the lid anyway. “Leaking our plans was a dick move, Madigan.”

“What plans?” my father asks cheerfully. “You didn’t tell us anything about a land acquisition in town. And stonewalling us is… What did you call it?”

“A dick move,” Ava and I say at the same time.

“You were getting paid,” Sharpe snarls. “A goddamn fortune for this podunk hotel. I could have made this place into an international destination! Not worth it now. Not if I have to fight every yokel in town over the lease transfer.”

“Not worth it is right,” my father declares. “Keep your check and your liquor, son.”

“And your snake logo,” Ava adds. “And your sexism!”

But he’s already out the door.

“I’m sure he heard you,” I tell her.

She lets out a cute little growl.

“Come back to the house?” my father says. “We all need to decompress.”

“Absolutely. But can you give me a couple hours? I need to talk to Ava.”

My dad smiles broadly. “Of course! How about dinner later? I’ll grill some burgers. Melody said she’s making a new cookie.”

“Almond clouds,” Melody shares. “And I’ll make a salad.”

“What can I bring?” Ava asks beside me.

“Not a thing.” Melody pushes back her chair. “You’ve done more than your share this week, Ava. It’s time for you to get a few moments of peace.”

“Past time,” my father adds. “Take the afternoon off. I’ll head into the office and see what’s what.”

Ava blinks. “Thanks. If you’re sure…”

I tug her to stand up. “He’s sure. Now come with me, lady. We’ve got some private business to attend to.”