“I understand that, but my decision has been made. So let’s get into next steps.” He glanced around the table, his eyes resting on each of us for a beat. “You probably assume that I’m going to select a primary to take over my position running Ashford Enterprises, but I’m not going to do that. As the solo lead of this venture since my fatherhanded the reins over to me, I know that it can get isolating. Sure, I’ve built an incredible team, including the three of you, but the buck still stops with me alone. I don’t want to put the same sort of pressure on any of you.”
Harrison, Logan and I exchanged glances. Fuck, was he about to tell us that he was going to sell the business as well?
“That’s why when I resign, the three of you will be taking over as co-owners of Ashford Enterprises. You’ll each continue to run your divisions, but any company-wide decisions will require a three-way vote. Now, I consider this a sound business decision because I know each of you bring unique insights to the table. But it’s more than just that. My hope is that encouraging you to work together this way will bring you closer, and teach you to rely on each other when you need support. Even if you just want someone to listen.”
The room went silent as we all came to terms with what he was suggesting. My gut reaction was positive, but there were two other players in the negotiation, and we’d had our issues over the years. Things were improving between the Ashford men, but what my father was suggesting was a new layer in our evolving relationships. We were used to working solo. This new direction would force us into a place where we had to consider the greater good.
“I’ve spent too long trying to do everything on my own,” he continued. “It’s one of my biggest regrets that even with all of us under the Ashford umbrella, I never really felt like we were in businesstogether. We’re all very good at doing our own thing, but now my hope is that you’ll come to decisions as a team and work as one to keep the Ashford brand alive and well.”
I knew exactly what he meant even though I’d never considered it before. We all operated as individuals, and it had honestly never occurred to me that there was any other way to go. That seemednormal to me. Natural. While I was used to working closely with a team, there was never any question that I was the one calling the shots. I’d never really felt like I had a partner working at my side until… well…
But now that I was hearing Dad say it, it occurred to me how good it would feel tonothave to make every decision and solve every crisis alone in the workspace. To have people I could turn to for help, or advice, or just smack upside the back of my head when I needed it. I could count on my brothers for that, beyond a doubt. And it might be… good, to feel less alone.
In my professional life, that is.
Logan spoke up first. “That’s quite a gift, Dad.”
He nodded. “I see it more as a sound business decision, but yes, it’s a gift as well. What do you think? Can you work together?”
Harrison and I had bumped heads plenty over the years. He liked to make jokes about me being our father’s favorite, but I knew that there was pain hidden under the smile. Typically the eldest son was the shining star, it just worked out a little differently in our family.
Harrison had always gravitated toward Mom while I’d gravitated toward Dad—and then we’d lost Mom, and it had felt like Harrison was pulling away from all of us altogether. Things had gotten better,worldsbetter, since he had Gwen in his life, but we were all still getting used to the new normal.
I wanted us to be close, and I got the sense that he wanted that, too, but we both had strong personalities and it was a work in progress to figure out how to shuffle along together without setting each other off.
As for Logan, well, our youngest brother had always been the kind of follow his own path. Maybe that was just the lot of the youngest—trying to figuring out how to make his own mark rather than following in our footsteps. His methods hadn’t always been the healthiest when he was younger—extreme sports, partying, living large—but becoming a father had changed all of that.
These days, his world seemed to revolve around work and Noah, and not much else. There was a lot about him, frankly, that was a mystery to me, but I’d like the chance to get to know him better. To work with him, side by side.
“I like it,” Harrison said with a nod. “I’m in.”
“Same,” I added. “I appreciate your faith in us.”
“Yeah, it’s a no-brainer,” Logan added. “Sounds like the right move.”
Dad’s serious expression finally relaxed into a smile. “Excellent! I’ll get legal involved to draw up some paperwork, which I imagine will require a few extra meetings to sort out. But for now we’ve got a handshake agreement. We’ll do a press release once everything is settled.”
“Hey, while we’re together,” Harrison paused to clear his throat. “What’s happening with the house?”
Dad bobbed his head. “Coming along nicely. The greenhouse is nearing completion, which means we’ll be ready to put it on the market—once the three of you have had a chance to go through the place and figure out what you’d like to keep. I’ll be downsizing pretty significantly, so most of the furniture and décor will be up for grabs, and of course, we’ll need to go through the old boxes in the attic.” He grimaced. “Lord only knows what we have up there. But anyway, once that’s done, we should be able to move ahead pretty fast. Candace introduced me to a fantastic realtor who swears it’ll sell in days.”
And there it was, the invisible force that seemed to be steering dad into all of these questionable decisions.
“Yeah, what’s the deal with her?” Logan asked. “She sure is taking up space in your life these days. For someone who’s just a friend, she seems to have a lot of influence on you.”
“Not at all,” he answered quickly. “It’s just that I prefer picking someone via referral. It’s safer.”
“Well,Iknow people too,” Harrison interjected, sounding almost petulant. “You could’ve asked me.”
Dad chuckled softly. “And deal with the firing squad as I tried to determine my next steps? No thanks.” His expression turned serious again as he gestured to the three of us. “This isn’t easy for me either, and I didn’t want your voices crowding out my decision making process. I know how much that house means to you. To all of us.”
He looked down and tapped the table softly, like he was trying to focus himself to keep from being overcome by memories. “Your mother is still alive on Halcyon Drive, right?”
We all nodded silently. There were so many reasons why selling the house felt wrong, but that was probably the biggest.
“I understand that. But I need you to know that in a way, I’m trapped in amber in that house. It’s our past. At this point I have more life behind me than in front of me, and I want to drink up every bit that’s left—to enjoy new experiences instead of living in memories. Not to mention, it’s just so big. Bigger than one old man needs.”
“Dad,” I said quickly. “Stop. Don’t talk like that.”
