94

RICHARD

I CARRIED THE TRAY TO the kitchen, leaving Laura and Katy talking. Graham followed me, carrying the box and waited so we could go into the den and talk more. He glanced at the papers on the counter, picking up the job listing for Calgary.

“Really, Richard?” He smirked. “You would have died of boredom

there.”

“I couldn’t take Katy to Toronto. She’d be miserable.”

He studied me for a moment, a smile crossing his face. “How you’ve changed.”

“Grown up, you mean.”

He nodded, clapping me on the shoulder. “It’s good to see.”

I glanced over his shoulder to where Katy was standing, hugging Laura. “It feels good,” I admitted. “I never thought it was something I would experience.”

“The right person can open our eyes to many things, Richard.” He was right.

He held out my new contract. “Let’s go sign some papers.” “Why did you bring my things if you planned on rehiring me?”

A strange look crossed his face, and he flipped open the lid. “The box is empty, Richard.”

I gaped at him. “What? Why then?”

“The same reason we showed up unannounced. I wanted to see how you would act if you thought it was over. I wanted to see your real, gut reaction. Not one you had planned in advance.”

“And?”

“You looked shattered.”

“I was. I wanted to keep working for you. When I saw the box, I knew I’d fucked it beyond repair. I wasn’t surprised, but it hit me right then, how much I wanted it. I knew there was nothing I could do to fix it. I had done it to myself after all.”

“Your reaction told me everything I needed to know. You were upset, yet you immediately reached out to comfort Katy. I knew you had really changed.” He grinned. “Sorry for the subterfuge.”

I stuck out my hand, which he took, shaking it hard. “I understand.”

He flipped the lid shut. “Use it and bring a few more things into the office. Make it yours, Richard.”

“Does anyone know?”

“Outside the family, no. The staff thinks you’ve been off with Katy. You come in on Monday and start again. No one else is the wiser.”

“Thank you. I won’t let you down this time.”

“I know,” he said and nodded emphatically. “I know.”

A short while later, Graham shook my hand goodbye. “I’ll see you Monday.”

Laura gave Katy one last hug, then turned to me. “We expect great things of you, Richard.”

“I’ll deliver.”

She patted my cheek. “I know you will.”

“I have a lot to make up for, and I’ll do my best.”

“We’re starting fresh. You come in on Monday with a clean slate with Graham and me.” She smiled ruefully. “You can work through your relationships with Adam, Jenna, and Adrian on your own. They had equal say in keeping you on, and they all were for it.” She arched an eyebrow at me knowingly. “Although, I think one of my children may have more to say on the subject than the other.”

I snickered. “Of that I have no doubt, and I’ll take whatever anger Jenna wants to direct my way. I’ll make sure to talk to all of them in private next week.”

“Welcome back on board, Richard.” “Thank you.”

I walked them to the elevator, returning a few moments later. Katy wasn’t inside the door, or in the living room. I hurried up the stairs, surprised when I found her sitting on the chaise in her old room.

“Sweetheart?”

She looked up, a somber look on her face. “What is it? Why are you in here?”

She shrugged. “I was thinking.”