Page 76 of The Summer House
“Thank you for coming,” he said, feeling in his words. “This is Callie.” Luke took her hand and guided her up. “You haven’t met; let me introduce you.”
Edward smiled warmly at her and then his attention settled back on Luke, the seriousness returning.
“I’ve never introduced you to any of the girls I’ve dated before,” Luke pointed out. “And that was because they didn’t mean anything to me.”
Callie wondered where he was going with this when he and Edward certainly had other things to discuss.
Luke continued, “I didn’t realize that the other girls didn’t mean anything until I met Callie. She showed me who I was, and I learned about the things that I care about. I care about her and I care about my art.” He took a step, planting his feet right in front of Edward. “And I care about what you think of me. I always have. I’ve spent my whole life trying to make you proud of me. I can’t change who I am, but I can promise you that I care, because I love you—even when you and I disagree on how to be aggressive in business or what to spend our time doing. If you want to give the company to Aiden, then do it. I won’t run it like you did. I’m not you. But I can give you my word that if you pass it on to me, it will continue to thrive.” Callie saw the sincerity in his eyes that she loved so much. “You and I will never be alike, but you taught me how to be honest and focused and strong. And I will forever be thankful for that.”
Edward’s eyebrows rose and he looked down at his beer in contemplation. He was so intimidating that Callie found her own hands shaking. She clasped them behind her back and took in a steadying breath as she noticed how calm and cool Luke was. But that was just the way he was wired.
“What are you going to do, Luke, when this news about our family gets out? It could ruin our reputation.” His voice wasn’t harsh; it was concerned.
“Or make us more relatable.”
“You’ve got your head in the clouds,” he said, taking a drink from his bottle. Luke touched his arm, stopping him.
“Let them talk, Dad. They’re doing it already. Aiden and I have an idea for the business. He’s great with real estate—we’ve both always known it. But together, he and I can build up the other pieces of the business. If the press sees us working as a team, what can they say about the rest of it? It’s water under the bridge at this point.”
Edward took another drink without saying anything. Then he finally said, “They’re not always kind, Luke. Shall we invite bad press?”
“Nope. We spin it to sell our products. If people feel like they know us, they will want what we’ve got to sell.”
Callie couldn’t believe her ears. Luke was actually confirming exactly what she’d banked on when buying The Beachcomber. And she knew he was right.
Edward walked over to the edge of the porch and put his hands on the railing, looking out, his back to everyone. The band played below.
Then, as if something clicked, he turned around. “I apologize, Callie,” he said, offering a smile. “Where are my manners? I’ve completely ignored you and I’m so sorry about that. Forgive me.”
She shook her head, smiling nervously.
“Please sit,” Edward said to them both, glancing down the porch and then pulling a chair over to Luke.
“Callie and Olivia, The Beachcomber is just gorgeous. I wish you two so much success,” he said as he sat down. His words were very kind, but they all were on the edge of their seats to hear if Luke had been able to change Edward’s mind at all.
“Thank you,” Callie said.
Olivia smiled uncomfortably and nodded.
Edward took in a deep breath and smiled. He looked out over the ocean again from his chair and then turned to Lillian. “I’m sorry,” he said finally, shaking his head. “I’m sorry that I pushed you away for the sake of the business. I was young and overly eager, and I didn’t realize what I was doing.”
Luke and Juliette looked at each other in surprise, probably in disbelief that Edward would admit this in front of everyone.
Edward continued, “We didn’t handle things in the right way—either of us. But I’m truly sorry for all those nights I left you alone.”
“It’s done now,” Lillian said, kindness on her face. “But I’ve never worried about myself. My concern has always been Luke.”
“I’ve been wrestling with all this,” he said as he looked into the faces of everyone there, and Callie could see that expressing himself in this way was very difficult for him. “I’ve been thinking a lot about you, Luke. I’m sure all of this has been a terrible shock to you too.”
“I can deal with it,” Luke said. “I just don’t think it should affect the company.”
“You’re right.” He pursed his lips, thoughts on his face. “How would you change it?” Callie watched closely, her protective nature kicking in for Luke, but Edward was clearly ready to listen. He’d leaned toward Luke, his head slightly tilted, his demeanor unguarded.
Lillian threw an excited but still slightly uneasy look over to Juliette, who had scooted on the edge of her rocker. No one moved a muscle as they waited.
“I’d like to have Aiden on board,” Luke said, his words careful. It was clear that he knew how big this was for Edward. “I want to expand Blue Water Sailing, incorporating more retail—not just my own designs; possibly more. But we could start there. I’ve started painting surfboards.”
“He’s talented, Edward,” Aiden said, speaking up. “I have the business sense, certainly, but Luke has the vision. He sees things that I don’t. We’d make a great team.”
