Page 23 of Colton's Last Resort

“Yes,” Adam replied.

Laura’s tension refused to drain. Adam had been right to invite Greg. There was something Clive wasn’t saying.

They waited him out. He swiveled back to the table. “I’ve come to ask for your help.”

“Our help?” Joshua asked.

Adam rolled over his brother’s incredulity. “Are you in trouble?”

“No, no,” Clive said, waving a dismissive hand. “Nothing that drastic. The company’s just seen better days, is all.”

“What could we do?” Laura asked.

“I understand the resort’s made some significant gains,” Clive said. “I also understand that you’ve got plenty of capital at your disposal.”

“How do you know that?” Joshua asked.

Clive chuckled. “If there’s one thing I understand, son, it’s business.”

“A business you stole from Mom’s inheritance?” Joshua parried.

Clive stared at him. “Colton Textiles is in my name, son. Not your mother’s. And I’m not sure I care for your tone.”

“This is me playing nice,” Joshua informed him. “And you may come from money, but you never made your own. You play with everybody else’s. You married Mom for hers. If not for her, you wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.”

“Josh,” Adam cautioned. “Maybe you should take a walk.”

Joshua looked at his brother. “I have a right to be here, and somebody has to speak for her.”

A headache was brewing behind Laura’s left temple. She wished for coffee. “It’s okay,” she said to Adam. “Let him speak for her.”

Adam relaxed gradually. He addressed Clive again. “What did you have in mind?”

“A loan,” Clive revealed.

“How much?”

“Two fifty to start.”

Joshua scoffed. “Two hundred and fifty thousand?”

“If that doesn’t get the company back on its feet, then another,” Clive added. “This is your inheritance, too, don’t forget. My legacy to the three of you. You each have a stake in Colton Textiles. Adam, you especially.”

Laura thought about it. Colton Textiles was a fine-fabrics importer. When Annabeth had died, she had left shares to each of her children. Adam had eighteen, and Laura and Joshua each had sixteen. Clive had wound up with the lion’s share.

“Don’t do this, Adam,” Joshua implored. His eyes burned.

Adam considered. “That’s a lot of money.”

“You’ll make it up in no time,” Clive said smoothly. “And it’s a loan. You’ll have a return on your investment in due time. With interest.”

Laura shook her head. “You can’t expect us to decide on the spot. We’ll need to discuss it and come to an agreement. Together.”

“The three of you?” Clive questioned.

“That’s how things are done around here,” Adam informed him.

Clive eased back in his chair. “Good for you, kids. Good for you.”

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