Chapter 31

thirty-one

DANIEL

I sat on the opposite side of the table from Ben. He was breathtakingly handsome, but the dark rings under his eyes worried me. He'd told me he was working long hours. What he didn't need to tell me was that it was taking a toll on his health.

My unexpected arrival wasn't helping, either. I felt terrible about him seeing the folder. Not because of what was inside, but because of the way he'd found out about the report. In my world, peeling back the layers of a person's life was part of what made my company a success. It reduced the risk of failure and gave me confidence that our future employees could provide what they said they would.

It took a particular set of skills to navigate through the information most people didn't know existed about them. And there was no one I trusted more to do the job than my brother.

Ben lifted a cup of coffee to his mouth and took a sip. "Why do you want to help my father?"

I couldn't afford to tell him the truth. He'd think less of me, and at the moment, I needed him on my side. "Your dad's a talented jeweler. He deserves a break, and I'm in a position to offer him one."

"What do you mean?"

"My brother's worried about my company's reputation if anyone realizes you're Tony Harper's son. I want to stop any false stories before they hit the media. We'll make sure our clients have the facts, not some half-baked lies they read in a magazine or newspaper."

I opened my laptop and showed Ben the draft website my PR team was designing. "Wilson Enterprises is in the process of reinventing our online presence. That means new products, new niche markets, and a more diverse client base. I believe your father has the experience and skills to deliver high-quality products to our customers. His designs are completely different from yours, but they have the same timeless elegance our customers expect. None of our competitors have a father-son jewelry design team creating unique collections."

"You want my dad to work with me?"

"It'll make it easier for your father and create a point of difference for our clients." I clicked on a tab at the top of the website. "We'll showcase the work Tony has already created and promote the collections he's designing with you. No one will refer to the trial again. If they do, my PR team will counter their information with press releases of our own."

I leaned forward. If there was only one thing I wanted Ben to remember tonight, it was my next words. "By the time my PR team has finished, your father's name will be on the lips of some of the biggest influencers on social media. Everyone will know Tony and Ben Harper. And, eventually, they'll all want jewelry from your collections."

Ben studied the page on the website. "Why are you doing this?"

I could have told him at least half a dozen reasons why I wanted Ben and his father working for me. But there was only one that mattered. "Because I like you. I've seen how much you care about Sunrise Bay and the people who live here. I want to help you build your business and, at the same time, relaunch mine."

"I've already told you how I feel about working with you."

"Do you think your dad wants to be part of Wilson Enterprises?"

"Dad won't risk his reputation again. He's happy in San Francisco."

"I could visit him and explain what I'd like to do."

Ben leaned his elbows on the table and rubbed his temples. "I don't think you realize how hard it was when Dad was accused of stealing someone else's designs."

I wanted to hold him in my arms and tell him everything would be okay. But I couldn't. "This could change your lives. Let me help your dad rebuild his career."

His gaze dropped to the website. "I'll talk to him tonight."

I let go of the breath I was holding. "If he has any questions, he can call me."

Ben nodded. "Where are you staying?"

"I'm not sure. I'll head into town and see what's available."

"There's a big music festival in Boulder this weekend. You'll be lucky to find a vacancy anywhere around here."

I hadn't thought to book my accommodation before I'd left New York. I'd assumed there'd be plenty of options available. "I'll go online and call a few places."

"If you don't find anything, you could stay in Acorn Cottage. My next guests don't arrive until Monday morning."

There was nothing I'd like better than to stay close to Ben, but it might not be the best thing to do. "I'll make some calls and let you know. Thanks for listening to me."

Ben walked to the front door with me. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes were filled with concern. "I'll call you as soon as I've spoken to Dad."

I nodded and left his cottage. The next few hours could make or break my plans to dominate the exclusive jewelry market. If Ben and his father didn't want to be part of the journey, I'd have to find another way to change their minds.