Page 3 of Just Like Starting Over
“Because I didn’t agree. I’m busy, doing the job of runningthese greenhouses. The café on Queen Street isn’t my problem.”
“Then I’ll make it your problem.” Dad’s eyes gleam brilliant blue and I brace for his shot. “Because unless you do as I say, I’m going to change my will.”
I am not expecting that. “Excuse me?”
“Right now, you’re slated to inherit a third of Cavendish Enterprises, control divided equally between Jake, you and Austin.” Jake and Austin are my full brothers, one older and one younger. Neither have been anywhere near Empire in years, by choice. I’m starting to think they had it right. “Unless you do what I ask today, I’ll divide your share between Jake and Austin. When I go, you’ll be just an employee working for your brothers.” He is triumphant and even though I thought just moments ago I couldn’t be more frustrated with him, it’s clear that I was wrong.
“You’re going to do this over a restaurant?” He should take a warning from my stillness, but he doesn’t.
“I’m doing this over your disobedience.”
I’m tempted, you have to know, to give him the finger and turn away. But there are the tomatoes, and there are the accounts waiting on their produce, and there are all the employees and workers who will be without a defender if I’m gone. I have responsibilities and I learned young that they come first.
I learned that from my dad. Duty and honour. A man’s word is his bond. All that stuff.
What I need is to pacify him for now and find an alternative solution. He won’t really do as he threatens. He always blusters. He loves the shock value of saying something like that, but Cavendish Enterprises needs me and my expertise, and Dad knows it.
I take a couple of deep breaths, which don’t help as much as they should.
“Interesting strategy,” I say, which makes his eyes narrow. “Who do you think is going to run this place then? Jake understands financial matters, it’s true, but doesn’t know anything about tomatoes. Either way, he’ll never set foot in Empire again. Austin couldn’t care less. I can’t imagine he’d come back here even if you left the whole enterprise to him. He’d make a phone call and sell it off in five minutes, undoubtedly for less than it's worth just to see it off his hands.” I hold his gaze. “Maybe the two of them will sell the land to Augustine Rhodes, and he can tear down the greenhouses to plant grapes instead.”
That hits a mark. “They wouldn’t dare!”
“Are you sure? I’d say it was even money. You won’t be around to stop them.”
“Then you’ll have to stop them.”
“I won’t have any authority to stop them, if you make those changes. Even now, they could join forces and out-vote me.” I shrug. “Maybe I’m just an employee already.” I yawn and push a hand through my hair. “Either way, I need some sleep and I need it soon.”
“It’s not even noon. How can you be so lazy…”?
“I spent all night picking tomatoes, Dad. I haven’t slept in over thirty hours.” I gesture to the window, which offers a view of yet another tractor trailer emblazoned with the company logo pulling out of the loading dock. “All orders filled and dispatched this morning, right on schedule, despite so many crew out sick. Sleep is a luxury I didn’t have.”
His lips thin as he watches the truck leave. “You need to hire more reliable workers.”
“Infectious viruses take down anyone, regardless of their work ethic, ethnicity or language of choice. You need to think about my proposal to give Carlos a promotion.”
“Never!” he says through his teeth, just like last time I asked.
Our gazes lock for a charged moment. My dad was quite happy to jump into the foreign worker program, which brings us farm labour from other countries, but he hates that the workers actually come from abroad. I’m not sure what he expected. We have a great team of guys who come from Mexico, most returning each year to pick for six to nine months on short-term visas. I couldn’t run this place without them—and it’s past time that Carlos got a reward. I want to make him foreman, which is a full-time post, which means he could move here with his family. He’s at the top of my list, but not the only name on it, that’s for sure.
That proposal is a hard no for Dad.
I will die on this hill, if necessary.
Dad’s lips tighten as he watches the next truck pull out. “You have any part-timers?”
“Using them all.”
“What about the doctor?”
“She’s been in every day this week, sometimes twice. Evidently, it’s a virus that takes its sweet time.”
He exhales, looking grim. “At least find out their plans for that café.”
“No restaurant will survive in Empire, Dad. There just isn’t enough business.”
“I need to be sure. I need Luke tolose.” He raises a fist and it’s clear that old magic between him and his illegitimate offspring is still potent. “Do what you can, then get some sleep. You’re no good to me when you’re exhausted.” He pivots and marches out of the offices, probably ensuring that he makes his tee-off time.
