Page 88 of The Estate
“I love you, Rach,” he heard Jess whisper.
“I love you too,” Rachel whispered back.
Before either of them could say another word, Jess was striding away toward the ballroom.
Cal didn’t remark on the unshed tears welling up in Rachel’s eyes. He put a hand on her lower back as they resumed walking. He surprised her by opening a door before his office. Ushering her through, he noticed her looking around at the sitting room, converted to a conference room of sorts. A large table held files, floor plan drawings, and a few linen samples.
Rachel leaned her package against a chair. “I thought this was a storage room? Am I remembering that incorrectly?” she asked.
“Well, until quite recently, it was crammed full of random pieces of furniture and equipment. And hopelessly dirty. Jess made all this happen so that we could work on the gala in the same room.” He glanced at the organized chaos. “I have to say, it did make the process easier.
“Your sister is a force of nature.” His heart skipped a beat when she laughed, obviously enjoying his discomfort. “She’s like a cross between a general and a lion tamer.”
They both laughed until their eyes caught. Cal felt a punch of guilt. They hadn’t spoken since the argument on Sunday. He couldn’t believe he’d said those things to her. Kicking himself for the millionth time, he promised to make it up to her somehow. And that started with an apology.
“Listen, Rachel…”
“No, Cal, let me…”
“Please, Rachel,” he implored. “Can I…” He stepped closer. He desperately wanted to take her hand in his just to have that physical connection. Something to anchor themselves in this moment. But he didn’t feel he had that right anymore. “I have to say this,” he finished.
“Sure,” she acknowledged, her eyes guarded.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to quell his nerves. “I’m really sorry for what I said, Rachel. It wasn’t fair of me. You’ve been in a difficult position this whole time. Pinned between my parents, me, and your work responsibilities.”
“I’m sorry too, Cal,” Rachel said, taking a half step toward him. “The things I said were out of line. And I never should have interjected myself between Jess and your job offer. It wasn’t any of my business.”
“I heard what you did,” Cal said quietly. “With the report.”
“Oh,” she replied, her hands fiddling with her hair. “You heard about that?”
“I did. Actually, my parents told me. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but they’re here tonight. They told me you recommended opening the distillery. Did you actually include part of my business plan?”
“I did,” she replied sheepishly. “My apologies for that, too. I should have told you a lot sooner that I read your business plan,” she expressed regretfully. “I really have made a right mess of this.
“The afternoon I came to grab my notebook,” she explained. “I noticed the plan in your office. A quick glance through it and I knew that there was potential there. No offense to your parents,but I was starting to think their options were not the best way forward for White Hall’s future. Next thing I knew, I’d taken it.”
He was waiting for the anger to come—she’d taken his plan without permission—but it didn’t happen. “You know you could have just asked me for it, right? I would have let you see it.”
“I know, Cal,” she moaned. “That’s what makes this really stupid. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t ask you or, if nothing else, tell you I had it. At first it was because I wanted to avoid interrupting you yet again during your Friends’ Weekend, but then I waited too long to mention it. And it became this whole thing, and I couldn’t… I was embarrassed. But that’s no excuse. I should have been upfront with you.”
“Well, it worked out ultimately. For me at least. I hope pitching the distillery didn’t get you into trouble with your boss. Although, given that my parents have decided to go ahead with our distillery plan, I’m sure that should get you some brownie points at work. Or should I say blondie points?” He smiled.
Rachel’s jaw dropped. “They’re going to keep White Hall and let you open the distillery?”
Cal laughed. “Yeah. I can hardly believe it. You must have prepared one hell of a report.”
“I did not see that coming,” Rachel huffed.
“Me either.” Cal shrugged. “So we don’t end up here again, I plan to buy them out. That way I’m in control of White Hall’s future.”
“That’s amazing, Cal. The distillery and buying them out. I’m so excited for you.”
Cal took the last step between them, reaching out for her hands. Intertwining their fingers, he slowly rubbed his thumbover her hand, reveling in the softness. “All because of you, Rachel. So, thank you. And I pray you will forgive me for the other day. It was not my finest moment.”
Rachel squeezed his hands, her eyes glistening. “I overreacted too. I’m… I’m a little protective of Jess, but that does not excuse my behavior to either of you. She is her own woman. A force of nature, like you said.”
They both chuckled.
