Jackie gasps, covering her mouth with her free hand. Again, Jase looks at me, and I nod.
“Are you serious?”
He nods. “Yes, of course. Also, I’m not aware if Mark has told you by now, but we’re promoting you as well. To the director of our project management team. You will essentially be in the lead throughout this entire merger process and after that.”
“Thank you,” she says, her voice still sounding in disbelief.
“Thank you for the effort and work you’ve put in in such a short time with Cypress. We’re all looking forward to great things in the future. Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year.”
I dip my head at Jase as he leaves us.
“I can’t believe it. I wasn’t even sure I still had a job. Did you hear him?” She looks excited.
“I did. Congratulations.”
“You too.” She bends, kissing me, but before long, pulls back, gasping. “Do you know what this means?”
Shaking my head, I say, “No, what?”
“It means I can buy the house. Or, I can buy a new house for Mama and I. Probably not as big as the one we live in now, but so what. We’ll be free from under my father’s thumb.”
“Why would you want to buy a house for your mother that she already owns?” I ask.
She looks at me, confused. “Mark, I told you …”
Her voice peters off as she watches me pull out a folded paper from the inside of my tuxedo jacket.
“What’s that?” Her eyes lock on the thick, manila paper in my hands.
“Open it and see.”
She takes it from my hand, staring at me as she unfolds. Slowly her eyes travel from mine to the paper in her hands. I see the moment she realizes what she’s holding. Her eyes begin to water as she shakes her head.
“How?” she whispers. “How did you get the deed switched to Mama’s name?”
“A little Christmas magic.”
“Is this real?” she asks, looking at me.
I nod. “Your mother owns that house outright. She can keep it, sell it, or tear the whole thing down brick by brick. It’s hers along with the investments your father left behind.”
“Really?”
I nod. “It seems your Uncle Will received more money than he led you to believe. Around 1.4 million from your father’s estate. He signed that over to your mother.”
Again, she wears a confused expression. “Why would he sign that over?”
“Another Christmas miracle, baby.” Smiling, I wiggle my eyebrows.
“How did you get all of this done? Seriously.”
I pull her onto my lap. “I have a few connections. Being Connor O’Brien’s little brother comes with its perks.” I chuckle, knowing eventually I’ll have to tell Jackie of the many investments my brother put my name on; investments that come with connections all over the city.
“Either way, you no longer have to worry about providing for your mom. She’s taken care of, and your uncle will never darken our doorstep again.”
She looks at me with her mouth wide open. “He’s not dead, is he?”
