“I’m glad you’re all here,” he begins without looking at any of us.
Sure, come to your office at the snap of your fingers, but don’t address us with respect.
Typical.
“You did tell us to come, so,” I say and wait for him to get to the point.
His gaze snaps to mine.
Thank God I got my mother’s eyes, because I’d lose my shit right now if I were staring into a pair that looked like mine.
The only thing I share with the man scolding me is a name.
I’m nothing like him, and proud of it.
“And it seems you were the last to show, since you’re standing.”
“Actually—” Grace holds her hand up, but Henry waves her off in dismissal.
She was going to say that she was last and I stood, offering her my seat, but she didn't get the chance.
Truth be told, I wouldn’t have let her defend me. That’s my job as the oldest child.
If Henry sees me as the black sheep forever, I'll take it.
I don’t respond to his remark, which I'm sure pisses him off even more, but I don’t care. I just want to know why we are here.
“As you all know, I’ve been running this place for many decades now, and …”
His entire speech blurs in my mind as he addresses us as if we know nothing about him and his history with the lodge.
This man is something else, and the fact that we share blood is such a disappointment.
“… I will be officially retiring at the end of this quarter, passing it down to one of you.”
Now he has my attention.
“No offense, but I don’t want your job. I’m fine with my role here,” Gavin says quickly.
Dad looks at him with a soft expression.
“Thank you for bringing that to my attention sooner rather than later.”
His gaze shifts to Grace and then to me.
“Does anyone else feel the same way?”
Silence fills the room.
“Great, then Dutton and Grace, I expect the two of you to work harder than ever before to prove to me you want this, including putting together a ten-year plan to keep this place going.”
“I will,” Grace says and stands.
I have nothing to say.
“You can all go now,” he says, and I turn my back to him before I roll my eyes.
Gavin and Grace are following me out when Henry speaks up.
