“We’re fine, Saul. The police are going to handle everything. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and neither of us got hurt.” She hoped Violet hadn’t told him about the personal items missing from her house. She didn’t need Saul worrying any more than he already was.

“You know how I felt about the two of you moving there. This doesn’t put my mind at ease at all.”

He’d been very vocal with his disappointment when she’d accepted the job in Portland, even though it’d placed her on the same coast as him. She suspected the only city he wouldn’t complain about her moving to was Los Angeles. “It’s a good place to live. I won’t judge it by what happened.”

“Do you need to come home for a while?

She sighed. Saul’s house hadn’t been her home for almost two decades, but he still referred to it as if she’d just left yesterday. “I don’t think so. Violet has school and I start my new job soon.”

“Don’t know what you see in that wet state. You should have picked somewhere with sun.”

“I made my choice. We like it here.”

“Violet doesn’t sound too happy.”

Irritation brought up her chin. “Any new school is hard. It doesn’t matter what state it’s in.”

She refused to argue with him. They’d already beaten the subject to death.

“I’m coming up there. You need some family around. Violet says you’re staying at some stranger’s house because your home was broken into. I’ve already called the Benson Hotel and arranged for you to have the presidential suite for a few days. If you’re not going to come visit, I’ll come there.”

“Saul, that’s not—”

“Don’t argue with me. Someone needs to make certain the police are doing their job, and you’re too nice about it. I can get results.”

Anger burned in her chest. Saul always threw his weight and money around to get what he wanted. He’d made a fortune in the temporary worker industry and was known for burying the competition when there was something he wanted. Now he wanted to handle Gianna’s life. They’d butted heads for decades over his pushy behavior.

Gianna had learned to pick her battles with her uncle, and decided to stand down on this one. She had a feeling Detective Hawes could handle Saul just fine. “You take the suite, Saul. There’s nothing wrong with my home. The police should be done with it today.” She crossed her fingers.

“Well, I’ve hired a security company to take a look at it today. If you insist on staying there alone, I want to know you have the best defense.”

Gianna closed her eyes, fighting the need to bang her forehead against the wall. “Thank you, Saul.”

She ended the call after getting his travel information. Saul would be taking over Portland by six this evening.

Hopefully, Portland was ready.

“You okay?” Chris asked, moving into the hallway. Gianna wondered how much he’d heard.

“You look like you need to hit something,” he said.

“My uncle can be a bit infuriating,” Gianna replied.

“I take it ‘infuriating’ is a polite term?”

“Absolutely. He’s a freight train, barreling full speed wherever he pleases. Right now he feels the need to come supervise my life and stir every pot I own.”

“Sounds like he cares about you.”

“That’s not what I need to hear right now.”

“Okay . . . sounds like he’s a pushy son of a bitch.”

“That’s better.”

“This is the guy who took you in after your parents died?”

Gianna swallowed. Someone had done some research. “Yes. He’s my father’s brother.”

“But he’s not related to Violet’s grandmother who died.”

“No. That was her father’s mother.”

Chris was silent, and Gianna took a close look at him. Even though he’d lived through hell, he hadn’t lost his humanity. He cared. He was probably selective about whom he cared for, but she knew Violet and she were now included.

Other people could have come out of his experience and been bitter the rest of their lives, turning their backs on everyone. Chris looked forward. There was an optimism about him that she suspected had everything to do with his son.

His heart was good.

“The Portland police detective called back while you were talking with your uncle.”

“Damn it.” Her to-do list was getting longer and longer. “I need to get a new cell phone. Today.”

“He wants to meet at your place in an hour.”

Gianna nodded, “I can do that.” That’d give her time to replace her cell phone. “Crap. I need—”

“I’ll drive you.” His eyes were kind.

“Surely you have things you need to do today.”

“I’m my own boss. I gave myself the day off.”

Gianna exhaled, grateful for his generosity. “After this meeting, I need to rent a car.”

“Jamie asked Violet if she’d like to stay here for the morning, and Violet said she would. She seems a bit fascinated with my sister.”

“Violet’s interested in teaching elementary school. I suspect your sister will be bombarded with questions about her job as a principal.”

“Jamie will love that.”

“Can we leave in five minutes?”