Page 79 of Visions of You

Smiling, he clapped me on the back. “I’m sure it will. Things are going well with April? I was really impressed with how she handled that incident on theBenson.”

I hesitated, trying to figure out how to answer. Things were going very well with her, but not in the direction I’d intended. And that frightened me. I didn’t want to ever feel the way I did after Kora left. It made me wonder how Dad felt after Mom died. “We’re doing great together… Can I ask you something, Dad? It’s damn personal, so you can refuse.”

He peaked a dark brow at me. “Go ahead.”

“How come you’ve never remarried? You’ve never even been in a serious relationship that I know of.”

He smiled, but sadness lined the corners of his eyes. “There are several answers to that. But the bottom line is that I’ve never found another woman who made me feel like your mother did. She’s the example I compare all women to, and none have been able to match her.”

“It’s not because you never want to feel the way you did after her death?”

“Grief never leaves, Gabe. Your mother will always be with me. But it fades, and eventually, you realize you still have a life to live. That looks different for everyone. If I found another woman who measured up to your mother, I’d be happy to get involved again—love is one of the best things in life. But are we talking about me now? Or is this about how you felt after your divorce?”

I picked up a pen and twirled it in my hands. “Both, I guess. For years now, I’ve kept my heart locked up tight. Somehow, April’s managed to get hold of the key, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

Dad smiled. “A day will come when youwillknow. Then you’ll have your answer.” Then he breathed a long sigh. “But I’m glad you wanted to get together to talk finances. We’ve got some things we need to get settled. One in particular.”

Isn’t that the truth…

“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I have a business proposition for you,” I blurted out, nervous now that we were onto the subject I’d called him here for.

Dad’s face went blank. “Oh?”

“I saw that the loan is paid off, which is going to free up some cash flow.” His jaw tightened and his shoulders tensed, but I soldiered on. “I want to funnel profits from my Miami business to pay for upgrading the guest cottages. Then we can move on to the main facilities. What would you say to giving up some of your ownership shares to make me a twenty percent stakeholder?”

I’d done a complete 180 since arriving, going from not wanting to be here to doing my best to ensure the success of the resort. And thiswas a good idea, one I believed in. My heart pounded against my ribs as I waited for his reaction.

But Dad didn’t say anything, instead rising and moving over to the small liquor display he kept on a bookcase. I’d inherited my love of fine scotch from him, though he preferred Glenlivet to Macallan. He picked up a bottle of Glenlivet 18 and poured two healthy measures.

I slumped in my chair, my heart beating even faster. “Dad, it’s ten a.m.”

Returning to the desk, he set one of the glasses in front of me and took his seat again, holding his whisky in one hand. “You might want that in a few minutes.”

“Great. You hate the idea that much, huh?” I stared at the amber liquid and contemplated downing the entire thing.

“On the contrary, I think it’s a fantastic plan. And I can’t tell you how proud I am that you want to invest in the resort. And that you’re in a financial position to do so.”

I drew my brows down. “Then what’s the problem?”

He sighed and took a long drink. His throat worked as he swallowed, staring at the glass. “It’s the loan you were just talking about.”

“What do you mean? There are no more monthly payments scheduled.”

“No more monthly ones, yes. But there’s another payment due next month. A balloon payment.” Dad’s voice was flat, emotionless.

His last three words sent my stomach plummeting. Goose bumps raised the hair on my forearms. As a man who hated debt, few things got my back up more than balloon loans. “How much, Dad?”

Closing his eyes, he tipped his head back. “Two million dollars.”

The air exploded from my lungs in a rush. How was that even possible? “My God. Can’t you refinance the balloon?”

“I’ve tried, but my credit has gotten worse over the years. That’s how I got stuck with this loan in the first place. It was the only one I could get to keep the lightson.”

A deep sense of numbness overcame me, and I downed the shot of scotch. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He drank the rest of his glass and got up to refill both, setting the bottle on the desk. “Because I was ashamed, Gabe. I’ve been trying to get hold of another loan, but no bank will give me one. That’s why I’m talking to you now.”

I took another drink. “What do you mean?”

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