6

“Good for him.”

There was a pause. Graham leaned back, now relaxed and confident. “We had a family meeting yesterday afternoon. We discussed Terence and the void that will be left with his departure. We’re going to change things up. Spread out his duties and make some adjustments. And we’re going to hire a new associate.”

I was confused. Hiring a new associate wouldn’t really fill Terence’s spot. “Okay?”

“We’d like it if you took him under your wing.”

I was even more confused. “Sure, Graham, whatever you need.”

“He’s a bit of a handful. Brad is Laura’s nephew—not long out of school. He interned with a place in Calgary but has decided to come back to BC. I know Laura and her sister have hoped he would end up here. Her sister lives an hour away, which means he’ll be close to her again. Frankly, I was never sure why he insisted on going elsewhere to work when he had the chance to be here, but he was always adamant on forging his own way.” He paused, rubbing his chin in amusement. “Lots of talent—a great instinct for the job. Although at times, he gets ahead of himself. And he thinks he knows it all. Bit of an attitude, to be honest. Sound familiar?”

I chuckled. “Vaguely. I’m sure I can bring him down a peg or two.”

Graham grinned. “Don’t crush him. I am rather fond of the boy. However, I think he’d do well to work under you for the first while. See how to put together award-winning campaigns.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He leaned back, crossing his legs. “I’m going to give him your office.”

I sat up straighter, now feeling annoyed. I liked my office. “What? Can’t you give him a different office? Where the hell am I going to work?” I sputtered.

His eyes danced at my reaction.

“In the corner office beside mine. Congratulations, Richard. You’re the new VP of The Gavin Group and in charge of all Eastern Canada accounts.” He snickered. “Bentley would have a meltdown if I pulled you from that territory. You do such an amazing job, I’m giving you all those clients to oversee. It’s a growing market for us, thanks to you.”

Shock was an understatement at his words, and for a moment, I was speechless. My mouth hung open, and I stared at Graham.

“Excuse me?” I finally asked.

He looked amused at my confusion.

“You heard me correctly, Richard. You are the new VP of The Gavin Group. You’re moving offices, pay grades, positions, and you’ll now own a small piece of stock in the company. Brad will work with you, and you can groom him and let him work on the smaller accounts to get some experience. I don’t think he could have a better mentor.”

“But-but you never…” I stuttered. “It’s family. You keep the company within the family. I knew that when I came here and when you rehired me. I never expected…” My voice trailed off, amazement still rendering me incapable of coherent speech or thought.

He sat back, now relaxed and at ease. “I told you in our initial meeting that my company is family, Richard. That the people within the company are thought of that way. I meant it.”

“I know. I’ve told you often how much I admire the way you run the company. You know what a difference it, you, have made to my life—both professionally and personally.”

“That’s the difference between you and my other staff, Richard. You have become a part of my life personally. Your family is an extension of my own. Laura dotes on your children the same way she dotes on our grandkids. Jenna and Adam think of you as a surrogate brother. Adrian admires you.” He shrugged. “You have become…more.” He paused, smiling before he spoke again. “Laura and I feel as though you’re an adopted son to us, Richard—the same way Adrian did when he married Jenna. You have made me proud of the man you have become and the man I know you will continue to be. You deserve this.”

I swallowed hard, my throat constricted. I had to blink several times before I could respond. With Katy and my girls, I was able to show my emotions. The tenderness and love I felt for them were easy for me to express. Katy had shown me how to be real with them. I was still learning when it came to other people. I could joke around with Maddox. Tease Jenna. Hug Laura and allow her to fuss over me. Graham’s acceptance and trust in me overwhelmed me at times because of the deep sense of need it fulfilled within me. The paternal role I’d lacked my entire life that he filled with his encouragement and pride.

I cleared my throat, but regardless, the words were thick and heavy as I spoke them. “That means more than I can adequately express, Graham.” A grin pulled on my lips, the irony not lost on me—words and ideas were my thing after all, but this was different. Personal and overwhelming. His trust and opinion were paramount to me. I met his steady gaze. “I won’t let you down. Thank you.”

“I know you won’t. This is the right move for all of us. Call your wife and give her the good news. Come to my office later, and we’ll sign the paperwork.” He chuckled. “Some formalities that have to be done. HR, you know. They insist on this stuff.”

Standing, I reached across my desk, extending my hand. “Thank you, Graham. This is unexpected and amazing. I’m excited about the entire concept.”

He shook my hand, his grip firm and strong. He stood and walked toward the door. He turned with a wide smirk. “I’m glad you’re excited, but you might not be thanking me once you meet Brad.”

I wasn’t concerned. I had dealt with lots of junior executives in the past. I once was one of them. I knew how to handle their brashness. Really, how bad could this kid be? If Graham and Laura were fond of him, and Graham was bringing him into the company, he had to have merit. He probably needed a firm hand from someone who didn’t have a direct family connection. If he was going to be part of my team, I would oversee and encourage him.

I was grinning as I picked up the phone, anxious to share this news with Katy. Maybe we could get Mrs. Thomas to babysit and I would take her out tonight to celebrate. Dinner and a hotel room for a few hours so I could have her to myself. I grinned at the idea, liking the thought.

 

  

I

 stared at my wife across the table. The candlelight flickered, the dim glow casting shadows on the walls and highlighting her lovely features. Her beautiful eyes were filled with pride and happiness—and a little glassy from the champagne we had drunk to celebrate my new role.

“I’m so proud of you, Richard.”

I tilted my head. “I couldn’t have done this without you, Katy. All of this—my life, my career, my children—is because of you.” I knew as the words left my mouth how true they were. Katy had been the turning point in my life, and without her, nothing would be worthwhile. Because of her, I had changed and become the person I was now. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a long, flat box, sliding it across the table. “For you.”

She stared at the box, worrying the inside of her lip. It still amused me that, after all this time, she wasn’t used to being spoiled. Every gift I gave her was greeted with the same surprise and delight. It didn’t matter how big or small, she loved it. It made giving them to her all that more enjoyable.

“Take it, sweetheart.” I pushed it closer.