The kid was actually teetering, but she didn’t want to push.
“Now wait a damn minute,” Bart said, trying to take control. “I’m his guardian, and the government says so.”
Nikki’s heart sank. This was about money, just as Pierce had predicted.
“That doesn’t need to change,” Pierce said. “Toby’s got a few more months of social security coming his way, and you’ll get it. We won’t interfere. It’s just that I know you aren’t always getting along, so this is a way to make things easier. For both of you.”
Bart’s face tightened. He wasn’t buying it. “His benefits stay with me. And you get …?”
“Someone in the apartment over the garage. If he wants to make some money, he can do yard work or walk the dogs.”
“You’re not going to charge him rent?” Bart asked, clearly astounded.
Nikki reiterated, “No rent.”
Bart clarified. “And he can come and go as he pleases?”
“They’ll be some house rules,” Nikki replied.
Pierce added, “He has to finish school. Go everyday, and we’ll get reports.”
“But I keep the money?” Bart wanted to nail that fact down.
“Right.” Pierce nodded.
“Dad?” Toby asked.
“It’s up to you,” his father said with a snort. “They’re right, I guess. You’re almost an adult. Do what you want!” And since he’d locked up what he wanted in the bargain, Nikki guessed, he went inside. Nikki watched him through the window as he lit a cigarette, then, using the remote, turned up the volume on the TV.
“Okay, so there you have it. It’s up to you,” Pierce said. “Just let us know. Come on,” he said to Nikki, taking her hand and starting for the Jeep.
“Hey! Wait a minute.”
They stopped midway in the yard. “You’re not pressing charges? About the, well, you know, your car?”
“The vandalism?” she said. “No, not yet.” She raised her eyebrows. “But it better not happen again.”
He didn’t reply, but she saw his Adam’s apple bobble as he swallowed hard.
“And please, Toby, think about our offer. You’d be safe there, and it’s relatively private.” She offered him a bit of a smile. “And the price is right.”
Again, he didn’t answer, but at least she thought, or more truthfully, she hoped, that she and Pierce had gotten through.
Fingers crossed.
Two days later, she got her answer. She’d taken the girls to the horse barns, where Phee had announced that she was getting a new riding instructor. “Miss Annabelle” was no longer giving lessons. “It’s because she’s gonna have a baby,” Phee said, sounding disgusted as she tossed her gear into the back seat.
“Is she?”
“Yep. And she’s getting married to some old grandpa!”
“Archer.”
“She calls him Archie,” Phee said and slid into her seat.
“Of course she does.” Nikki knew that. “So who’s your new instructor?”
“Gia.” Phee sighed theatrically as she stuffed her earbuds into her ears.