“Mr. Lantz, it’s just some everyday stuff—nothing valuable.”
Brandon didn’t say a word.
Patricia didn’t wait for a response. “Thanks for taking care of it, Mr. Lantz.” She hung up right after.
Once you give something away, you don’t ask for it back. Otherwise, what was the point of coming all this way today?
“Mr. Lantz?” Oliver raised an eyebrow as she ended the call, curiosity all over his face.
Patricia nodded. “He’s the officer on the Newton family case.”
“You met him today?”
“I just popped in for a minute. With the holidays coming up, I’ll be out of town for a few days. I’m worried something might come up and I won’t be able to handle it in time.”
The second she mentioned being away, Oliver’s face visibly fell.
Holiday season, and she wanted to spend it apart?
“Aunt Patricia, you’re not coming with us to Golden Bay?” Sara poked her head out from the tea room, her big eyes blinking at Patricia.
And just like that, Sara got it. She finally understood why the three of them had been so tense lately.
“Aunt Patricia, Uncle Oliver’s been super grumpy these days. It’s because you’re not going to Golden Bay with him.”
Patricia shot Oliver a surprised look.
His jaw was tight, and he stayed silent.
Clearly, Sara had hit the mark.
Patricia couldn’t help but wonder—did he not have a mouth? Couldn’t he just say so himself?
She tilted her head at Oliver. “Is that really it?”
Sara jumped in before Oliver could get a word out. “Of course! Last time Uncle Oliver went home, he promised everyone he’d bring you back to Golden Bay. If you don’t go home with him for the holidays, Grandma’s definitely going to give him trouble.”
Sara rambled on, but kept sneaking glances at Oliver.
He didn’t say a word to stop her, so she kept going. “Aunt Patricia, Uncle Oliver’s so pitiful. He’s not getting any younger, and now he’s finally married. The whole family can’t wait to meet you! Please, have some mercy—just help him out. Even if you only come for New Year’s dinner and leave the next day, that’s enough!”
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