Chapter Eleven #4
The assistant returned carrying a three-tiered serving tray filled with finger sandwiches and sweets.
Kate reached for a savory and again indicated Oakley and Cheyenne should help themselves.
“There is something that rings a bell about the photo, but I can’t say what.
I’m sorry I’m not more help. I’ve seen dozens of baby pictures over the years and they do all blend together after a while. I am one hundred, after all.”
“That’s what I said, but I don’t exactly see many babies. I don’t have my own family yet.” Oakley sipped more tea.
“You should get on that,” Kate told him, a sharp twinkle in her eyes. “You’re not getting any younger.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” Cheyenne added, piling on. She winked at him before innocently sipping more tea.
“Trying,” Oakley deadpanned. Changing the subject, he circled back to his father. “I also wanted to apologize for our dad crashing your party.”
Kate wiped her fingers on a square napkin.
“Added some excitement,” she chuckled. “And as I told your dad, I didn’t know that Archibald had a younger brother who’d been put up for adoption.
I met Archibald when he was a scrappy, ambitious eighteen-year-old who appeared in my office one day to ask for a loan. Did you know he’d once lived in barns?”
“I did not.” Oakley reached for a chocolate. He knew very little about Archibald.
“He charmed me, so I gave him a thousand dollars to chase his dream. He showed promise, and he built Fortune Airlines using hard work and gumption. His daughter, Madeline, planned my birthday party. I believe you have your own company, Oakley?” She tilted her head.
He had been absently staring at the comb holding one side of Kate’s silver hair back and was caught off guard. “Yes, Fortune Rodeo Corp. We held our huge championship showcase last weekend in Dallas.”
“Tell me more,” she suggested, and Oakley knew that the old woman didn’t have any more information on the baby picture Johnny Doe had had in his pocket, or if there might be a connection to Clemons.
He and Cheyenne left after tea, and after Kate had assured them that if she remembered anything that might help them identify Johnny Doe and his connection to Clemons, she’d contact them immediately.
“She’s nice,” Cheyenne said. “I hope I’m that with it at age one hundred.”
“Same.” Oakley navigated his way back into town. “I just wish she’d had more answers. We’re no closer than we were before.” He pressed a button on the dash and asked Siri to call the hospital. The operator connected him to the lab, where he asked the lab nurse the status of his DNA test.
“Hello, Mr. Fortune,” she said. “We’re sorry we don’t have those results yet. We understand you want to check on familial connection to Mr. Doe, but unfortunately, there’s a backlog. It’ll probably be a couple more weeks. It’s marked high priority and we are doing the best we can.”
Oakley thanked her for their time and ended the call. “See. Nowhere.”
“Just like Dad’s cat,” Cheyenne lamented. “There have been multiple sightings and people keep calling the reward hotline, but nothing’s panned out yet. It’s sad and discouraging.”
“I can’t imagine how Dad feels—the not knowing.” Oakley drummed his fingers on the steering wheel in a rapid staccato.
His sister peered at him. “This is more than your DNA test being delayed. What’s got you tied in knots? Although, if I wager a guess, it has something to do with that pretty admin of yours.”
“We kissed.” Oakley couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. He didn’t add the rest of what they’d done.
“What?” Cheyenne turned in her seat to stare at him. “How long have you been holding on to that? I can’t believe you didn’t say anything.”
“What can I say? That while it didn’t feel like a mistake, it is a mistake? We can’t mix business with pleasure. And she’s worth so much more than some cheap fling.”
“You’re saying you wouldn’t offer her anything more than a fling?” Cheyenne asked. “That’s not like you.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying she’s the type of woman who deserves a real relationship.
I’m her boss—I can’t give her that.” Because he was too focused on the company, he’d probably lose her like he’d lost his ex.
Though it pained him, he couldn’t be selfish and keep Rachel from finding happiness.
“You’re looking at this wrong. You are the boss, Oakley. You can do whatever you want. You already have, when you offered to pay her more after she quit.”
“Don’t you think I haven’t considered that?” he bit out. “You heard Evanston at dinner after I bought the baby stuff. He said it was inappropriate. I can’t date her and be her boss. It doesn’t work. Besides, my ex is proof I’m bad at relationships.”
“You have always figured out how to do the impossible,” Cheyenne said as he drove up to the hotel. “It’s one reason I’ve always looked up to you. I’m rooting for you, whatever you choose to do. But if I were you, I’d figure out a way to have it all.”
Could he? He simply needed to figure out how.