A low rumble starts deep in my grandfather’s chest before his hearty laughter pings the air.
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, perplexed.
He swipes at his teary eyes with his skinny fingers. “I’m laughing because I’ve never heard you use a derogatory name for anyone in your entire life. Especially a name as appropriate as ‘jerk’ for that jackass.”
I exhale a laugh of my own. Coming around to the edge of the bed, I sit close to him and link my fingers through his. “Pop, please tell me I’m doing the right thing.”
“I can’t tell you what to do. But you know, you don’t have to sell to him. You could wait for another offer.”
“I know.” I swallow hard.
The old man squeezes my hand. “Only you can make this decision. And remember, you haven’t done anything yet. You don’t have to do anything at all if you decide not to. When and if the time is right, you’ll know it. I’ve made some arrangements and some provisions for you in my will. You have great strengths, my boy. I’m ensuring you’re properly supported, even after I’m gone. You’re not going to be all alone.”
“Thank you.”
His slight smile induces a subtle tear to roll down his weathered face. “My greatest hope is that when I leave this earth, and you begin life on your own, you’ll always know that you were the greatest thing me and Rosie ever did. You’re my blood. You are and always will be my son. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.” My voice comes out in a soft whisper. “I love you, Pop.”
“I love you too.” He sighs and closes his eyes. “Whew, I’m feeling tired again. I might have to take a little cat nap if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead, Pop. I’ll be right here. I’ve got nowhere else to be.”
“Good. But before I drift off, I want you to get something from the bedside table for me. Would ya?”
I stand and open the antique drawer. “It’s in here?”
“Yes. It’s a folded piece of pink paper. You can’t miss it.”
I fumble with a few items, including a familiar leather-bound Bible that once belonged to my Grandma Rosie. The folded piece of paper catches my eye, and I pluck it from the drawer.
“I’ve got it. What is it?” I hold it up for my grandfather to see.
He closes his eyes and smiles. “Madison gave it to me on the night we first met. She slid it across the table at the Wild Daisy Café while we were having supper. I assumed it was the official offer from her company. I only looked at it yesterday. I thought you might want a look-see for yourself. Maybe it will help you make your final decision.”
“I don’t understand. I thought Global Dynamics couldn’t build on our land because of the underground spring?”
“Just open it, son. From day one, our girl knew all along…" His words peter out as he drifts off with a smile on his face.
I frown, unsure of what Pop means. Carefully, I unfold the slip of pink paper, my eyes scrolling the handwritten message Madison presented to my grandfather many moons ago.
My throat thickens, and I blink in disbelief.
Please don’t sell your beautiful farm to my company. We’ll figure something out.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Madison
“Where are you now?” Beverly asks.
I look out the hotel window at the less-than-stellar view of a parking lot below. The suite I reserved reminds me of my lonely city apartment back home. I exhale a long sigh.
“Chicago.”
“Geez, you haven’t been home in weeks. I don’t know if this promotion of yours was such a great deal after all. I mean, I get moving up the hierarchical levels, and that corporate ladder thing, but this level of responsibility sounds like pure torture. I hate your boss for putting you through this.”
I sink into the swanky chair next to my bed and kick off my heels. My sister has a point.
