She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “I’m sorry for being emotional.”
“We need to focus on keeping the Coopers running the same as they would if Dad were still here.”
Bre nodded and pushed a folder in my direction. “Last night, Mrs. Marsh called and asked me to put together Mr. Hubbard’s weekly schedule.”
I took the folder. “You don’t have this all on your computer?”
“I do. Mr. Hubbard liked paper. He said when he could hold something it was tangible—real.”
I opened the folder. The document was prepared as if Bre had copied pages from a daily planner. I began to read. My smiling facial expression didn’t match the fresh tears flowing down my cheeks. I looked up at Aunt Rachel. “Do you have a copy?”
She nodded.
“What do you think?”
“I think Reid will be missed. I also think that Bre is essential for helping the next CEO.”
“You don’t think that should be me?”
Aunt Rachel looked around. It was still the three of us. “I think that you’re capable, Vee. It seems to me that midseason isn’t the best time for a change of owner and CEO.” Before I could speak, she lifted her hand. “I also know we don’t have a choice. As Reid’s sister and your aunt, I’d like you to consider that you could assign the job of CEO to someone else on a temporary basis.”
That was similar to what Coach Tilson said.
Aunt Rachel went on. “And maybe that person could work with you so that you’re able to take over the position in the future.”
“Dad said you wanted to retire.”
“I told him that during preseason. I’m getting old and I’d like to enjoy life. Maybe travel and not for football games.”
I nodded. “When?”
My aunt sighed. “I told Reid I wanted to retire following the postseason.” She tilted her head. “I’m willing to work a little longer.”
“You’re essential with football operations.”
“The reason I asked Bre for this information was because my assistant, Millie Jones, is capable of doing my work. Similar to Bre, she’s been with the franchise for many years.” Aunt Rachel’s green eyes met mine. “Am I interviewing for the temporary position?”
“Do you believe I have that power?”
She inhaled and leaned back. “Who spoke with you?”
“Grant.”
Aunt Rachel swallowed. “Vee, Reid loved you. Do I wish he’d signed the new will? Yes. As a matter of fact, he and Darin were in a heated discussion during the last game. The reality is Reid didn’t sign. You, Maeve, are now the owner, just like Reid was when our father passed away. At that time, Reid and I were co-vice presidents. I was football and he was business.” She shook her head. “You know our history.”
“I do.”
The door opened and others joined us.
Chapter 13
Fin
The delicious aroma of homemade vegetable lasagna roasting in the oven filled Vee’s condominium. A Caesar salad sat chilling in the refrigerator, and a bottle of uncorked wine was breathing on the counter. The wine was a new bottle of Dangerous, the bourbon-barrel-aged semi-sweet red wine from Versailles, Kentucky, that Vee had opened for us the night of our disastrous and necessary quarrel. When I left that evening, it felt as if there was no chance for the two of us to find our way back together. Now, in retrospect, that discussion was exactly what we both needed to begin on our road to finding one another again.
Two people experienced the same breakup, and yet their points of view were miles apart. My thoughts went back to our time together in college. Vee was right; I would have treated her differently if I had known who her father was. At the same time, I missed out on knowing the real Reid Hubbard.
Ours was a relationship that could never be, not now.
