Starting Over (Treading Water Trilogy) (35 page)

“Wouldn’t you make money faster if you had help?” Tommy asked.

“I guess so,” Brandon said. “I hadn’t really given that much thought. I figured I’d do it on my own.”

“What did you mean when you said ‘if I stay with the company’?” Colin asked.

“I’m prepared to leave—with no hard feelings—if you guys aren’t into it. I’m going to do this, with or without the company, but I’m hoping it’ll be
with
the company.”

“What do you think, Da?” Declan asked.

“You boys are in charge now, so it’s your decision,” Dennis said.

“But you still have a financial stake,” Brandon reminded him.

“I’m in no danger of starving to death any time soon.” Dennis patted his round belly. “So I leave it in your capable hands.”

“How about you, Col?” Brandon asked, knowing Colin’s opinion was the one that mattered most.

“It’s interesting you should have this idea right now, because I’ve been doing some thinking about how we could reorganize to be more efficient,” Colin said.

“How do you mean?” Tommy asked.

“I want to have a life away from this place, so I’ve been trying to figure out how I can free myself up some. In light of Brandon’s idea, I picture three divisions—excavation, new construction, and renovation/restoration.”

With those words from Colin, Brandon knew he wouldn’t be leaving the company.

“Tommy would head up excavation, Dec would oversee new construction, and Brand would have renovation,” Colin said. “Each of you would be entirely independent to make any and all decisions in your areas, bringing me in as needed. I’d oversee estimating, equipment, maintenance, the office, inventory, etc. What do you think?”

“How would we divide the guys?” Dec asked.

“We’d let them pick where they want to work based on seniority,” Colin said.

“Sounds good to me,” Tommy said.

“It might take a year or two to make my end profitable,” Brandon warned them.

“I don’t think it’ll take that long, Brandon,” Aidan said. “Especially if you have help.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Brandon said, touched by his older brother’s support.

“I’d like to say something,” Dennis said, and all eyes turned to him. “Three months ago, I asked Colin to take the helm and work with the rest of you to make this business your own. I’m very pleased by the way you all have supported him and the steps you’re taking to position the company for the future. It’s your legacy to your children—that is
if
they want it,” he added with a wink for Brandon.

Brandon smiled at him, and for the first time in his life, the business felt like a blessing rather than a burden.

“We’ll announce the plan at a staff meeting in the morning,” Colin said, pushing back from the table.

“Before you all run away, there’s something else I want to talk to you about.” Brandon asked Aidan to stay on the phone while he filled them in on the situation with Mike’s grandparents. “Needless to say, we could be looking at quite a battle.”

“It’s an outrage!” Dennis said, his face reddening. “No wonder Daphne was so secretive. I feel terrible for what I said about her, son.”

“You didn’t know, Da, and from your point of view, her behavior
was
odd. I told Tommy and Erin about it when Mike spent the night with them, but no one else knew.”

“They can’t just snatch her child away from her,” Declan said. “We can’t let that happen.”

“I’m not going to let it,” Brandon said. “But they’ve tried to grab her once before, and we believe they’d do it again if they knew where she was. Daphne’s convinced it’s only a matter of time before they find her, so we’re hoping to work something out before that happens.”

“What did Alan suggest you do?” Colin asked.

Brandon told them about the private investigator and the letter Alan sent to the Monroe’s attorneys.

“Do you need money?” Aidan asked.

“I might,” Brandon said. “I’m good for now, but this could get long and ugly.”

“Whatever you need. Just let me know.”

“Thank you, Aidan,” Brandon said in a hushed tone. “Thank you all for your support and for standing by me while I got my life together.”

“Just let us know what we can do to help you and Daphne,” Dec said.

“I will.”

Chapter 32, Day 108

Brandon was applying yellow paint to the exterior of the apartment building the following week when Colleen’s silver Cadillac skidded to a stop at the curb. She bounded out of the car and came rushing through the front gate.

He put down the paintbrush. “What’s gotten into you?” he asked, kissing her cheek.

“You won’t believe it!” Her eyes sparkled with tears of joy.

“Believe what?”

“Aidan and Clare are back together, and they’re
engaged
!”

“No way! What happened?”

She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led him to the new porch swing. “This place looks wonderful, love.”

“Forget about that. Tell me what happened.”

“Well, Clare’s youngest daughter, Maggie, the thirteen-year-old, had a terrible accident yesterday. She fell backward off the ladder to the attic at her father’s house and broke both her arms and a rib. It’s so awful. She’s such a love. We had the best time with her at Aidan’s birthday in Boston.”

“How did he hear about it?”

“Clare’s oldest daughter, Jill, called him while they were waiting for Maggie to wake up. She has a severe concussion, too, so it was touch and go yesterday. Anyway, Jill thought Aidan would want to know, so she called him.”

“Is Maggie okay now?”

“Yes, she’s conscious and out of the woods. Of course, she’s got a long road ahead of her with the broken arms.”

“Well, that’s a relief. So Aidan went to Rhode Island?”

She nodded. “He drove for hours not knowing if the little girl would be alive when he got there, and he said he had a bit of an epiphany during that long ride.”

“How do you mean?”

“He realized he’s already a father—a stepfather, but a father nonetheless—and he was terrified they would lose their dear, sweet Maggie. He told Clare he’d been a fool to let her go, and if she wants more kids it’s fine with him.” Colleen wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m so happy you were here. Da’s playing golf, and I needed to tell someone. After everything he’s been through, no one deserves this more than Aidan.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Brandon said sincerely as he hugged his mother. “I’m thrilled for him. He was so heartbroken over losing her.”

“He told me Clare’s middle daughter, Kate, the one who lives in Nashville, has the number one song on the country music charts this week. Can you believe that?”

“Sounds like he’s marrying into quite a family.”

“
Three boys engaged
,” Colleen marveled. “My friends have been teasing me mercilessly about two. This’ll send them into a tizzy.”

“What do you think they’ll say about four?”

Colleen’s mouth dropped open in shock.

He howled with laughter. “I’ve finally found a way to render you speechless. Wait ’til I tell the boys about this!”

When Colleen recovered, she managed to say, “Have you asked her?”

“Not yet but soon.”

“Da told me about what’s going on with Mike’s grandparents. Don’t you let them get their hands on that child, Brandon.”

“They’d have to kill me first.”

Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder. “That would kill
me
, so don’t let it happen.”

“Don’t worry, Mum. We’re handling it.”

They enjoyed the gentle sway of the swing and the warm spring breeze for several quiet minutes.

“You know I love all my children, right?”

“Yes, and we all know Aidan’s your favorite.”

She smacked him. “Hush. That’s not true. He was my
first
. You should understand now that you have your Mike.”

“Hmm, I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. Even if I have five more, there’ll never be another quite like her.”

“Exactly. Now, what I was
going
to say…” she said with exasperation that made him smile, “is that nothing has ever made me prouder than watching you reclaim your life over these last few months. I’m so very, very proud of you, Brandon.”

“Thanks, Mum,” was all he could say.

“You and Daphne make such a beautiful couple. You should see yourselves together. You’re breathtaking, both of you.”

“Now you’re embarrassing me.”

“The two of you are going to make me some very pretty grandbabies.”

“I think it’s safe to say there’s about to be a huge baby boom in this family.”

“Six grandchildren and holding—for now.”

Realizing her count included Mike, Brandon’s heart swelled to overflowing. “Love you, Mum.”

“I love you more.”

Alan called the next day with an update. “There’s good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Bad,” Brandon said, bracing himself.

“I just heard from my friend in Nebraska. A virtual army has descended upon his town looking for Daphne and Mike. They even got into his office somehow and tossed the place upside down.”

“Jesus,” Brandon muttered.

“He also got a certified letter from Monroe, demanding we produce the child immediately and stating their plans to sue for full custody.”

Brandon swallowed hard. “What’s the good news?”

“If they’re tearing up a town in Nebraska, they have no idea where she is.”

“That’s true.”

“I also got a call from Scott,” Alan said, referring to the private investigator. “He’s on to something, and he hopes to get back to me soon with an update.”

“Call me when you hear anything.”

“I will.”

“You know, the fact they’re all over that town in Nebraska also means they aren’t going away. Everything I’ve been reading says Tucker’s going with Monroe for vice president. I was hoping that would pull his attention away from Mike, but they’re not letting it go, are they?”

“It doesn’t look that way,” Alan said. “Just stay calm, and let’s see what Scott can find out.”

“Okay.”

“On another note, we’ve got a guy at Laurel Lake who reminds me a lot of you when you first arrived. A real tough case. I was wondering if you might come with me one afternoon this week to have a chat with him.”

“You really think I’m ready for step twelve?” Brandon asked.

“Your story is exactly what this guy needs to hear.”

“Sure, I’d be happy to try if you think it’ll help.”

“Great, thanks. I’ll be in touch.”

When he hung up with Alan, Brandon went home to update Daphne.

After he told her the latest she paced back and forth across the living room with her glasses perched on the end of her nose and a pencil shot through her ponytail.

“What are you thinking, babe?” he asked when he couldn’t bear the silence any longer.

“I hope the PI you’re paying all that money to comes through with something we can use to blackmail Monroe—and soon.”

“Alan said he’s getting close.” Brandon put his arms around her. “We just have to be patient for a little while longer.”

“My stomach hurts all the time,” she confessed.

“Since when?” he asked, alarmed.

“The last week or so. I’m wondering if I’ve finally worked myself into an ulcer.”

“Let’s get you to a doctor. That’s nothing to mess around with.”

“I’ll call this afternoon.”

“Promise?” He ran his thumbs over her fragile jaw, noticing for the first time the dark circles under her eyes. The stress was getting to her.

“I promise.”

He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

“What’re you doing?”

“Putting my baby down for a nap.” He removed her glasses and the pencil from her hair. “You’re going take a break from worrying and have a nice long rest. I’m picking up Mike today since I’m now
officially
on the list.”

She smiled. “You’re so proud of that, aren’t you?”

“You bet your ass I am.”

“Just bring her home.”

“No way. We have plans. We’re going out to lunch, and then she’s coming over to do some painting for me this afternoon. You, my love, have the afternoon off. No work, no Mike, no worrying, no nothing, you hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, I like that,” he said with a satisfied grin as he leaned in for a kiss. “Say it again.”

“Never. It was a one-time lapse.”

He discovered right then that laughing and kissing make for an interesting combination. “When you get up I want you to take the longest, bubble bath ever and then get dressed up. I’m taking my girls out to dinner tonight.”