Page 92 of Worth the Fall

“Oh, Clara. I’d love to be your mom someday, but it’s not really up to just me,” I tried to explain, but felt like this was a conversation I should not be having without Thomas present.

“I’ll ask my daddy then. It’s probably up to him, huh?”

And just like that, she was okay again. Any concerns she might have had seemed to disappear just as quickly as they’d appeared.

When I had her all buckled into the back seat, I fired off a text to Thomas, letting him know that I had her in my possession and that we were on our way back. I didn’t expect a response, so I put my phone into my purse and started the engine.

“Are we going to your and daddy’s work?” Clara asked from the back seat.

“Yep.”

“Is my Pops there?”

“He is. I think he’s still in a meeting with your dad and your uncles though.”

I glanced in the rearview mirror to see her shift a little in the seat. “Pops said I have to go straight to his office whenever I come over, so we have to do that first, okay?”

“Sure. But if they’re still working, we might not be able to interrupt,” I tried to explain, but knew that those men would all stop the world from spinning if this girl asked them to try.

“Okay. But I bet Pops will want to see me. I’m his favorite. He tells me all the time.” She giggled to herself as I pulled into the underground parking structure and searched for a spot close to the elevators.

“I bet you’re right,” I agreed as I shut off the car and hopped out.

We rode the elevator up, and the second the doors opened, Clara ran out, her little backpack bouncing up and down on her back with each step she took.

“Come on, Waffle Princess,” she yelled back at me as I speed-walked to try to keep up with her, but she was fast.

By the time I reached Mr. O’Grady’s office, it was too late. Clara had opened the door without asking and bounded inside, unannounced. His assistant shot me a look, and I mouthed an apology. The four men had deteriorated into chaos, each one fighting for her attention, all of them shouting questions at the same time. It was hilarious to watch.

“I’m sorry, you guys, but all she wanted to do was see you,” I offered with a shrug before I noticed Jasper sitting on the floor in the corner like a good boy.

“She’s the best distraction.” Mr. O’Grady beamed. “But, Clarabel, we were just wrapping up our meeting.”

“I know. Miss Brooklyn said you were having one, but I didn’t care,” she admitted honestly, and I laughed out loud.

“You didn’t care?” Matthew asked, pretending to be completely shocked.

“Nope,” she said without a single apology. “I wanted to see you. And Pops told me to always come straight to his office. I did what I was told.”

They all started shouting and laughing and talking over one another, so much so that I couldn’t make out a single thing anyone was saying until Mr. O’Grady threw a hand in the air and demanded everyone to stop.

“I’m actually glad you’re here, Brooklyn. Can I ask your opinion on the matter we’re discussing? Professionally speaking,” Mr. O’Grady said as he focused his blue eyes on me.

“Of course,” I answered, hoping that I didn’t sound as remotely shocked as I felt.

“What’s your take on the chalets versus a single new structure?” He folded his hands and waited for my response.

Glancing around the room, I saw that every single pair of eyes was focused on me as they waited. None of the brothers looked bothered by the fact that I was being asked, and Thomas looked completely comfortable as he held Clara on his lap and gave me a lopsided smile.

I cleared my throat as I formulated my thoughts. “I think the chalets make the most sense long-term. Another building might hold more rooms in total, but they’ll lack the charm that the chalets could give. In my perspective, people tend to be moving away from the standard hotel experience and are looking for more of that home-like feeling while they’re on vacation or attending events that last longer than a day or two. The chalets will give them a different kind of comfort than we already provide. Having that option will be nothing but an increase in revenue for us and our bottom line.”

Mr. O’Grady smiled as soon as I finished. “Looks like we’re all in agreement then. Thank you, Brooklyn. You’re a real asset to the resort.”

“And the family,” Matthew added quickly as he stood up from his chair and pulled me in for a hug, catching me off guard as Jasper barked.

“Get off my woman,” Thomas growled, and Matthew released me.

“You’re an asset in every way, baby.” Thomas planted a kiss on my lips in front of his whole family. At work. I felt my cheeks turn red.

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