“I enjoyed having her here,” Lucy says grudgingly. “But. That doesn’t change the fact that she left me short-handed for more than two weeks.”

“My fault,” I repeat. “Seriously, I take all the blame for this. And I feel sick about it, too. I hate that I cost her a job she really cared about. So I’m asking you to reconsider firing her. Please.”

“I’ve already hired a replacement, Reed. I can’t afford to take on two employees.”

Disappointment fills my gut. “Oh. I understand.”

“But…”

Just like that, I feel a burst of hope. “But what?”

“Kenneth is only able to work afternoons,” Lucy says, and it’s obvious she’s not thrilled with that. “I haven’t been able to find anyone who can fill the five-thirty a.m. shifts that Ella used to do.” She smiles. “Not many teenagers want to wake up at the crack of dawn.”

“Ella does,” I say instantly. “Her work ethic is intense. You know that.”

Lucy looks thoughtful. “Yes, I guess I do know that.”

I rest both hands against the counter and eye her hopefully. “So you’ll give her another shot?”

She doesn’t answer right away. Then she says, “I’ll think about it.”

Since that’s all I can ask for, I shake her hand, thank her for her time, and leave the bakery with a smile on my face.

For the first time since the engagement and pregnancy news, our house is Brooke-free. Brooke and her evil henchwoman, Dinah, are going to Paris for two weeks to look for a wedding dress. When Dad tells us the news, the twins release a happy whoop. Our father glares at them, then announces that we’re all having dinner together on the patio. I shrug and head outside, because as long as Brooke and Dinah aren’t eating with us, I’ve got no issues with dinner.

Our housekeeper, Sandra, places two huge casserole dishes on the patio table, which is already set for seven. “I’m heading out now,” she tells Callum. “But I left enough food in the freezer to last you boys until the end of the weekend.”

“Aw, Sandy, no. You’re going on vacation again?” Sawyer asks in dismay.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a vacation.” She sighs. “My sister just had a baby and I’m going to San Francisco to help her out for a week. I foresee many sleepless nights in my future.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Dad says with a warm smile. “An extra week, if you need it.”

Sandra snorts. “Uh-huh, and then I’ll come back and find out that these two,” she gestures at the twins, “tried to burn down my kitchen again.” Her tone firms. “I’ll see you all next week, Royals.”

Dad chuckles as the plump, dark-haired woman marches to the back door. Voices waft out of the kitchen, and then Ella hurries out the French doors.

“Sorry I’m late,” she says breathlessly. “I was on the phone.” She slides into the seat next to Callum’s. “You won’t believe who called me!”

Dad gives her an indulgent smile. I, on the other hand, am hiding my grin, because I don’t want to give anything away. But I’m pretty sure I know who called.

“Lucy!” Her blue eyes dance with excitement. “She’s willing to give me a second chance at the bakery. Can you believe that?”

“Really?” I say blandly. “That’s great news.”

From the corner of my eye, I notice East shooting me a strange look, but he doesn’t say anything.

“It’s news, all right,” Dad says in an unhappy voice.

Ella frowns at him. “You’re not happy that I got my job back?”

“I never wanted you to have a job in the first place,” he grumbles. “I’d like it if you focused all your time on your studies.”

“Are we back to this again?” She sighs loudly and reaches for the serving spoon. “I’m perfectly capable of holding a job and going to school at the same time. Now who wants lasagna?”

“Me,” the twins say in unison.

As Ella serves up food for everyone, I notice that my father and brothers are watching her every move. The twins are smiling. Dad looks pleased. East seems upset, though. Is he not glad that Ella’s back? He lost his freaking mind after she ran, so shouldn’t her presence make him happy?

“Why so quiet, East?” Dad prompts once we all start eating.

My brother shrugs. “Got nothing to say.”

The twins snicker. “Since when?” Seb cracks.

Another shrug.

“Is everything okay with you?” Dad pushes.

“Uh-huh. Everything’s A-okay in Easton Land.”

His cheerful tone worries me. I know my brother. I know he’s hurting right now, and when he’s hurting, he gets out of control. After Mom died, he hit the bottle hard. Then he started with the oxy. The gambling. The brawls. The never-ending stream of hookups.

Gideon and I managed to rein him in. We flushed the pills down the toilet. I started fighting more so I could keep an eye on him when he was down at the docks. I thought we’d gotten him under control, but now he’s spiraling again, and it kills me to see it.

Dad gives up on East and turns to Sawyer. “I haven’t seen Lauren around lately. Did you two break up?”

“Nah, we’re still together.”

That’s all Sawyer is willing to share on that subject, and Dad once again hits a wall. “Reed? Easton?” he prompts. “How’s the season going? I’m hoping to catch the game this Friday. I’ve already asked Dottie to clear my schedule.”

I can’t hide my surprise. Dad used to come to all our games when Mom was alive—they’d sit behind the home bench together and cheer like maniacs—but ever since she died, he hasn’t stepped foot in the stadium. It’s like he just stopped caring. Or maybe he never cared to begin with, and Mom was the one who dragged him to the games.

Beside me, East is equally skeptical. “What’s your angle?”

Dad’s expression collapses. I think he might be genuinely hurt. “No angle,” he says tightly. “It’s just been a while since I’ve seen my boys play.”

East snorts.

An uncomfortable silence falls over the table, until Ella finally breaks it in a tentative voice. “Callum,” she starts. “Can we talk after dinner?”