Page 24 of Colton's Last Resort

Did Laura imagine his condescension, or was it real? Her father wasn’t just the face of Colton Textiles. He was a chameleon who could easily mask his true feeling and intentions when it suited him.

When there was something he needed to hide.

Adam rose and the rest of them followed suit, Clive coming to his feet at last. “We should have a decision for you soon.”

“Tomorrow,” Clive requested as they hovered around the door. “By the end of business hours. If I’m to make gains, too, I’ll need that money as soon as possible.”

Adam gave a nod. “Fine.”

“How ’bout you and Laura join me for lunch?” Clive asked, putting his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Just the three of us. I hear your restaurant’s five stars. What’s it called again?”

“Annabeth,” Joshua retorted.

Clive smiled, nonplussed. “Of course it is.”

“I’m due in Flagstaff at lunchtime,” Adam explained.

“Laura?” Clive looked to her, expectant.

No plans came to her mind. “All right.”

“Splendid,” he replied. Reaching out, he gave her chin a light pinch. “Are you still seeing Quentin Randolph?”

The name struck her off guard. “No. How...how did you know about Quentin?”

“I knew him before you did,” he said. “I told him about Mariposa. And about you.”

She stared, unable to believe a connection between her father and the man who had grossly betrayed her was possible. “He never mentioned you.”

“A shame it didn’t work out,” he said. “You were quite the power couple. What happened this time?”

He’d turned out to be just like Clive—a chameleon. She ignored the question and moved to the door to open it.

Joshua beat her to it. “I need some air,” he muttered to her.

“Same,” she whispered.

“There’s something sketchy going on,” Joshua said. He pointed to Laura. “You know it. And I know it.”

Adam crossed his arms. “Why do you think I had Greg sit in on the meeting? I knew there was something off when Dad called initially.”

Next to him, Greg planted a hand against the wall in a relaxed stance. “I can look into him. See what’s really going on with Colton Textiles.”

“If he needs that kind of money, it’s bleeding,” Joshua said. “It’s bleeding badly. And if he needed money, why didn’t he go to Glenna? She’s got plenty. Why did he come all this way?”

Laura chewed over it. “He was right about one thing. We all have a stake in Colton Textiles. It was Mom’s company, too. It’s as much a part of her legacy as Mariposa. If it is bleeding, could we really just watch it die?” Wouldn’t that be like watching a part of Annabeth die all over again?

Adam turned to Greg. “Can you look into it by tomorrow afternoon?”

“I’ll make the necessary calls,” Greg said. He pulled a face. “I may miss my tee time with the man of the hour...”

Joshua cracked a smile for the first time since Clive’s arrival. “Aw, shucks.”

“Let us know what you find out,” Laura said. She hugged him. “And thanks for sitting in. If you don’t go soon, you’ll miss lunch with Tallulah.”

Greg grinned. “You know me too well.”

“She’s taking her lunches with the kitchen staff now,” Joshua pointed out, “since her nephew, Mato, got hired on as sous-chef.”

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