Page 14 of Condor’s Vow

Chapter 6

“I know don’t you want to face this, Todd, but the fact is, he’s a danger to himself and others.” Hattie had known this conversation wouldn’t be easy, but her brother was being a stubborn ass, and she was losing her patience with him. They were having dinner at their favorite restaurant, a family-run bistro serving home-cooked Italian food.

Their family had been eating there since she was a kid, and every time she walked in, Mr. Russo always asked about her dad and always sent food home with her for him. It made Hattie sad to think her father didn’t know how many people cared about him. The death of her mother had affected them all, especially after what happened with Todd, but her father had lost his soul mate, and it seemed to break something inside him.

As a nurse, she understood that dementia didn’t work that way, but as a daughter watching her father go through it and seeing the direct correlation between the loss and his dementia, she wondered if she was wrong.

Todd was seated opposite her and Martin, next to his husband, Kai. Her brothers were both good looking men, tall as she was short, built to her petite frame, but they all had their mother’s blue eyes. Todd was six feet two inches of alpha male. His coming out shortly after his accident had been the bravest thing she had ever seen and a bit of a shock to her parents, but she and Martin had both known about Todd’s sexuality. It hadn’t made a bit of difference to either of them.

Her parents had gotten over the shock quickly, and she was glad her mom had met Kai before she died.

“It’s not that I don’t want to face it.”

Kai laid a hand on Todd’s arm, and he turned toward his husband of four years. “Yes, it is, Todd, but Hattie is right. If he’s as bad as she says, then he needs more help and so does she.”

Todd looked at her then back to Kai before he sighed and glanced at Martin. “What about you? You’re unusually quiet.”

Martin shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “If Hattie needs help, then she gets it. I know Dad wanted to stay at home as long as possible, which is why I’ve been reluctant to move forward, but if the time has come for him to go into some kind of assisted living, then so be it.”

“I know this is hard, Todd, it breaks my heart, but I went in the other day and the oven was on and smoking, and he was sitting in the chair watching the football without a care in the world.” Hattie took her brother’s hand and squeezed when she saw the magnitude of the situation settle on him.

“I know we need to do this. I just hate that we need to sell the house to do it.”

“I actually have an idea about that. I have some savings put away and with a loan, I can probably buy the house. It won’t be the same, I know, but this way it stays with the family.”

Martin cocked his head, looking just like their father. He had served in the army but was now working as a consultant for film crews on stunts. She was immensely proud of him and Todd, and knew they were of her, too. They just didn’t get the responsibility she felt for their dad like she did.

“That gonna put you under financial pressure?”

Hattie knew it would be tight, but honestly, it was worth it. Her childhood home was beautiful, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great yard in a safe part of town. She may never meet the one and have a family, but if she did, this was where she’d want to be when she did. Her mind flitted to Clay and she grinned, wondering if perhaps she had met the one, but it was too soon for those kinds of thoughts.

Hattie concentrated on her brother’s intense look. “A little, but I’m due a raise at work, and if I do the advanced practitioner’s course, I’ll get another. It’s doable, and I love the house.”

“What was that look?”

Hattie turned to Todd and Kai as she pushed her empty plate away. “What look?”

Todd raised his eyebrows and gave her a no-bullshit look. “Don’t start with me. The secret smile and the blush that right this second is crawling over your face.”

“I think that’s the look I got when I met you, Toddy.” Kai grinned at her, and she scowled, causing him to laugh. Kai was like an extra brother to her, and she loved him, but right now she’d happily kick his ass.

Todd gave her a mischievous grin. “Have you met someone?”

Hattie groaned inwardly and dropped her head to her arms on the table, banging it lightly before she looked up. “It’s new.”

“But you like him? What does he do? Is he hot?”

“Yes, FBI, yes.” She responded to each question without elaboration.

“Oooh, a hot badass. I like it. When can we meet him?”

Hattie almost choked on her wine as she stalled. “I told you it’s new, so not yet.”

“But you do like him.”

“Jeez, Todd, yes I like him. He’s handsome and kind and funny. He’s a protector. He works hard and is considerate. What’s not to like?”

Todd reached forward and took her hands in his much larger ones, the protective brother finally winning out. “So why the frown?”