Chapter 44

forty-four

DANIEL

Four days later, I was in my office, overseeing the marketing campaign for the tiny home village as well as running my company.

Owen sat opposite me, reading the proposal my team had put together. "It's a big project. Do you think four homes will be built by April of next year?"

I knew Pastor Adam was working to a tight time frame. The total project included twenty-five new homes as well as remodeling the four existing houses. "As soon as the church has permission to build the village, the drains and other groundwork will start. Each house only takes six weeks to build, so it should be achievable."

"What about the weather? When it starts snowing it won't give the construction teams much time to complete the houses."

That was one of the issues I'd raised with Pastor Adam. "There's an abandoned building on the edge of town. It used to be a steamboat museum, but no one's used it for at least fifteen years. Pastor Adam spoke with the owner and they're happy for him to lease it for the project. The tiny homes will be built inside the old museum and transported to the village."

I pointed to the document Owen was holding. "Do you think other companies will be interested in sponsoring the project?"

"I can't see why not. The photos alone will sell the village."

That's what I hoped Owen would say. I was impressed with the images Andrew had supplied and what my company had been able to do. But the proposal contained more information than what the project would look like and cost. Ben, Jonathon, and Paul had interviewed the people who regularly stayed at The Welcome Center. Anyone with half a heart would see what a difference the tiny village would make in their lives.

Owen placed the proposal on the edge of my desk. "Granddad said you were working until after midnight last night. You'll burn yourself out."

"You've told me that before and I'm still here."

"One day you'll listen to me. I know this project is a worthy cause, but why are you helping? You've got enough work to keep you busy without adding the village to your schedule."

"I want to help." I didn't need to see the expression on my brother's face to know Owen didn't believe me.

"Is it the project that's keeping you interested or Ben?"

I frowned. For the first time in my life, I felt torn between two very different worlds. I missed spending time with Ben. He had a way of filling the darkest spaces in my life and making the impossible seem as though it was only one step away.

Since I'd returned from Sunrise Bay, the days had been long and the evenings longer. Even though I'd spoken to Ben, it wasn't the same as seeing him. "I enjoy working on the tiny home project. Ben's different."

"How different?"

"I love him."

Owen's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Surer than I've been about anything. He's different from anyone I've ever met."

"I hope so. Have you told Granddad?"

I shook my head. "I'll tell him soon. Thanks for looking after Ben before we present him with the award."

"That's okay. I'm shocked no one has leaked his name to the media."

"Keeping anything confidential is difficult. I just hope no one discovers that B.J. Davis and Ben are the same person. At least until after the presentation."

Owen leaned forward. "What are you doing about his father?"

"The only thing I can do is make sure any negative publicity is squashed as soon as it appears."

"Have you told Ben about the board of directors?"

"I don't need to. They've approved the rebrand of the company and no one seems eager to get rid of me."

Owen snorted. "That's because the last quarter's financial results have been released. The shareholders received their biggest dividend payment yet. If the board removes you from the chief executive role, they'll be fired."

"I'm not taking anyone's loyalty for granted." I could have said a lot more, but it wasn't worth it. Owen had his own problems and didn't need to hear about mine.

"That sounds like something Granddad would say." Owen rose from the chair. "What time do we need to be at the Rockefeller Center?"

"Seven o'clock, but bring Granddad to my apartment at six. That way, you and Granddad can spend some time with Ben before you leave."

"Sounds good." Owen looked uncertainly at me before picking up his briefcase. "Ben is probably a good person, but be careful. If your relationship with him ends, you've got more to lose than most people."

I didn't need to be reminded about the contract Ben had signed. He didn't know it yet, but he was the new face of my company. If he left, the rebranding of my Wilson Enterprises would be a disaster and I'd be lucky to keep my job.

"I know what I'm doing."

Owen's eyebrows rose. "You said the same thing before you asked Tom to marry you."

And we both knew how that had ended.