Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sullivan’s watch beeped, reminding him of his upcoming FaceTime with Barry and Cindy.
He had called it. Cindy Blaise knew exactly what she had wanted in a house, and Sullivan had gone back to the drawing board a few times after each conversation with the couple.
He hoped his latest tweaks pleased the Blaises, and they could move forward with the project.
Getting up, he closed the door to his office.
Not that anyone was left at this time. Alexander Wagner didn’t push his people to work ungodly hours, as so many other New York firms did.
Most employees were at their desks by nine at the latest, with many arriving by eight.
Usually, the office emptied out at six. Right now, it was six-thirty.
He would have plenty of time to take the call and still meet his parents for dinner at seven-thirty since the restaurant was nearby.
He had seen them last month when he arrived back in Manhattan, but it had been uncomfortable for him. His mother peppered him with questions he didn’t feel like answering. Thankfully, his father had rescued him, talking about nothing but business. At least that was something they had in common.
His cell rang, and he touched the screen, seeing Barry and Cindy smiling at him.
“You did it, Sullivan,” Cindy declared. “The latest plans you sent nailed everything I could possibly want in a house.”
“You gave me good directions,” he told her. “It’s great when a client knows what they want, and I can marry their vision with blueprints in hand. Are you ready to look for a builder?”
The couple had already purchased a lot, which wasn’t that far from where Carson and Mila’s house stood, which he had also designed.
“Not a traditional builder,” Barry replied. “Keaton recommended we talk with Joey Jordan. He did some work on the Bay Breeze. We went over to see it and also met with him in person. He shared pictures on his website and had files on other projects he’s worked on over the years.”
“He has a small crew—only two guys—but we’re not in too big a rush,” Cindy added. “They’ll continue to complete renovations they’ve signed up for, and they’ll work on our house in-between those jobs.”
Sullivan smiled. “I’m glad it’s all coming together.”
“Are you sure you shouldn’t be doing this for a living?
” Cindy pressed. “I was invited to Mila and Carson’s, and I love what you designed for them.
I know you were responsible for creating Tidewater’s layout and you create all kinds of big, fancy things, but you could easily open your own place and design homes for people. I hear you even build furniture.”
In that moment, it was as if lightning struck him.
Why he hadn’t seen this light before puzzled him—but he was seeing everything clearly now.
He liked working on small-scale projects.
He enjoyed listening to a couple and then creating a livable, comfortable, affordable space for them.
More importantly, he missed working with his hands.
The hours he had spent crafting Nellie’s tables and Piper’s bookcase had taken him back to those happy times in childhood, sitting next to Pawpaw in the shop, magically creating something beautiful and useful from a block of wood.
For too long, he’d pushed aside what he wanted to do with his life.
He’d stopped fighting his parents years ago and simply gave in, becoming what they envisioned for him.
He liked the money he made, working for a prestigious company.
He certainly enjoyed the freedom of being able to design large projects.
But Cindy’s words had jostled loose something buried deep within him.
And it was time to be his own man. The man he now knew he should be.
“I’m happy you’re happy,” he told the Blaises. “Pass along my cell number to Joey. Tell him to call me if he has any questions regarding the blueprints.”
“Will do,” Barry said. “We’d love to have you over once the house is complete. Will you be coming back to the Bay?”
Sullivan nodded. “A whole lot sooner than I anticipated.”
When he got off the phone, he sat, shaking his head. It was hard for him to understand why he’d left the Bay.
And Piper.
He loved her. Loved her desperately. In the time he’d been back in New York, an emptiness had gnawed at him. He’d shoved it aside, burying himself in work.
Why hadn’t he realized that he’d foolishly walked away from a life of happiness with the woman he loved? Yes, he loved Piper. He’d never said it. Never thought it. But his gut told him she was the one who made him complete.
And he was going back to her. As soon as he could.
Sullivan left the office and took a cab to the mid-town restaurant where he was meeting his parents. The hostess recognized his name when he gave it to her and led him to a table. While his watch told him that he was on time, his parents were already seated, his dad thinking on time was late.
The trouble was, someone else was also at their table.
His gut clenched uncomfortably.
Taking a seat, he looked directly at his mother, who beamed at him.
“Oh, Sullivan. I want you to meet Anastacia Morrow. Her father is in banking and—”
Interrupting, he looked at the pretty stranger, who appeared to be in her late twenties, and said, “I didn’t know you would be at dinner, Anastacia.”
She gave him a coy look. “I didn’t know I’d be here either, Sullivan. Your mother and I were at a Junior League meeting this afternoon, however, and she insisted I come and meet you.” Anastacia paused, looking at him like a hungry wolf. “But I’m so glad I did.”
“I’m afraid this isn’t a good time,” he said, seeing the startled look on her face at his blunt words. “I have some very personal business to discuss with my parents. I’m sure you understand. I can call you a cab if you’d like.”
Anastacia’s face went from flirtatious to angry. “You’ll what?” she asked sharply.
At the same time, his mother said, “What in the world are you doing, Sullivan?”
“Trying not to air our dirty linen in public, Mother. Unless you’d prefer Anastacia stay, that is. I’m sure she’ll be able to give a full, blow-by-blow account of what I’m going to say to her friends. Her family. Other Junior Leaguers.”
“Listen here, son,” Father began.
He shook his head. “No, I’m done with listening. I’ve been the one listening to you for fifteen years. You’re going to be the ones listening to me for the next few minutes. I’m sure you’ll disown me, and I’ll be all right with that.”
Her face now bright red, Anastacia rose from the table, glaring at him. She looked as if she wanted to say something to him but thought better of it. He had to hand it to her. She walked away from their table with her dignity intact, her head held high.
“What is the matter with you?” Mother hissed. “Have you lost your mind? She is one of the most eligible women in Manhattan. Beautiful. Poised. Educated. It’s time you settled down, Sullivan.”
“I agree completely,” he said easily, taking a sip of his water.
The sommelier came toward them, but Sullivan subtly shook his head, and the man turned and headed in the opposite direction, stopping the server who also was approaching.
“Quit being cryptic,” Father admonished.
He looked at the both of them, seeing their outrage, and thought it was only going to get worse.
Then again, he’d most likely never see them again after tonight.
He would have the Roberts in his corner, though.
He thought how comfortable he’d been with Piper’s parents and knew he would grow to love them.
They wouldn’t judge him as his own parents did, and they would be adoring, attentive grandparents to the grandchildren Piper and he would create. That thought calmed him.
Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m going to leave Wagner Enterprises and do what I wanted to do with my life years ago, but I was too brainwashed by then and decided to please the two of you.”
His mother’s look of horror told him she knew exactly what he was talking about.
“You can’t mean it, Sullivan. You want…to become…a carpenter? Spend your days in a dirty workshop?”
“Part of my days,” he said cheerfully, the heavy burden which had been pressing on him ever since he’d left Piper suddenly easing.
“I do plan to craft furniture. Custom furniture. I’m damned good at it, and I will command excellent prices.
I also plan to keep using my architecture degree, however.
I’ve drawn up plans for two different friends’ houses in Driftwood Bay, and I plan to open Sullivan Design Studio. ”
It was the name he had once shared with Keaton and Carson. Just saying it aloud sounded right.
“My studio will offer architectural designs, as well as hand-crafted wood projects. I’ll create furniture. Wall art. Picture frames. Custom signs for homes and offices. The sky’s the limit in what I’ll design and craft and I’m going to be very happy doing it.”
His mother appeared flummoxed, but he actually saw a glimmer of admiration in his father’s eyes.
“I also plan to get married,” he continued, matter-of-factly. “Her name is Piper Roberts, and she’s smart, beautiful, and talented.”
“Where will you have this life?” his father asked.
“In Driftwood Bay,” he replied. “It’s a place which feels like home in a way New York never has.”
Mother looked as if she’d bit into something sour. “That place you’ve been living in Texas? Sullivan, how can you consider it? Your life is here. Your career. Your family.”
“My life is where Piper is, and that’s in Driftwood Bay. I also have made great friends there, Mother. People who are my chosen family. They don’t judge me. They are open and honest and friendly. They’ll be supportive of this decision.”
His mother started to speak again, but his father said, “Hush, Jacqueline. Listen to him.” He looked to Sullivan. “Does she make you happy?”
“Not only that, but Piper makes me a better man,” he responded.
“Then go to her. Make a life with her,” Father encouraged.
“Oliver!” his mother said. “How can you encourage such insane behavior?”
Though his father spoke to his mother, Oliver Shepherd’s gaze locked on his son’s. “Because if we don’t support Sullivan, we’ll lose him, Jacqueline.”
“No son of mine would do this,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Then I guess I’m no longer your son,” he said evenly. “I’m my own man, and this is the life I want. The life which will bring me happiness.”
“But you’ll be poor,” she said, looking at him dismally.
“I’ll make enough to be comfortable. Besides, I’ll be rich in love.”
“I refuse to come to this wedding,” Mother announced, her jaw tightening.
He looked to his father. “How do you feel?”
“I will be happy to attend, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.” It was the first time he had addressed his father that way, and Sullivan could tell his dad looked pleased.
“Have you spoken to Alexander yet?”
“No. I’ll tell Zane tonight when I get home. Since Mr. Wagner arrives so early every morning, I’ll go in around seven and tell him about my decision.”
“This is so wrong, on every level imaginable,” Mother complained bitterly.
Sullivan rose, and his father did the same. They shook hands.
“Let me know when the wedding is, son,” his father said.
“Will do.”
He left the restaurant, his step light, buoyed by happiness which was bursting from him. He loved Piper. He loved the idea of working for himself. He couldn’t wait to get back to the Bay.
Stopping at a vendor’s cart, he grabbed at Nathan’s and a soda, heading over to Central Park and taking a seat on a bench. It was nice to sit and relax as he ate the frank. His life would be radically changing, but his gut told him he was pursuing what was important to him.
And that was a life with Piper.
He wanted to call her, but what he had to say definitely warranted an in-person meeting.
With plenty of kissing. Deciding it would be better to surprise her, he began making plans.
He googled and found the Bay had one real estate agent.
He skimmed through the property listings, finding one which might serve as his office.
It was a small, two-bedroom frame house, but more importantly, it had a large, detached workshop in back.
It would take some time to fix it up, but he was on his own time now, not someone else’s.
Or at least he would be as soon as he wrapped up his time at Wagner Enterprises.
He decided to fly to Texas tomorrow and look at the property.
If he liked it, he would put in a bid on it.
As far as a house for Piper and himself, he would definitely draw up the plans so they could build their dream home from scratch.
He wanted her input regarding every room.
Every feature both inside and outside. The kind of brick they would use and the various plants and trees for landscaping.
How large the kitchen would be and if either of them would need an office.
It would be a labor of love. Their together, forever home.
Sullivan left a message with the realtor, asking for a late afternoon appointment to see the house.
He booked a flight to Houston and then one to Corpus.
He reserved a car at the Corpus airport.
He began looking at websites on how to incorporate a business in Texas and decided he would need an attorney to cut through the legalese in order to establish Sullivan Design Studio.
He itched to call and let Piper know he’d be in the Bay tomorrow, but it had been so long since they’d spoken.
He stuck with the thought of making it a surprise.
Telling her he was coming back to Texas permanently would only be part of the conversation.
He definitely would ask her to marry him, and that definitely needed to be something he did face-to-face.
He wanted to drop to one knee and see the look of astonishment on her face.
Hear her say yes. Taste the kiss celebrating their love and foreverness.
If he called her now, he would ruin everything by blurting out all his plans. Instead, he wanted things in place.
Then he would beg her forgiveness for having left in the first place—and pray she would say yes to his proposal.