I think it will be better for everyone involved if the truth was out, and Hudson isn’t a child. He can put in his two cents and help you guys make a decision.”
I wonder what she’s talking about. What his family is keeping from him?
“Okay, I love you too. Bye.” She hangs up the phone and walks out. I try to act busy, not wanting her to know that I was listening in.
“Good morning,” I say as she steps up to the counter and starts looking over the mail I brought in this morning.
“Morning,” she replies, not looking up.
“Everything okay?” I ask, not wanting to pry but also not wanting to leave her hanging if she has something she needs to get off her chest.
“Men are so stupid sometimes, you know?”
I laugh. “Oh, I know. What’s going on?”
She shakes her head and drops the mail back to the counter. “It’s just that…” She stops, taking a breath and thinking over whatever it is she wants to say. “So, you know the Slades own the brewery, right?”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Well, that also means that they’re all pretty wealthy. I mean, they each have their own share of the business and family land and family money.”
I nod again, understanding.
“You can’t tell anyone this.” Her eyes are wide.
“I swear. What’s going on?” I feel my brows furrow together. Not only am I concerned for her since she’s married to a Slade, but I’m also worried for Hudson.
“They may have a long-lost half-brother out there,” she confesses.
“What?” How that could possibly be true?
She nods. “Turns out, back in the day, the boys’ dad had an affair around the time their mom was passing. Nothing ever came of it, but there’s proof that this woman moved and had a baby soon after.”
“Wow,” is all I can say.
She nods. “Well, that baby is now all grown-up. He’d be younger than Hudson is now, considering that Hudson was just a baby when his mom passed. But this guy’s apparently found out who his real father was. He did some digging and saw nothing but dollar signs. Now, he wants what he thinks belongs to him: his piece of the family business. But if he gets it, then everyone has to give up a small piece of their own share. All the guys have their own thoughts on all of this, but Hudson has been gone so he knows nothing about it. My lovely husband just thought to fill me in on the whole subject just a couple of weeks ago.”
“Is there proof that this guy really is who he says he is?” I ask, getting into the whole mess like it’s an episode of CSI.
“Drake’s wife, Celeste, she’s a lawyer. She filed for a court-ordered paternity test. I mean, nobody would willingly hand over a chunk of their business without proof, right?”
I nod.
“Anyway, the test came back positive. This guy is a Slade. But now it’s time for them to make their decision: give him a piece of the business, legally fight him, or maybe even pay him off, like, buy him out.”
“Damn, that’s so crazy. I wonder what they’re going to do.”
“Drake wants to meet him, get to know him like family and then welcome him into the business. He’s all about wanting to keep his family close. But the rest of them don’t agree with him. They don’t trust the new guy. I mean, who’s to say that this guy won’t take his share of the company, then up and sell it? That would give a stranger an in and then it’s no longer family-owned and ran. Not only that, but if the guys give up a piece of their share, it’s less they’ll have and less they’ll leave behind for their children.”
We’re both quiet as we think things over for a moment, but the silence begins getting to her and she shakes it free of her head. “So, tell me about you and mystery guy.” She smiles and leans down on the counter, watching me as I blush.
“We’re kind of having a secret relationship right now,” I admit.
“Ohhhh, sexy!”
I nod and laugh. “I know, it is! But it’s also nerve-wracking. I’m always worried about getting caught by my brother.”
“Well, maybe you should just tell him. Get everything out in the open. What’s the worst he could do?”
I shrug. “Throw him out and disown me?” I laugh. I haven’t even thought of the worst yet. “The thing is, my brother is my only family. He