to impress with my tall tales, wild ways, and that damaging video, which did so much harm, none of them—those kids—matter to me. The only people I talk to from back then are my brothers and your daughter.”
I take her hand in mine and trace out the veins beneath her papery skin. She doesn’t move or react in any way to show she knows I’m here.
“I hurt your daughter. I’m ashamed of what I did, and if I could, I’d go back and erase all the damage I did. I would make better choices. I want you to know I’m going to take care of Grace, in whatever way she’ll allow. You have no reason to believe me, or trust me, but I give my word. I’ll watch over your daughter.” Bowing my head, I say a prayer for Grace’s mother and thank her for listening to me.
A sound at the door lifts my head.
It’s Mark.
I stand quickly and take a step back as he moves to the foot of the bed.
“It shouldn’t be long now. Lucy will finally be at peace.” Red and puffy, his eyes brim with tears. “Where’s Grace?”
“She went to change.”
Mark looks over his shoulder. “How are things between the two of you?”
“They’re good, or at least I hope they’re good. I’m making up for past mistakes.”
“Grace is a good girl. Smart. She has a good head on her shoulders.” He grips the footboard of the bed tight enough to turn his knuckles white. “She’s destined for greater things than Atwood Estates.”
“I thought this was her dream. Isn’t Grace happy here?”
“That’s what she says, but she always had her eye on the corporate world. I hate that she gave that up.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I’ve tried to help. Offered to buy her out, but Grace is stubborn. She’ll cling to this place even as it drags her under, if only to honor her mother’s wish.”
“Grace can be tenacious, but Atwood Estates will turn around.” I speak with conviction and truth. Sterling Enterprises has turned around companies in much worse shape than Atwood Estates. “We made great contacts last night.”
“We?” The muscles of his jaw bunch.
“Grace did. She was amazing. You should’ve seen her sell the idea of Atwood Estates’ exclusivity. People love her.”
“I love her.” Mark looks down. His tired gaze travels up the length of the bed until he settles on his sister’s tired face. “Lucy, of course, loves her, but this isn’t what she wanted for her daughter.”
“If Grace goes, will you run Atwood Estates yourself?”
“I’ve pretty much been doing that since Lucy got sick. Talk to Grace. See what you think. Encourage her to follow her heart and not to burden herself with this. Maybe you can convince her to let all of this go.”
I’m not in a place to tell Grace to do anything. Everything Grace says and does, speaks counter to what Mark claims. Yes, she didn’t plan on taking over Atwood Estates, and the company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, but we made great strides last night. Those connections will bring in the revenue stream required to turn everything around. As long as their operation keeps up with supply, within a year, or two, this place will flourish. A knock on the door ends our conversation. My mother peeks her head in.
“Hi, Brody.”
“Mom.” I cross the room and give my mom a kiss on the cheek.
“How is she?” Mom looks into the room, hovering at the doorway.
“Hard to say. Sleeping?”
“Good morning, Mark.” Abbie forces a smile to her face.
“Abbie.” His shoulders slump as he practically falls into the chair I vacated. “It’s nice to see you. Do you want a moment to visit?”
“I will in a bit, but I came to make you and Grace something to eat.” Mom’s eyes sparkle. The answer to any calamity is a home-cooked meal, something she excels at famously.
Grace comes down the stairs. She draws my eye. It’s an instinctual reaction. Dressed in denim and a long-sleeved t-shirt, she looks far more comfortable than she did wearing my clothes. Although, I prefer her in my clothes, or out of them completely.
“Oh, you poor thing.” Abbie rushes over to Grace and gathers her in her arms. “How are you holding up?” Mom releases Grace. “Hold up. Never mind. Bad question.”
“It’s nice to see you.” Grace wipes a tear from her cheek.
“It’s nice to be seen. Now, you go in and sit with your mom. I’m going to take care of the two of you. I