Daisy said, “Hey, Jake. What can I do for you?”

“Sorry to bother you. I stopped by to ask about your dad. Is he all right?”

“I wouldn’t go that far, but the doctor treated him and sent him home so I guess that tells you something. You know you could have called instead of following us home like this.”

“There’s something else I wanted to talk about and I didn’t think it should wait. I promise I won’t take up too much of your time…”

“Good because we spent the last two hours at the emergency room and I’m beat. Tannie’s gone to bed if you were hoping to see her.”

“It’s you I’d like to talk to. You, too,” he said, with a quick nod at me.

“Why don’t you come on in the kitchen and we’ll close the door. I don’t imagine you want Tannie hearing this.”

“Out here is fine. I intend to talk to her myself as soon as I have the chance. My son, Steve, too.”

“Smart move,” she said.

Jake ignored her testiness. “I came to apologize for what happened to Foley tonight. We’re fully prepared to pay his medical expenses. You can send the bills straight to me and I’ll take care of them. BW had no right to do what he did.”

“Shit, really? Kick a guy in the face and bust his nose?”

“Daisy, I said I was sorry and I mean that. BW was way out of line and I told him so. I’m not saying he was wrong to hustle your dad out of there. Foley had that coming, but not the violence. BW’s a hothead. He tends to act first and think about it later. It wouldn’t surprise me if Foley pressed charges.”

“Forget it. He’s not going to do that. So what else? I’m sure you didn’t tail us to inquire about his health.”

“I feel I owe you an explanation.”

Daisy nearly offered him a smart remark, but apparently decided against it. Better to let him fumble through the conversation on his own.

Jake kept his gaze pinned on the middle distance, but his manner was otherwise straightforward. “It isn’t true, what he accused me of, but I believe I know how he came by that impression, even if he’s mistaken. I hope you’ll bear with me.”

“Have at it. I’m all ears.”