Free Splintered Oak (Winsor Series Book 3) by T.L. Gray

a beautiful buffer who seemed to take all the awkwardness and resentment away.
    As the laughter died down, Naomi stood and gathered her purse. “Well, I guess I better go face the firing squad.”
    Issy followed her to the elevator. I faintly heard them discuss the wedding portrait Naomi had been holding when I came in.
    Enjoying the distraction, I casually made my way to the kitchen and noticed the counter held a picked through stack of mail. Silently examining each one, I periodically glanced up at Naomi and Issy who were still deep in conversation.
    A letter with a return address from the Security Exchange Commission caught my eye. Ensuring the girls were still preoccupied, I silently slid the letter out of the already opened envelope and read the contents.
     
    Mr. Forester,
    I am sorry to inform you that the SEC has declined your request to re-open the investigation into fraudulent activity by Marshall Forester. As Mr. Forester removed himself from all ownership of Advanced Electronics, we must also decline inquiry into the acquisition of said stock by Andrew Summers. If you disagree with this decision, you will find appeal paperwork enclosed. Appeals can take between 6-8 w eeks.
     
    The sound of Naomi telling me goodbye caught my attention. I quickly returned the letter to its original position and left my station in the kitchen to casually stroll back over to the girls.
    “I’ll head down with you,” I offered, following her into the elevator.
    “You’re leaving already?” Issy scowled. “Why did you even come over?”
    I leaned back out and gave her a quick peck on the head. “Something came up I need to look into. I’ll call you later.”
    Her sad eyes haunted me as the doors shut. She knew as well as I did that things between us were strained at best.
    “Wow, I can’t believe the changes in Issy.”
    I wasn’t sure if Naomi was talking to herself or to me, but I answered anyway. “Tell me about it.”
    She examined me for a second and then turned away.
    “What?” I huffed.
    “Nothing,” she said quietly, and then appeared to change her mind as she looked back up at me. “You don’t like it, do you? How much she’s changed.”
    “She’s still hiding, so no I don’t like it. This whole playing house and getting married. It’s just temporary until she can sort through all her issues. It’s what Issy does—she uses people until she doesn’t need them anymore.”
    Naomi nodded and then walked out of the building with me all while maintaining an uncomfortable silence.
    We were parked in different lots, so I stopped her before she headed in the opposite direction.
    “My offer still stands if you change your mind.” I handed her a business card from my wallet.
    She only returned a polite smile, but took the card, which gave me a little hope. She turned to leave, but then swung back around, her face a mix of determination and compassion.
    “I think you’re wrong, Jake. I think this is real for Issy.”
    Those words from anyone else would have irritated me. But as I stood watching how the sun framed her dark hair and high cheekbones, I just shrugged. “I guess we’ll see.”
     
     
     

8. THE AGREEMENT
     
     
    NAOMI
    I felt a mixture of elation and sadness as I watched Jake walk away. Elation because Issy told me how she became a Christian, and sadness because it was glaringly obvious that Jake not only didn’t understand her growth, but actually resented it.
    Jake and Issy had been an establishment—a consistent pairing that baffled the world but gave hope to the idea that family could truly be there for you. The palpable tension between them now felt tragic, as I knew it would remain as long as Jake felt contempt for her faith.
    I didn’t envy Issy’s battle ahead. I was so blessed to be from a family of believers. No one had ever questioned my faith, only encouraged it.
    I felt proud of Issy, and honestly a little disgusted with myself. Today was the first time I’d admitted out