Chapter Five
Love, Loyalty, and Legacy
Cal stood outside the room, listening to the rapid clicking of Rachel’s heels as she retreated down the hall. When he caught his gaze roving over her, his eyes inexplicably drawn to how well she filled out that pencil skirt, he made himself turn away.
He found it unbelievable that she was assigned to his parents’ damn project. He’d worked hard to get mentally prepared for this meeting and seeing her had thrown him.
He’d thought of her in the last few months, more often than he was willing to admit.
Thinking he might apologize, he’d sought her out at the reception.
When he entered the ballroom, his eyes had immediately found her.
She was sitting with her friends, or he assumed they were.
Her head thrown back as they enjoyed a good laugh.
Hearing her laugh as it rolled through the room filled him with warmth.
When a guy approached and placed a drink before her, Cal forgot to breathe. Was she here with someone? He hadn’t considered that. He only relaxed when the guy moved off to the dance floor with a different woman.
Calling himself seven times a fool, Cal made himself leave the reception. She’d obviously forgotten about their argument and was having a great night. He should leave her to it.
It was her laugh he’d thought about most. That and the fiery look in her eye when she called him an ass.
Seeing her here today had made it clear Rachel hadn’t forgotten their argument.
Not even close. And now, thanks to his parents, they’d be working closely in the coming weeks.
Rubbing his hand down his face, he wondered what could possibly make this day any worse.
“Alaric,” his mom called from the elevator. “Are you coming?” Signaling he’d heard, he walked down and joined them. He preferred not to have the discussion they needed to have while in the building, so he followed them out and into the attached parking garage.
Before he had a chance to open his mouth, his mother turned to him. “Is there a problem with Rachel we should know about?”
Cal didn’t need to think twice. He automatically answered, “No.”
Under no circumstances would he tell his parents about any issues concerning an event.
By all accounts, the wedding and reception were a success, but if he told them the story of his encounter with Rachel, his parents would use it as a perfect example of why the event business was a mistake.
He’d long since gotten used to disappointing them. He just didn’t want to hear it again.
He had to protect White Hall and fervently wanted to see it thrive again. He would do it for the grandfather who loved him and because all of his best memories happened there. “There’s no issue with Rachel,” he reiterated.
His mother searched his face, trying no doubt to see if he was lying. “Alaric, I realize you don’t agree with the plans we have for the property or with bringing in an outside consultant, but we expect you to cooperate fully with this company.”
Cal’s jaw tightened, but he responded calmly, “I promised I would, so I will. Although, I hope you’re still considering giving me more time with the estate,” he couldn’t resist adding.
If it had been solely for himself, he never would have begged.
But for Pops and his legacy, he would walk on his knees, if that’s what it took.
“While the business hasn’t brought in as much money as you wanted, it is still profitable.”
“Then I’m sure the report Connor Pops covered the rest.
Over the years, he and his parents had come to an uneasy truce. They thought he just needed time to come to his senses regarding working as a stockbroker. Cal thought they just needed to loosen up and realize he had his own dreams to pursue.
Cal wouldn’t give his father the satisfaction of knowing his dig at Cal’s business degree hit a nerve.
So he schooled his face to give nothing away, as his stomach churned.
Ignoring his dad’s comment, he said, “What I’ve started and the plans I have for the property are good business.
You’ve hired an outside firm to come tell us what to do with it, but you won’t even listen to what I want to do to it.
I have a roadmap for the estate’s next five years that creates a solid foundation for continued success and sustainability. ”
Cal exhaled sharply. He was tired of arguing with them. He had hoped turning the estate into an event venue was the start of a new chapter. An opportunity for them to realize what he could do and what the estate could become.
He’d been wrong.
“I realize you don’t understand my desire to run the estate events and open the distillery, but I need to do it. It’s where my interests lie, and I excel at it.”
He hesitated before saying, “I know your wish is for me to work at your firm, but that’s never going to be my chosen life.”
Although he wasn’t surprised when his parent’s only response was more disappointing looks, that didn’t stop his chest from hurting. He would never win, but he had a hard time not continually trying to reach them.
Perhaps it was simply unreasonable to expect that they ever be proud of him. From any outside measurement, he was a successful businessman, but to his parents he continued to be a failure. It was a weird and depressing dichotomy to live in.
If he’d been able to attract other types of events besides weddings to the venue, he had no doubt that he would have met or exceeded the profitability goals his parents insisted on.
With time, he was confident he could do that, but that was the one thing he lacked.
Time. With hiring this firm, his parents had made their decision clear.
Even if they used the trust payment for a commercial kitchen, the distillery and his other plans would be delayed for years.
He stood there a moment wondering how else this day could suck, when his phone rang.
Seeing the call screen, he knew he’d just jinxed himself. As he rubbed his forehead, the annoying pulsing in his head flared into an outright tension headache. He nodded goodbye to his parents and started walking toward his car. There was nothing else for him to say. He should stop trying.
Resignedly, he answered the call. “Hey Trace. Did the remaining shipment arrive?”