The Montgomery house stood quiet in the evening light.
Ethan stepped through the front door, the familiar scent of jasmine and polished wood wrapping around him.
Sarah appeared from the sitting room, her face brightening.
"Ethan. You're home."
"Hi, Sarah." He set his bag down, suddenly aware of how long the day had been.
"Your father's in his study. Dinner's almost ready—will you be staying?"
Ethan hesitated. "I... I'm not sure yet."
She studied him with that knowing look she'd perfected over the years. "I'll set a place just in case."
He found Richard exactly where Sarah had said—behind his desk, reading glasses perched on his nose, papers spread before him.
"Dad."
Richard looked up, removing his glasses. "Ethan. How was your first day?"
"Good. Really good, actually." Ethan moved into the room, hands in his pockets. "Claire gave me an assignment already. Client presentation tomorrow."
Something like pride flickered across Richard's face. "That's excellent."
