Page 69 of The Billionaire's Heart

Ian

Icannot wait until I get home to Mia. She’s been all I can think about and this trip to Seattle came at such a terrible time. At least, that’s what I originally thought. After talking to Randall and going over his plans for getting the division back on track, I have a lot more faith in him. We’ll try it out and see how he does running the division on his own. He promised to reach out to me and my VPs if he has any trouble or needs any advice. I plan to come back out in a month to see how everything is progressing, but Randall seems to have respect from the vendors, the staff, and the city leaders.

My phone buzzes with a text that I hope is from Mia, but it’s not.

Mr. Sutherland:Hey—sorry to do this to you at the last minute, but I want to sign the papers this weekend. Can we make that happen?

Me:Is something wrong? Did something happen?

Mr. Sutherland:Actually, yes. Misty has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prognosis is really good, excellent actually, but I want the stress of this merger off my plate so I canbe with her throughout her treatment. She starts on Monday, so the sooner we can sign the papers, the better.

Me:I’m so sorry to hear this. I hope everything works out.

Mr. Sutherland:Thank you. We’ve told the family, but I’d appreciate it if you kept this quiet for now. Don’t want the press getting a hold of this until we’re ready.

Me:Of course.

Me:Are you sure you want to do this now? We can always postpone until this is all over with and she’s feeling better. I don’t want you to feel rushed into a decision. I’m not going anywhere.

Mr. Sutherland:No, no, Ian. You’re the right guy to take over Sutherland Park Manufacturing. I know you’ll take good care of my company, the customers, and especially the employees. I have complete faith in you, Ian. I want to do this sooner rather than later. Can you come to New York this weekend? Maybe bring your girl with you?

Me:I have a prior engagement tomorrow, but I can be up there on Sunday. I’ll have to check with Mia to see if she can make it. She’s opening a bridal shop here in Hibiscus Harbor.

Mr. Sutherland:Another business tycoon in the family. I love it. Well, if she can come, bring her. I know Misty would love to see Mia again. Either way, we plan to be at your engagement party next Friday night. Depending on how Misty’s feeling, of course.

Me:Of course. Okay, then I’ll see you on Sunday. Meet at your office around one?

Mr. Sutherland:You mean your new office? Ha Ha One o’clock sounds perfect. See you then, Ian, and thank you.

Me:Thank you for trusting me, Mr. Sutherland.

“Sir. This came for you” the steward hands me a file as I end the call.

“Thank you” I take it from him and open it up, knowing that it’s the information I requested from my security team about any threats against Mia.

As I flip through the pages, nothing really pops out at me except one message that was sent to my office at Hibiscus Island Country Club. Mrs. Wilcox took the message down from someone named Lynn Yates that claims to be Mia’s real mother and just wants to get in touch with her.

I highly doubt that, but Mrs. Wilcox left a note that says that this may be legit; that she sounded genuine. If I’ve learned anything in this life, it’s following Mrs. Wilcox’s gut. She even included a preliminary background check on Lynn Yates.

Mr. Gallo,

Please see the below information on the caller that claims to be Mia McIntosh’s real mother.

Lynn Yates, 51 years old, lives about an hour north of Hibiscus Harbor with her husband of twenty years. She has two grown sons, both in the military, and she works as a clerk for the county where she lives. She went to community college later in life and graduated with her Associates of Arts degree. Lynn’s husband is retired from the military and volunteers at the local food bank a few times a week. They own their own home and have very little credit card debt.

Let me know if you’d like me to order a deeper background check on her or if I should just disregard the message.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Wilcox

I look over the message carefully; I’m just not sure if this person is for real. But if I didn’t follow my gut all these years, which sometimes means Mrs. Wilcox’s gut, then I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I email Mrs. Wilcox and ask her to order an extensive background check on Lynn Yates. Time will tell whether she’s Mia’s actual mother or not.

Then the question will be if Mia even wants to know.

As I walk in the door, a sight for sore eyes — a vision — is standing there to greet me.

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