“That’s great. You have a lot to be proud of.” Simon had always been one of the straight shooters, from what I remembered.

“You do, too, Cam. I mean that. It took a lot to come back here.”

I nodded and lifted my notebook. “I guess I’ll get on this. Or at least what he’ll let me do.”

“Do you need anything? I doubt your dad or Alexander asked.”

“I’m okay up at Cal’s. Or I guess it’s not Cal’s anymore. It’s mine.” Not that it hadn’t always felt like more of a home than this one, but it was weird without Cal there.

“Okay, well, if you change your mind or if you need a job or anything, just let me know. This town isn’t always the easiest to come back to. Believe me, I know.” He stood, tucking his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans.

“Thank you for the offer.” I had pretty good savings, so I wasn’t worried just yet. But I appreciated it, knowing the fine people of Alba wouldn’t support Walter offering me a job at the Rowan Inn, given that it was the largest hotel in Alba. Then again, there weren’t a lot of job openings for a civil engineer around here.

“And you should come to the Historical Society meeting next week,” he urged. “I know you didn’t have any interest when you were younger, and of course Alexander has been exercising your dad’s vote, but nothing reminds Alba that you’re a local more than showing up to a Historical meeting. Just a thought.”

Xander exercised Dad’s vote? What else did he take care of?

I was taking a risk, opening my mouth, but Walter was Dad’s best friend and had been since they were kids, so he’d find out eventually anyway.

“Does Xander oversee Dad’s medical care, too?”

The skin between his eyebrows puckered. “Yes. He holds his medical power of attorney. Why?”

“Just trying to get the lay of the land. Plus, I have a couple questions.” My thumb rubbed over the canvas spine of my notebook.

“Alexander takes him to all his appointments, but now that you’re home, I’m sure he’d be happy to share that duty with you. Might free up his time. You are home, right? For good?”

“Seems like it. I can’t really help him if I’m not here, whether he wants me or not.”

“Fair enough.” He glanced at my tattooed arms, bare to the elbow from where I’d pushed up the sleeves of my shirt. “One word of advice?”

I didn’t answer, and I didn’t have to. Walter was going to give it to me even if I didn’t want it.