Page 30 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

He always knew he’d reach out to Kyle Raymond but was just biding his time until it felt right.

He wasn’t so sure this was the right time, butKelseyfelt right so he had to push up his agenda.

When he stopped in his driveway, he was bent over gasping for breath feeling as if he was trying to outrun his life and memories.

Only he had no memories of his grandfather other than what he’d found in the house.

One photo of his mother as a child with whom he suspected was his grandmother. There were two of him as a child too, but nothing more. Like baby pictures. Birth and a year could be. He didn’t know exactly.

It was beyond creepy in some ways. Yet he took the inheritance when everything in his brain told him not to.

His heart said his mother would want this and he was going to lead with that feeling.

Just like that same feeling he had with Kelsey days ago.

Once he was showered and dressed, he grabbed his keys and climbed into his truck. Nice and early he’d be meeting with Kyle. Might as well get this over with so he could figure out the rest of his life.

He pulled into a building that had a bunch of small businesses around it. He knew Kyle’s office was there. He’d driven by many times wondering if he’d have the nerve to enter.

He parked and sat in his truck for a few minutes to get his bearings and then got out and opened the door.

“Donovan. I’d know you anywhere.”

“It’s Van,” he said. “Not Donovan.” He hadn’t heard that name in years. His mother had named him, called him Donnie once in a while until his father said it was too wussy sounding. That Van had more of a masculine ring to it.

Funny how he remembered shit like that.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kyle. I’ve been waiting for you to make the move. How do you like living on the island?”

His jaw dropped. He’d never said he was living here. Just said he’d like to meet and could as soon as Friday. Never said if he was visiting or anything.

Kyle smiled. “We have a lot of resources on this island. Just like I’m positive you know a lot about me since we are business partners. More than your grandfather’s attorney would have shared.”

There was no reason to hide that fact. “I know some. Not all, I’m sure.”

“No,” Kyle said. “Please, come into my office and we can talk privately.”

Van looked around the office. Saw a woman sitting at the desk typing away. She looked up and smiled at him, then he followed Kyle down the hall where there were more offices and people in them.

“It’s quiet in here,” he said.

“Yes,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of employees and businesses, but we do all the administration of those businesses here. It’s normally a bit more relaxed, but they knew you were coming.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked. He pulled out a chair in Kyle’s office. No reason to wait to be told to be seated. He owned some of those properties and businesses Kyle talked about.

“I think they wanted to make a good impression. They work for me, but you know, you do own three hotels with me.”

“I don’t know the first thing about any of this,” he said. “I’m glad there is a property manager for the other rentals.”

“Robert works for me,” Kyle said. “Barry didn’t like the guy he had the past few years. He thought Nolan was taking advantage of things. Your grandfather was cutting back on his work and felt comfortable paying me an amount to have my staff deal with things.”

He hadn’t known that. “If you knew I was living on this island, why didn’t you contact me first?”

Kyle leaned back. He could see parts of Kelsey on the man. The blonde hair and around the eyes, but nothing more. Kyle was a big man and he was assuming Duke got that from his father based on the family picture he saw hanging on the wall, and Kelsey’s size from her mother.

“I know your situation is unique. You’ve only met your grandfather once.”

“What?” he asked. “No, I haven’t.”

---