by Kayla Hensen
She didn’t know what to say. This was the job she wanted. Working for Sinclair Enterprises was the dream location. For an ambitious woman, it was the dream gig. It looked great on a resume and the company treated you well but what Logan had done to Duncan…
He was still her boss. So Penny went and knocked on his door. “Good morning, Mr. Sinclair.”
Logan looked up from his desk and swiveled in his seat to angle toward the door. “Good morning! It’s going to be a busy one. I hope you’re ready.”
Penny nodded. “I’m always ready, sir. If you need me right now, I’ll fetch my laptop and materials.”
Logan scowled. “In a minute. Come on in for a second, Penny and close the door.”
“All right.” Penny tried not to sigh as she did so.
Her boss sat on the edge of his desk and pointed to a free chair. “Please, sit and tell me why you look like someone ran off with your favorite Gucci bag.” He grinned. “Just a joke.”
Not a great one either but maybe appropriate for the tycoon. Penny smoothed her skirt out as she sat. “Things with Duncan last night. He was devastated.”
Logan nodded. “I know. It didn’t go how I wanted it to go. Or how I even planned it to go. If he had stayed… but listen, he didn’t. He’ll calm down and then we can sit and have a chat. I can’t fix his relationship with his family, which I think is at the core of the real problem. But he’ll come to realize I’m not the enemy.”
Penny hoped it would happen the way Logan thought it would. “I’ll go get my things.”
“All right. I know you’re upset, too, and I’m sorry for that. I do need your head in the game. Do you think you can do that?”
Penny nodded. “Absolutely. I’m still here and ready to work.”
Logan grinned. “Good. We’ll order food through lunch.”
Her interests piqued a little bit. Penny hoped her heart would be in it. Because right now it was feeling very much broken.
Chapter Fifteen
It was a good thing Duncan had the pool house because he wasn’t up to seeing his family or anyone for that matter. He made a fool of himself the night before in front of the board and the shareholders. Rather than keep it together, he acted like a child and flew off the handle. He was caught off guard but that was only an excuse. He had to be better than that. Duncan knew he could and he could show his dad, his brothers, everyone that he could be a better man.
That he could be responsible. A good investment. He had blown through all his chances, was it possible he could get one more? If even that would be enough.
And that kiss. Oh mercy. An amazing kiss with a woman that made his blood boil in the best possible way. When Duncan was with her, everything felt possible but… There was always a but with him, wasn’t there?
But now might not be the best time to get involved with something serious. And it would be serious. When he touched Penny in friendship, it set his heart on fire. The way they connected and talked, Duncan didn’t know if he had ever felt that way about a woman romantically. The way they came together and just jelled.
Duncan craved more of it. But he couldn’t set her up for heartbreak. He needed to prove himself but he had no idea where to start. He could get her coffee, deliver donuts to her cubical and offer his goofy smile to smooth things over but that didn’t really fix anything, did it?
He had been applying band-aids all his life. Now he was ready to really fix things.
Now was the time to pull himself together. First things first, he got dressed for success. Tan trousers, a white polo, and a light suit jacket cuffed at his elbows. Duncan felt good when he looked good, so that was necessary to his plan.
Then he cleaned up the rest of the mess in the pool house until the place looked like it always had. True, there was a definite lack in stemware but that was easily fixed. The next step would be to grab breakfast.
Unfortunately, all the food was up at the house so he’d have to go out. Duncan grabbed his car keys and headed to the front door. He was just about there when a silhouette appeared on the other side and knocked. It was shorter than Dad, so he had no trouble pulling it open.
Jackson in his riding jacket and full beard stood there with his hand up and in knock formation. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d answer.”
“I didn’t think you’d come but I’m glad to see you.” Duncan shook his hand and they both clasped each other’s forearms.
“That was a real mess last night. I didn’t know what to think.” Jackson stepped in and closed the door behind him. He wore his riding blue jeans and a silver chain hung from his pockets. “I’m sorry I didn’t come and warn you before hand. I didn’t know…”
“Things would go that badly? Yeah, I didn’t know, either.”
“It’s messed up. Matthew should’ve warned you if Dad wouldn’t but you know he doesn’t do anything Dad doesn’t approve of.”
That was for sure. “Yeah, he acts like he’s inheriting a throne. Now he’s inheriting a kingdom that’s been sold to someone else.”
“It might not be as bad as all that. It’s not a merger so much. Logan will have some say in what the company does.”
“And if he decides to buy stock up from other people?” Duncan asked. “He’s in a great position to do that now.”
Jackson licked his lip. “Yeah, I guess so. Guess Dad sees it as worth the risk.”
“Or he’s panicking. Matthew’s too much of a yes man to talk him out of it. And you, well no offense, you never wanted anything to do with the business.”
“I rather ride and do my own thing but you—well, I thought you felt the same way. I know you worked for the company after college.”
“I don’t want to work for Dad,” Duncan corrected. “But I have no qualms with the company. I’d do anything for it and the family legacy.”
“Tell Dad that,” Jackson pleaded. “If you guys can work this out, it’d be for the best. I just wanted to come here and pledge my support, you know? I wanted you to know I’m in your corner. If you need anything, call me anytime.”
He was hitting the road against so soon? Duncan gave him a quick hug. “Be safe out there, brother. Where you headed?”
“Up the coast. I’m going to find my brothers. Tour up and down the seaboard. It’s quite the life. If you ever tire of the family squabbles and want to really be free, you let me know.”
Duncan thought he might like that someday but he wasn’t ready to tuck tail and run away yet. He thought he was last night but holding Penny, getting to kiss her and feel a real connection on what might be, made it so he wasn’t ready to give up and throw in the towel quite yet.
“I might take you up on that someday. We’ll walk out together.” Duncan threw his arm around his brother’s shoulder and gave him a squeeze.
“I gotta tell you, this went different than I thought it would,” Jackson said as they walked up the hill past the pool and tennis courts and toward the parking area. There was a motorcycle parked beside Duncan’s sports car.
“I had some perspective last night after I cooled off.”
“I guess so.” Jackson straddled his bike and lifted his black helmet. “You seem different. Settled. Was it that girl? Penny?”
Duncan wasn’t ready to voice his feelings about her yet to his family. Not even to Jackson. Instead, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “She’s a factor. She’s a nice person.”
Jackson nodded. “She must be if she can put up with you.” He grinned and slipped his helmet on. “Be good, brother! Good luck!” With a quick rev up of his motorcycle, he peeled out and out of sight.
Duncan stared after him a long time, envious of his freedom and lack of commitments. Jackson didn’t play the family game and Duncan didn’t want to anymore, either. It was time to clean up his act and prove to everyone what kind of man he could be.
Even to himself.
*****
For the next few days, Duncan avoided the house and everything Logan Sinclair
. He knew he wanted to make his stamp on the world somehow and he needed to prove he could. Life was about making lemonade or something like that when times went tough, right? What better way to show everyone he could succeed then by opening a business.
He had the capital and he had the know how.
Duncan toured the spacious office on the top of one of Hamilton Springs tallest skyscrapers. It had a great view and the budget was right if you had more than twenty employees. He could hear Penny’s voice echoing in his head about teaching him how to coupon. Could he do that? Did office complexes use coupons?
“It’s a little too spacious for me,” Duncan turned to the real estate agent. “I’m just starting out and finding my feet. So how about if you show me something on the ground level. I might be rich but I don’t need to bleed money.”
“All right.” She was clearly taken aback but Duncan didn’t need to throw his money around to prove who he was. He needed results. He wish it was a lesson he had learned earlier. “We can head downstairs. There’s a corner level on the ground floor that I might be able to interest you in.”
The ground floor made him cringe. Wasn’t that something they always frowned upon or smirked about. Those businesses that couldn’t afford to pay for the view? Duncan had to unlearn everything he had learned before.
“That sounds great. Let’s get started then.”
They headed out for the elevator. “I have to say, Mr. Williamsworth, I was surprised when you called me. I assumed if you needed an office, you could just have your pick from your family’s real estate offices.”
Duncan grinned, staying casual and cool. “You know how it is. Sometimes a little bit of space from the family is just what we need.”
She laughed. “I totally hear you! Let me show you one more on the fourth floor. It’s older and hasn’t been renovated but the price is right. Plus, it has nicer view.”
“Sounds great.” All things considered he was feeling pretty good. The future felt a bit brighter already. Once Duncan stepped inside to the bright office space with the rose colored carpets and high beam ceilings, he knew he had found the spot. First things first, he’d leverage some of his family’s contacts to replace the carpets but that was a simple step.
“I know you probably have a whole speech planned but let’s skip that,” Duncan said. “Show me the dotted line and let’s get this underway.”
The real estate agent smiled ear to ear. “Sounds great to me. Let’s run down to my office and we’ll get this taken care of right now.”
As Duncan followed her back into the hall, his phone buzzed. His mother had sent him a heartfelt plea. He really wished he could make her feel better and while he didn’t want to go up to the house, he promised he would, just to visit.
I’ll have a meal prepared just for us. Just… keep it to yourself for the time being. We need to work this out, honey.
Duncan didn’t want to disappoint her so he’d see her later. But if his dad wouldn’t apologize or take back the things he said, he didn’t see a way through. At least not yet. Not until he proved himself and then his dad could choke on it.
*****
It took a few days before Duncan managed to get up the nerves to go up to the house. Before long, he was sitting in his mother’s sitting room. She had tea service laid out and a plate of sandwiches for them to share. Mom wore one of her best yellow suits with a string of pearls and a white napkin covered her lap.
“You know, I’ve barely seen you since we flew in, not a judgement, just I miss my boy.” She smiled at him the way only a mother could.
Duncan put his plate down on the glass coffee table between them and wiped his hands together. “I know. Sorry Mom. You know it has nothing to do with you, it’s all about Dad.”
She nodded and placed a finger under her chin as she thought. “You know, he doesn’t mean the things he does or says. He’s hard on you because he loves you and because he sees the potential inside of you.”
“That’s what he said the night he threw me out of the house.”
Mom’s eyes darkened with sadness. “It was an unfortunate series of events. Deciding to take Logan Sinclair up on his deal was a hard move for him. It was emotional. Then you and he clashed. He was at fault but you were, too. You both could’ve handled it better.”
“I know. You’re right. I’m working on something to help. To prove myself. I can help the company, Mom. I know I can, even without Logan Sinclair.”
“It’s a done deal, Duncan. You need to let it go.”
He gazed off toward the window, watching a series of blue birds fly by. “If I can’t?”
“I think you can do whatever you want. Tell yourself you can let it go and you can move on.” Mom lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip.
“Now, tell me about that girl you brought the other night. She was lovely.”
“Penny.” Duncan couldn’t help a smile.
“Penny. What a sweet name. She seemed quite enamored with you. The way she rushed out after you…”
“She’s brave if not a little foolish. I don’t know if she should like me the way she does.”
“Yet she does.” Mom smirked. “That’s often the way it is. We fall for men who need a little more understanding than others sometimes. It doesn’t make being with you a bad choice. Sometimes the reward is worth it. Depending on the man and the relationship.”
“Wise words, Mom. I think of her every day.”
“So you haven’t talked to her since the party?”
Duncan shook his head. “She sent me a text message this morning but I wasn’t sure what to do.”
Mom pushed Duncan’s phone closer to him. “You call her. You tell her what you’re up to. Say your sorry, if you need to. Ask for time. Just don’t ignore her. Strong woman don’t like that. I could tell underneath her polite way, she’s a firecracker, isn’t she?”
Duncan thought to how she handled him and everyone around her. “In the best possible way. You’re right, Mom. I will. I just don’t know what to say.”
“The truth will never steer you wrong. If you humble yourself in front of her…”
“Me?” Duncan said with a scowl.
Mom laughed. “Even you, my dear boy, know how to be humble sometimes. Just reach deep down into yourself. If you do, the world may be your oyster.”
“Thank, Mom.” Duncan leaned forward and kissed his mother’s cheek. “You’re the best.”
“Come back soon and think about talking to your father. I’d never force you to, you know, but I think it’ll bring you a semblance of peace.”
Mom was right. Duncan picked up his phone and rushed from the room. It turned out Mom was right about a great many things. He brought Penny’s number up on speed dial and thought of calling her but he couldn’t bring himself to push the call button.
What was he afraid of? What was he waiting for?
Chapter Sixteen
Logan was keeping Penny so busy at work that she didn’t know if she was coming or going for the next few weeks. Her messages to Duncan had gone unanswered and Penny began to lose hope. Her own parents were constantly inviting her over for dinner and three weeks after the Williamsworth dinner party, Penny finally said yes.
She was tired of ducking their phone calls and plus she was really jonesing for a home cooked meal.
Her mom didn’t disappoint with a big pasta dinner with meatballs and piles of cheese on the side, fresh baked garlic bread, and a gallon of lemon iced tea. Penny happily sat and chit chatted while eating. The dining room hadn’t changed since Penny was little, with it’s elegant but cozy dark brown table. Pictures of family and friends were clustered on the soft beige walls. Plus an old fashioned chandelier hung from the ceiling.
Cozy and old timey, it reminded Penny of growing up and good times. It was everything that your parent’s home was supposed to be.
Dad cut his meatball in half with the side of his fork. “How’s working for Sinclair? Busy?”
“Really busy,”
Penny said as she spiraled her pasta around the fork.
Mom scooted in closer to the table, finally getting a moment to sit down. She passed Dad the basket of garlic bread. “I heard there was some sort of merger going on with him and Williamsworth. It was in the financial section.”
Penny did a double take. So, her mother read the financial section of the newspaper now? She doubted it and suspected Dad had been feeding her information. “Not a merger. More of a partnership. Logan picked up some shares and is on the board. The Williamsworths need it right now but it doesn’t effect their decision-making process.”
“Other than Logan gets a vote. He could sink them if he wanted to,” Dad said with a shake of his head. “Bad business decision.”
“Tactical choice. Logan is excited, he’s passionate. He has no desire to destroy their business or even fully take it over. He turned over a new leaf, remember?”
Dad snorted. “Seems like he’s very much the old Logan to me. Not saying I’m having coffee with the man…”
“Everyone has an opinion,” Penny grumbled under her breath.
Mom shot her a look. “Sooo… changing the topic, maybe you should tell us how Duncan is doing. You haven’t brought him up in a while.”
Penny shrugged. “We’re not talking right now. I mean, I’m not mad. He isn’t, either. He just has things to deal with.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” Mom said. “I know it must be hard. Living up to the name when you’re a Williamsworth.”
Dad nodded and responded with little more than a grunt.
“Because of the money?” Penny reached for her iced tea.
“Because of his grandfather. He walked away from being a billionaire to get into politics to help clean up the state. Might’ve been the most honest politician we’ve ever had.”
“Since Honest Abe,” Mom interjected.
