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The Ammendment 9
He swallowed, suddenly still in the chair. “Of course. I apologize.”“Better,” I acknowledged. “Now, I have work to do. Go find Graham or Laura, and they’ll direct you to HR. Get your paperwork done, and come back and see me—knock this time before you come in. We’ll talk about my expectations.”With another hair flip, he headed for the door.“One last thing,” I called.He turned.“Get a damn haircut.”He left, pulling the door shut behind him. I sat down, staring at the closed door. I was somewhat amused, a little annoyed, and mostly confused.What the hell was Graham thinking?It wasn’t long before I had my answer. Graham appeared, pausing in my doorway, lifting his hand to knock.“May I come in?” he asked, his eyes dancing.I waved my hand. “Funny.”He sat across from me, still grinning. His wife, Laura, followed him in as he sat down.I stood and greeted her, accepting her kiss on my cheek and smiling at her. You had to smile at Laura—it was impossible not to do so. She projected
The Ammendment 10
He shifted. “I’m not used to that.”“Neither was I when I got here. This place, the people, are different.” I studied him. “Graham told me he offered you a job right out of school, but you refused. May I ask why?”He was quiet. “I thought Uncle—I mean Graham—was boring. That his company was old-fashioned and dull, which is why I went to Calgary and got on with a different firm. I wanted to make a mark. My mark.”“Graham is anything except dull. This company is one of the most respected marketing firms in the country—the world, in fact. Dull isn’t a word associated with The Gavin Group.” I indicated the walls and the awards sitting on my shelves. “Their track record speaks for itself.”He stared, not saying anything.“Never confuse integrity and class with being dull, Brad. Be proud to be part of this team. Use it and learn. This place will make you better.” I closed the files on my desk. “This is an opportunity to grow.”He stood, contemplative and silent. He took the files I held out
The Ammendment 11
I indicated the awards on my shelves. “A lot of people think so. Including Graham. Show some respect.”“You show me some.”I was on my feet, yelling again. “I will when you do something to deserve it!”“He was out of line telling me what to do.”I threw my hands in the air. “You were out of line!” I shouted. “This is his product—his baby—and you tell him we know it better? You’re a moron!”“Well, you’re an asshole!”My door opened, and Graham strode in, upset.“I can hear the two of you all the way to the elevator. What the hell is going on?”“Why don’t you tell him, Brad?” I sat down, done with him. “Explain this to Uncle Gray.”Brad lifted one shoulder in a dismissive gesture. “A client didn’t like what I had to say.”I couldn’t stop the growl. “Because you talked down to him. You belittled a client!”Brad opened his mouth to speak, but Graham raised his hand. “I already had a call from Marcus Whitby. A very unhappy one. He told me to straighten out my staff and to call him when it
The Ammendment 12
RichardI ran a hand through my hair, tugging on the cowlick. I glanced at my phone, groaning when I saw the time. I was late again. I called Katy immediately, smiling at the sound of her gentle voice when she answered.“Hey, you.”“Hi,” I responded. “I’m late.”“No, you’re not. I didn’t expect you, so that means you’re still on time.”I sighed, leaning my head back on my chair. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you, Katy, but I am grateful for it every day.”“With Graham and Laura out of the office, it’s hardly a surprise you’re working all the time. Jenna dropped by earlier and said everyone is burning the candle at both ends with her parents gone,” she assured me.I hummed in reply. I always knew Graham had a lot on his plate running the company, but without him here, I had discovered exactly how hard he worked. No wonder he needed a vacation. We had divided up his duties, and I left the daily running of the company to Adam and Jenna, and I took care of his clients and oversee
The Ammendment 13
Gracie squealed, dropping her spoon into her bowl, causing the milk to splash everywhere. The zoo was her favorite place. She loved animals, and I knew how much she wanted a pet. Perhaps Katy and I could discuss that soon. For now, though, I could take Gracie to the zoo and buy her lots of time in the petting area. She loved that.Katy beamed at me. “That would be so much fun! Are you sure?”I nodded. “I have to work later tonight, and maybe tomorrow, but I’m all yours for the weekend.” I’d pay for it the following week—except I didn’t care. I needed it. My family needed it. I needed it.Her look of adoration and happiness was worth it.Later that day, I cursed as I looked at my car, kicking the flat tire in frustration. How the hell did that happen? I bent down to examine it, muttering another curse when I saw the nail I must have driven over as I passed through the construction happening down the road on the way in this morning. After going in late, I had been rushed all day, and t
The Ammendment 14
“You’re talented, Brad. In a different way than I am. Than Graham is. But not less. Don’t compare yourself or try to live up to him. Be your own person. You’re as important to the team as anyone. I saw your talent, and I thought it was the best direction for you. It wasn’t a punishment, and I’m glad you see that now.”“I do.” He paused, his voice droll when he spoke again. “I still think you’re an asshole for making me get my hair cut and breaking my phone, but you’re all right, Richard. I actually think I owe you.”A chuckle escaped my lips, the effort making me grimace. “Get me home before I hurl in your car, and we’ll call it even.”He sped up slightly. “Good plan.”Moments passed, the sounds in the car that of the rain beating down and the steady rhythm of the tires spinning on the wet pavement. I drifted, the medication beginning to take the edge off.Brad’s loud curse followed by the cacophonous squeal of tires and brakes startled me, and my eyes flew open. The car shuddered as
The Ammendment 15
“The girls will be excited to see you when they wake up.”“We missed them. We missed everyone.” Laura sighed.“How is Richard?” Graham asked. “Jenna said he was burning the midnight oil daily.”“He’s been busy,” I acknowledged. “He’ll be thrilled to hand the reins back to you, Graham.”“I thought I was going away at a quiet time. I had no idea how many new projects were going to happen.”I waved my hand. “Aside from missing his girls, he’s enjoyed it.” I glanced toward the window. “I have a feeling he’ll be home soon, though.”Graham tilted his head in understanding. “His headaches.”“He refused to admit it, but I think one was coming on today. He had that look in his eyes when he left that he always gets when one is coming on.”“No doubt Brad will be dropping him off.”I was surprised. “Brad?”“Adam told me that Richard had a flat tire and Brad drove him to his meeting. Jenna had checked with him and Richard said things went well, which she passed it on to Adam. If his headache was b
The Ammendment 16
“Graham,” I whispered. “What-what if…” I couldn’t say the words. All my brain could focus on were those words. That side of the car took the brunt.The brunt. He was seriously hurt. My Richard.Oh God, how hurt? Was he dying?Not Richard. He couldn’t be taken from me. It was too soon. We hadn’t had enough time together. We needed decades more time. Our girls needed him. My breathing picked up again, coming out in short pants.Graham cupped my cheeks, his touch firm. “No, Katy. Don’t even think that way. He is Richard fucking VanRyan. He’s a fighter and the most stubborn man I have ever met. A car accident is not going to stop him. They are going to assess him and fix him. In fact, he’ll wake up and tell them how to do it properly, knowing him.”A laughing sob escaped my mouth. “I have to see him. He needs me, Graham.”“Let the doctors do their job, Katy. As soon as we can, we’ll get you to him. I promise. Okay?”I met his eyes. His worried, understanding, pain-filled eyes.“Be the str
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