Page 32 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

His father didn’t know he was here and inherited any of this. It was the one thing he’d kept quiet about. He told no one anything other than he was moving. He didn’t even tell his father he was moving, and if Adam Harlowe found out, it would be through a third party.

“Most likely,” Kyle said. “I only know what I was told, as I didn’t come into your grandfather’s life until you were in school. But I know what I know and what I’ve seen for the past twenty-five years. You can’t fake or lie for that long. Not about how you really feel.”

Van wanted to believe that but was having a hard time. “He didn’t even go to her funeral,” he snarled.

Kyle’s eyes saddened. “He didn’t know Lauren died. He was devastated. He hadn’t known she was sick either. It broke his heart that he couldn’t be there for her in the end. That he couldn’t try to find resources to even help her.”

“Bullshit,” he said. “My mother’s best friend told me at the funeral that my mother asked my father to contact my grandfather. Fiona was upset that Barry didn’t show up.”

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Kyle said. “But your grandfather found out over a year later when he had someone we use in the family look in on your mother. He did it often. Every few years. He was kicking himself for not doing it sooner.”

“What do you mean look in on her? Like spy on her?”

“We have our resources,” Kyle said. “Again, Barry had other ones he wasn’t happy with and then finally went to our internal guy. He was only trying to keep her and you in his life the only way he could. I think his heart started to fail when he found out about Lauren.”

Van wasn’t sure how to process any of this. “Is that how he died? His heart?”

“Yes,” Kyle said. “It was weak and he’d had some surgeries. He was cutting back. He passed away in his sleep. I guess that’s the best way to go.”

“Yeah,” he said, thinking of his mother. It was the same for her. He hoped she’d felt no pain at that point.

“Listen,” Kyle said. “This is all a lot for you to take in. If you’d like to know more about the business, I’ve got all day to go over things with you. Anything and everything. Not just today but as much and as long as you want to meet. I know you’re working though you don’t need to.”

“I’ve got to stay busy,” he said.

“Understood. Things can stay exactly how they are. I can run it and you’ll get the monthly stipend as your income. Nothing has been changed on the business end, and if you want changes or if I do, we have to go over that together. There is a lot to understand, but I’m here.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I don’t suppose you could send me things to look at. Reports, financial and otherwise. Summaries you might have of the hotels? Things like that.”

“I’ve got everything you might need,” Kyle said. “We’ve been preparing them for a good year knowing that the time would come when you might become involved. Or you could sell me your half. I’m not pushing either way, just giving you options.”

He could take the fast money and run.

He was sick of running.

“I’d like to stay for now. See what I can understand and go from there.”

“I’m glad,” Kyle said. “Your grandfather would be too. Is there anything else I can help you with today? I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

“Nothing other than I should tell you I’ve had two dates with your daughter,” he said.

Kyle's eyebrows lifted and he knew he finally caught the man unaware. But he wasn’t so sure how he felt about that either.

10

TWIST THINGS WELL

“Hey, Van,” Kelsey said when she opened her door after work on Friday. “I wasn’t expecting you. I just got home.”

“Sorry,” he said. He walked in and Frankie was running around his legs. He picked the pup up and gave him a little pet, then set him down. She found that move sweet. “I thought we should talk.”

“Oh boy,” she said. “I know that tone. You’re going to break up with me, aren’t you?”

She was laughing while she said it. In her eyes there was nothing to break up. She’d be super bummed, but two dates in wasn’t enough for her to freak out.

Maybe she came on too strong a few days ago when she’d told Van he was a keeper and that she was glad no one held on to him before.

Nothing like scaring a man on the second date.

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