On A Night Like This (Callaways #1)

he actually looks happy for a split second. Some kind of minor victory, I guess."
    Ryan moved around the couch and knelt on the ground next to Brandon, careful not to get too close to his son. "How about I help you build something, Brandon," he suggested.
    Brandon didn't respond.
    Ryan picked up some pieces and started putting them together. "We could make a truck or a dinosaur," he said. "Maybe you could help me, Brandon. Can you find me a piece like this?"
    Brandon's gaze remained focused on the pieces he was rearranging.
    Ryan held the piece closer to Brandon, so that it was practically under his nose. "Can you find one that looks like this, Brandon?"
    Brandon's fingers stilled on the block he was playing with, and his gaze lifted ever so slightly. Then he went back to work on what he was doing.
    "It's okay. I'll look for it," Ryan said.
    Aiden had to admit he was impressed that Ryan's voice held no trace of the frustration and anger he'd shown when they were talking in the kitchen. He might be going crazy on the inside, but he wasn't showing that to his son.
    "Do you want to help me build something?" Ryan asked, directing the question toward Aiden.
    He smiled. "You know, that might be the best offer I've had today." He joined them in front of the fireplace. "But I'm building the dinosaur. You stick with the truck."
    "Forget the truck, I'm going to build a plane," Ryan said with a trace of a smile.
    "Well, we'll see whose is better," Aiden said.
    "Always the competitor."
    "That comes from having seven siblings," he said, digging into the box of Legos.
    "Your family has been very supportive," Ryan said. "I don’t know what we'd do without them. Jack and Lynda, Emma and Shayla all babysit, and Burke watches out for Nicole when I'm out of town."
    "Good old Burke," he drawled.
    Ryan gave him a speculative look. "You two fighting already? You haven't been home that long."
    "Long enough."
    "Are you going to tell me what happened to Kyle?"
    "I can tell you what everyone thinks happened."
    "How about what you think?"
    "My memories are blurry."
    "Well, I'm sorry about Kyle. He was a great guy. You blaming yourself for that?"
    "It's hard not to."
    "You have good instincts and you know how to fight fires Aiden. I'm sure you did everything you could to get your men out safely."
    He really wanted to believe that, but he needed some facts to back up the theory. While grabbing a handful of blocks, he glanced over at Brandon. While they'd been talking, Brandon had lined up blocks two by two, but he didn't appear to be interested in building anything with them.
    Ryan followed his gaze. "Brandon is obsessed with pairs. I guess his brain is working something out. I can't imagine what. I wish I could help him."
    The pain in Ryan's eyes was intense. No matter what Nicole thought, Ryan had not given up on his son. Whether or not he'd given up on Nicole was another matter.

Chapter Eleven

    "This is great," Emma declared, glancing around the table. "My big sister is out on her own in probably two years, and I'm with my best friend, who I haven't seen in a decade. I'm so glad we're all together."
    "It is nice," Sara said, exchanging a smile with Emma.
    After meeting with Kevin Callaway and discussing bids for a kitchen remodel, she'd spent the afternoon looking at kitchen cabinets, sinks and appliances. She was going to gather the information and leave it with her dad. If he wanted to dump it in the trash, that was up to him, but she would have done her part. Now she could relax and just enjoy herself.
    "I can't believe we let so much time go by," Emma said.
    "I feel badly, too," she said. "But we were busy growing up."
    "That's true," Emma said, sipping her mineral water. She'd already proclaimed herself the designated driver.
    Sara glanced over at Nicole, thinking she was being awfully quiet. Nicole was one of the nicest people she'd ever met. She didn't have Emma's sharp edges, or Aiden's reckless spirit, or Burke's commanding presence, but Nicole had a deep well of generosity and kindness that just drew people to her. She'd always thought of Nicole as a big sister, someone she could ask for advice when she was confused or floundering. Right now, it seemed like Nicole was the one who was floundering.
    "Are you okay, Nicole?" she asked.
    Nicole gave her a weak smile. "I'm sorry I'm not great company. I seem to be distracted a lot these days. Please don't take it personally."
    "Of course not. I wish I could help."
    "I have a lot of