Page 98 of Just a Plot Twist
Thomas gives a curt nod. “There are loopholes, but it looks like it’ll hold. Legally, he has to wait a year before branching off. But if his daughter redoes the paperwork, there’s nothing stopping her from owning the business herself.”
I blow out an easy breath. “Even with the possible loopholes, it’s what we were hoping for. Congratulations, Thomas. I’m sorry it had to happen the way it did, but you can protect the company from further damage.”
He gives me something of a smile. “Thanks, Benson. We’ll recover. We always do.”
The Tates do always recover, but the toll that losing a close friend might take on Thomas is yet to be seen.
Several members of the community approach the family during a timeout. May as well pay attention to them instead of the impassioned Alec giving his players a talking to.
Thomas’s phone rings again and he stands and moves away to answer it.
Oliver introduces me to Dora Slater, a member of the community and one of the many who’ve known my brothers since they were kids coming here to Longdale in the summers. She reminds me of one of the Golden Girls. “Your father made a contribution to the trailways initiative,” she says to Oliver, her eyes wide. “Is he a fan of Longdale?”
“It’s growing on him,” Gabriel says.
I thought he’d rescinded it, but I’m not about to ask Dora.
“I didn’t know about a contribution,” Sebastian says, looking around at the rest of the brothers. “He probably doesn’t want that spread around.”
“Oh, Sebastian, I haven’t,” Dora chides. “You think I’m a big gossip, but I’ve changed my ways, I swear.” She’s protesting too much.
She hasn’t changed her ways.
“How are things going for you, Dora?” Milo asks.
“Milo, I should be asking you that. It’s nice you’re back in town for a bit. And you, Benson. When are you going to move to Longdale? With everybody here—Milo’s promised he’ll come back as soon as Rose finishes school—you should join in. It’s fun here!”
My mind goes to Claire. I might like being here, if it means I can be near Claire. We could hike all the trails, I could help her with her project, and it’s not that far away from Highlands Ranch and the kids.
Things were tense the last time we spoke, though, an unease I’ve never experienced with her before. I ache to see her and make things right.
I swallow at the memory. And the distance between us brings up a lot of old, standby feelings.
Memories of Danica leaving. The chill between us. The panic of watching her shrivel away from our marriage right before my eyes and my being ridiculously powerless to stop it.
Things aren’t the same with Claire and me but try telling that to my racing heartrate and lump in my throat.
Before I can answer Dora, another woman joins her. “Did you ask them?”
Dora frowns, giving a light push against her shoulder. “I’m not going to ask them that. It’s too personal.”
“Inappropriately personal questions from you, Dora?” Henry teases with mock surprise, and because it’s Henry and more teasing than we usually see from him, we all laugh.
“Some are wondering about the sizable donations from the Tates for our trails here in town,” the friend says ruefully. She looks at me. “It’s strange since you’re dating Claire Lawson. I thought these things needed to stay separate. Church and state?”
“It’s not church and state, Salome!” Dora cries. “That’s not right at all.”
Oh boy. What are we into now? “That donation was from Thomas and Celine. Not me.”
“Well, it’s a conflict of interest,” Salome says.
Dora glares at her. “It’s not a big deal.” Her tone is sharp. “Besides, things with Benson and Claire are new and we don’t want to insert ourselves where we shouldn’t.”
I manage a smile. “Claire’s great. We all wish her nothing but the biggest success on the trailways project.”
Which may or may not still have a large donation from Foundations.
Thankfully, Oliver changes the subject, asking Salome and Dora about their families and jobs.
