Chapter 5 - THE RIDE HOMEThe rain had stopped by the time Ethan climbed back into his dented, ten-year-old Honda Civic. The city lights of Franklin reflected off the slick asphalt, casting long, golden smears across the windshield as he navigated toward his sister Rebecca’s house in the historic district.
On the passenger seat sat the cardboard box containing the large slice of pecan pie. The sweet, buttery aroma filled the small cabin, competing with the faint smell of damp canvas and old upholstery.
Ethan’s phone buzzed in the cup holder. It was a text message from Mara:
“Police took formal statements from Gary and the night staff. Financial audit is cleanable by Friday. The local news blogs are already picking up the video from the college students at table four. You’re going viral, boss.”
Ethan chuckled softly, tossing the phone back into the holder without replying. He didn't care about going viral. He cared about the fact that Tessa and Luis would walk into their shifts tomorrow morning without fear. He cared about the fact that Cole Hospitality had inherited a crown jewel that was finally free of rot.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the gravel driveway of Rebecca’s Craftsman-style home. The porch light was on, casting a warm, welcoming glow over the azalea bushes.
Before he could even kill the engine, the front door swung open, and a nine-year-old boy in an oversized Nashville Knights baseball cap came hurtling down the steps, splashing through the remaining puddles in his sneakers.
Ethan stepped out of the Honda just in time to catch Caleb as the boy launched himself into a full-body hug around his waist.
“You took forever!” Caleb accused happily, burying his face in his father’s canvas jacket. “Aunt Becky tried to make me go to bed at nine, but I told her Dad promised real pecan pie, and you never break a promise!”
Ethan lifted his son easily, resting the boy’s weight against his shoulder just like he had done a hundred times before. He breathed in the scent of shampoo and old paper from the science project.
“I didn't break it, kiddo,” Ethan murmured, carrying him toward the porch. “I had to stop and pick up the biggest slice they had.”
Rebecca was standing at the screen door, wiping her hands on a dish towel, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She had already seen the local news alert flashing on her phone about an anonymous billionaire dismantling a tyrannical restaurant manager in downtown Franklin.
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“You alright, big brother?” Rebecca asked softly as Ethan set Caleb down on the porch steps.
“Never better, Beck,” Ethan smiled, opening the cardboard box. “Never better.”
