Page 97 of Finding You
He said nothing. Just sat and stared at the water silently.
“I reviewed everything,” he said quietly. “Callum came over and walked me through some of it.” I made a mental note to thank Callum. I know my dad respected his opinion, and he played a huge role in helping me put the plans together.
“Dad, I know that I’m a disappointment to you.”
His neck snapped around quickly. “How can you say that?”
“Because I don’t have a degree like Liam and Callum.”
He sighed and shifted on the couch. “I don’t give a shit about that. I don’t have a degree either. A piece of paper doesn’t make you smart, it doesn’t make you hardworking, it doesn’t make you a man of integrity. You are all of those things, Declan.”
Wow. For a man of few words, my dad sure had a lot to say on that matter. I sat silently, letting it all sink in. I had convinced myself that he didn’t notice how hard I had worked, how devoted I was. Maybe I had been wrong?
“I have had my head too far up my own ass to notice. My heart attack really sobered me. This career has taken a lot out of me, and I’m ready to try some new things. I am still young, and I want to focus on my health and enjoying myself. I took my father’s legacy and built on it, and now it’s your turn.” I was amazed. Who was this man and what had he done with my father?
“I don’t agree with everything you propose. And I don’t understand some of it either. But I support you and your vision and I know you have a good head on your shoulders.”
My heart soared. “Thank you, Dad.”
“This is difficult for me. This was my life’s work. I started working on boats in second grade. My life has been the ocean, and I spent so many years fixated on success and growth and learning to never rest on my laurels. That’s why I’m never satisfied. Because I can’t forget where I came from. I can’t forget the legacy of our family, coming to this country with nothing and building something.”
I nodded. I knew this place meant so much to him. I wanted him to understand it meant just as much to me.
“I don’t want to hand the company over to you because I can’t let it go, not because you aren’t qualified or I don’t trust you. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me.
“Your mother says I have to start enjoying my retirement. Isn’t it bad enough I’m eating vegan and doing yoga? Now she wants to book one of those bus tours of Europe.”
I chuckled. A bus tour of Europe was my dad’s idea of hell. “Dad, you’re lucky that she wants to spend time with you.”
“I guess so. And you know me, I’ll do anything to make your mother happy.”
I smirked. Even as a small child it was clear who wore the pants in our household. My dad may have been a leader outside the home, in the navy, and on his boats, but inside he toed the line.
“Did I ever tell you about the first time we met?”
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, I’ve heard the story a million times. You were on leave from the navy, and she was a waitress at a restaurant in Boston.”
“Yup. And my buddies and I came in for dinner, and I took one look at her and decided that she was it for me.” He got up and walked over to the window. “I went back to that restaurant every night for a week and asked to be seated in her section. Every single night I asked her out on a date. And she kept saying no.”
I laughed.
“But she finally said yes. I think she didn’t want one guy who only could afford to order soup taking up a whole table in her section every night. And the rest is history. I have loved her every minute since.”
I smiled. I had heard this story more times than I could count, but it was another reminder that my parents made it work. They fell in love and built a family, a business, and forty years of marriage together. “That’s sweet, Dad.”
“That’s the thing, son. When you find your person you have to be persistent. Once in a lifetime love isn’t easy. It doesn’t fall into your lap. You have to fight for it and be willing to wait it out if necessary.”
“But I just don’t know if I’m up for it, Dad. The husband and father thing.”
“Why don’t you take it one step at a time and be a boyfriend? I doubt Astrid wants a ring or a baby tomorrow. She seems like she has a lot going on.”
“That’s true. But I doubt she’ll take me back.”
“Son, you need to believe in yourself. You need to see what the rest of the world sees. You command respect. The crew loves you. Vince hates everyone and barely tolerated me, and he is totally loyal to you. Do you have any idea how many times he’s hinted that you should be CEO?”
I had no idea. I was touched. Vince was a tough nut, but he knew everything and was my right-hand man. I trusted him. “Wow.” I scratched my chin. Maybe my dad was right.
“I don’t want you to think I want Liam and Callum here instead of you. That’s not true at all. Would I have loved all three of my sons to take an interest in the family business? Of course. But you, Declan, you love the ocean, you love those boats and the men who work them. This business is in you, in your blood and your bones, just like it was for me. And I’m proud of you. And I will be proud to fully retire and promote you to CEO.”
