“I’m glad to meet you,” he said earnestly.
“Me, too, Scott,” Denise said. “Pamela said you just returned from Lithuania. Are you glad to be home?”
“I’m happy to be with my friends, to have a steady supply of fresh produce and to soak up the sun,” he said.
“I haven’t been home yet because my place isn’t ready and my belongings haven’t arrived from Lithuania.” He fell into step with them as they headed toward the back patio and the barbecue.
“Is that what you missed most?” she asked.
Those were the only things he missed that he could talk about. “I missed other things, too—mainly opportunities to be just plain old Scott Galloway.”
Drake walked over toward them, munching on a chicken leg. Scott appreciated—and not for the first time—that he was six feet four inches tall, and equal to Drake and his brothers in stature. Drake dwarfed most men in looks and physique, but not him. And he hoped Denise Miller was well aware of that.
“How’s that barbecue?” he asked Drake, in an effort to stall for time by involving him in conversation. He was interested in Denise Miller, but wanted to go slowly, at least until he figured out why he was so sure he knew her from someplace.
Drake laughed. “It’s a delicious barbecue chicken leg. But if you’re not a leg man, the breasts look pretty good, too.”
“I think I’ll do my own investigation,” Denise said, and left the two of them to enjoy Drake’s joke.
Scott eyed Drake. “Is she annoyed?”
“No, but she’d rather I hadn’t said that. Seems she’d prefer to make a good impression on you, and that surprises me.”
“She didn’t seem particularly interested. Why are you surprised at her wanting to make a good impression?”
“Denise is not easily impressed, but you caught her eye before we saw you. And the closer we got, the more she liked what she saw. Trust me, man, I’m right.”
“She was interesting from afar, but the closer she got, the more interesting she became. Trust me.” They both laughed.
“This is a magnificent house, Drake. Judson said that you and your brothers built it. Russ is a heck of an architect,” said Scott.
“He is that, and his designs are becoming more creative. But, as an engineer, I appreciate his work even more.”
“If I ever build a house, I hope you brothers are still in the business.”
“Unless you plan to build it when you’re ready to retire, I don’t think you have much to worry about.”
“Thanks for the assurance, man. But it’s time I got my act together.”
“Yeah,” Drake said. “I thought I had to wait until I got my life exactly the way I wanted it, but Pamela’s clock was ticking, and she let me know it. I realized that I didn’t have to be a nationally recognized engineer in order to be happy. But I needed her for that.”
“I don’t regret the choices I’ve made, Drake,” said Scott. “I regret the sacrifices.”
“As long as you’re ready to deal with a relationship, it’s never too late.”
In those few minutes, Scott realized that of the Harrington brothers, Drake was his favorite. The man gave the appearance of being a corporate executive, but he was a down-to-earth guy who had his priorities in order, and he had a great sense of humor.
“How long have you and Pamela been married?”
“Close to two wonderful years. Smartest thing I ever did. Marriage is good. Try it,” he said with a grin.
“You’ll like it.”
“I hope so. I don’t have anyone in mind, but after two years in Vilnius without a companion, my antenna is up.”
Drake seemed to contemplate the statement. “I can’t imagine that that was easy. There must have been plenty of times you were lonely or just needed someone to talk to, and didn’t have anyone with whom to share your problems. It had to be troubling.”
“You nailed it on the head, Drake. In spite of all the people around to do whatever I said or asked, it was a lonely life.”
“You two seem to be hitting it off,” Heather said, as she approached them. “I brought you some lemonade. If you want anything stronger, it’s over there in that large wooden tub.”
“Thanks,” Scott said. “Where’d you get that wooden tub?”
“My dad got it from his grandmother,” said Heather.
“You must have made quite an impression on Denise. She’s asking questions about you.”
Scott sipped his lemonade. “Really? Tell her I’m perfect,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. He couldn’t understand Drake’s sudden fit of laughter.
“I wonder if I was that scared of getting what I wanted,” Drake said, amused by Scott’s expression.
“As I look back, I realize how lucky I really was that Pamela ignored my foolishness.” He looked at Scott. “I met Adelle Smith and she isn’t in Denise Miller’s league by a long shot.”
“I get your message loud and clear,” added Scott.
Telford and Russ arrived along with their families.
“Excuse me,” Scott said to Drake and Heather when he saw Tara.
“You’ve gotten taller in the eighteen months since I last saw you,” Scott said to Tara with a wide smile. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Galloway. I’m going to finish the school year with straight As.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. You’re as smart as you are pretty.” He looked at Telford, Tara’s stepfather, whose pride in his daughter shone in his eyes. “Tara is the most compelling advertisement for marriage that I can think of.”
“Thank you,” Telford said. “She’s always a delight.”
“What do they mean, Mummy?”
“Mr. Scott was congratulating your daddy on raising you properly.”
“Oh. I thought he said I was lovely.”
Scott suppressed a laugh. Tara was only nine years old, but already she was mature beyond her years.
The four of them walked around to the patio, where the barbecue grill, food and drinks were set up.
“It’s about time you got here,” Judson said. “Pamela and I want to eat. We’ve got pulled pork, barbecue chicken and baby back ribs, grilled new potatoes, zucchini, onions, asparagus and a green salad. Beer, wine and chilled vodka are over there.” He pointed to a shaded area. “Everybody for themselves.”
“Don’t we have to say grace, Uncle Judson?” Tara asked.
“Yes, we do,” Russ said. “I’ll say it. By the time you finish it, we’ll be ready to eat Christmas dinner.”
Tara giggled. “Mr. Scott, my uncle Russ doesn’t like the way I say grace. It really freaks him out.”
Scott noticed that Denise remained on the fringe of the group. He got two empty plates, forks and napkins, and went over to her and handed her one of each.
“I’m hungry, and I haven’t had any good barbecue in a couple of years. Will you join me?”
“Thanks. I was just waiting for everyone to start. Why has it been two years?”
“I’ve been in Vilnius, Lithuania. I only returned for Judson and Heather’s wedding, but I was in the States less than seventy-two hours.