“We talk once a week,” Connor added, grateful his aunt had derailed that rant.No matter how much family mattered to the Colonel, his relationship with Stormy, Cade’s mother, continued to irritate him.
“That’s not good enough.”
“Agreed.”Connor nodded.Cade did need to interact more.Their conversations were short, and Connor generally initiated them.Connor understood his brother’s reluctance—he was protective about his mother, and he carried the burden for their father’s death.It didn’t matter that no one blamed him.
“I want him at the next meeting.”
“I’ll see to it,” Kathryn promised.
“Let’s get through this.”The Colonel reached for an agenda.“I have an appointment with my trainer.”
“You mean physical therapist?”Kathryn asked.
“No.I hired a personal trainer.She has me lifting weights and building my endurance.Yes, yes, before you become the appointed nagger, the cardiologist, neurologist and a whole host of other names—all ending in ist—said it was okay.I’m going to participate in a five-k walk later this year.”
“Go, Granddad,” Erin said.
Connor looked down to hide his grin.
“I’ll be raising funds for stroke victims,” he added.“I expect you all to sponsor me.The foundation, as well.”
It wasn’t a question, and they all knew it.
Kathryn nodded.“Name the amount.”
“The more people from Donovan Worldwide who participate, the better.”
“On it,” Erin replied.“I’ll set up a team.”She ran the HR department, and she had a particular interest in wellness programs and getting employees involved in special projects.
As always, the Colonel’s determination impressed Connor.
“Now, where were we?”the man asked.
Erin updated him on the corset shop idea, ending with her proposal to invest in more small, regional loans.
He nodded.“Of course.Nathan will want to see how it can be profitable, but if Connor doesn’t object, neither do I, unless you overextend yourself.”He picked up an agenda and scanned it.“I don’t see BHI on here.”
“BHI?”Erin asked.“What about BHI?”
“Nothing much to report,” Connor said.“I had a meeting with Pernell and he threw me out of his office.I didn’t get to meet with the board or his daughter.”
“Not surprised,” the Colonel said.
“When was this?”Erin asked.
“Yesterday.”
“I had dinner with Lara.”Erin scowled.“She didn’t mention it.”
“Conniving bastard,” the Colonel added.“Nothing good comes of associating with the Bertrands.”
“That’s a broad brush,” Erin objected.“Lara’s one of my best friends.”
“Erin’s right.”Connor tapped the top of his pen against his agenda.“I don’t get the sense she’s much like her old man.”
“How would you know?”Nathan asked.
“Erin introduced us a few weeks ago.And I ran into her last night.She was getting off the elevator after I met with Pernell.”
