LITMIR.BIZ

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you did not come last year. We understood. But you need a vacation. I’m not accepting any excuses this year. If I can get a week off, you can, too.”

      “Dave, I’ve got new clients to deal with, a load of new stock issues to evaluate, and a market that’s so high it makes me cringe. I can’t afford to be gone a week.”

      “That is exactly why you have to come. There is never going to be a good time to take a break. When the markets are good, you’re worried about them dropping, and when the markets correct, you’re worried about losing other people’s money. You’re coming.”

      She tipped her soda can toward him. “When did you get so pushy?”

      He chuckled. “Rae, I’ve always been pushy, you just like me too much to care.”

      Rae sighed. She had thought about the problem at length. She did want to go…. “I’ll call Jack tomorrow and see if he’s free.” Jack had been her and Leo’s first backer in the business, and as an experienced stockbroker, she trusted him to keep the accounts stable while she was away from the office.

      “He is. I already called him.”

      Rae chuckled. “I should have never given you that power of attorney.” It had made sense at Leo’s death to have another partner officially on the books in case something happened to her. Dave had been the natural choice.

      “I’m your biggest backer, not to mention one of your more wealthy clients. You have to listen to me,” Dave replied with a grin.

      She thumped him with a pillow. “I think it’s time I get some new friends,” she remarked and had to duck when a pillow came back at her.

      “The doctor said fresh air and rest?”

      “That’s taking a little liberty with his prescription, but yes, that’s essentially it. That, and some medication that is making the pharmacist rich.” James was sitting at the dining room table at his sister’s house, his chair turned and his legs stretched out before him, watching her finish clipping pictures for the Sunday school class she taught. He had managed to sleep until ten and for once had awoke with some energy and only moderate pain. Either the medicine or the downtime were helping. He had eaten lunch with Mom, then come over to see Patricia and the kids.

      “Then camping fits the bill. Come with us.”

      “Patricia, it hardly seems right to invite myself along on your vacation.”

      “Nonsense. The cabin can easily sleep ten, and we had planned the food assuming Paul was going to be able to come. Since he can’t, you might as well take his place.” His sister nodded toward the window. “The kids would relish having you around for an entire week.”

      James motioned his coffee cup toward the kids. “Last night you were worried about them wearing me out,” he replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

      Patricia grinned. “That was before I knew Paul was flying to Dallas. You’re new, male and a relative. They will listen to you. I’m just Mom.”

      He laughed. “Ahh. Kid patrol. I get it.”

      “Seriously, you wouldn’t have to do anything but sleep in, eat wonderful food and watch a bobber. It would do you good.”

      “What are the odds there are bugs that bite?” he asked, smiling. He had already made the decision to go, he just liked making his sister work for it.

      “I will personally tell even the mosquitoes to leave you alone,” she promised.

      He set down his coffee cup and absently rubbed his aching wrist. “What do I need to pack?”

      “Yes!” Her eyes danced with delight and he laughed.

      “The days are comfortable but the nights can be a little chilly since we are beside the lake. I would bring whatever you want to read, the selection there is eclectic and quite old.”

      Now he had reason to laugh. “You just described a weekend on a building site, Patricia.”

      His sister grinned. “Then it will feel like home.”

      Chapter Three

      “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

      Dave tossed her suitcase in the trunk.

      “A vacation will do you good,” he replied, reaching over to drop a college cap he had snagged from his bag onto her head. “Lighten up. You’re officially on seven days of R and R. Besides, it’s Memorial Day Weekend.”

      She wrinkled her nose at him and adjusted the cap. “Dave, my idea of a camping trip is slightly different than yours. I suppose you brought that jazz CD for the trip again, didn’t you?”

      “It’s tradition.”

      “You don’t like jazz. You just don’t have the heart to tell Lace that.”

      He blushed slightly. “It was a birthday gift. One that I appreciate,” he stressed.

      Rae grinned. “Why don’t you just ask her out and end her misery?”

      “And ruin a great friendship?” He rolled his eyes. “Please, you’ve got to be kidding.”

      She pushed him aside to rearrange the bags he had crammed in the trunk. “You’re just gun-shy about making a commitment. It’s past time you got married, you know.”

      “Don’t start acting like my mother, Rae. I’ve got a life I enjoy. The marriage bit can wait.”

      “You wait too much longer, friend, and she’s going to find someone else,” Rae replied. She gestured to the walk. “Bring me that black bag next.”

      He picked it up and the smaller one beside it, giving her a dirty look. “A few books you said? You’re taking your entire library.”

      “I told you my idea of a vacation was different than yours. I plan to sleep, read and do some writing.”

      “No fishing?”

      She took the smaller bag from him. “I might drown a worm if you promise nothing will bite it.”

      She reached for the other bag, but he held it back.

      “This feels like a computer….”

      She put her hands on her hips and grinned at him. “Don’t push it, David, you’ll lose the argument.”

      He handed it over. “Am I going to get nagged into finding you a copy of the Wall Street Journal every morning?”

      “I’ll read it on-line,” she replied, slipping the laptop into a cushioned spot between her jacket and his. “Okay, let’s pick up Lace.”

      “Mind if I relegate you to the back seat for the trip?”

      Rae grinned. “I thought you said you weren’t interested?”

      “You’re just going to stick your nose into a book. Lace likes my jokes.”

      Rae laughed. “There are some she likes just about as much as you like jazz.”

      “She laughs.”

      “She’s got a sweet heart. And if you break it, I’m going to make your life miserable,” Rae replied.

      “Rae?”

      The question nudged her away from her research. “Hmm?”

      “We’re going to stop at the welcome station and get new state maps. You want us to bring you a box of their free popcorn?”

      Rae shifted the pen she had clutched between her teeth. “Sure. While you’re there, check and see if they have new maps of the lake. They were planning to update them to show the new trails.”

      “Okay.”

      It was almost

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