Page 41 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
“Not too bad, but not as quiet as it used to be.” He smiled.
As the silence lingered, Josiah relaxed and let his gaze roam over the scene in front of him: horses in the pasture, his breath coming out in little white puffs, and nothing and no one for miles. It was peaceful and maddening all at once for someone used to living in the city.
“Son, I’m not sure when you decided your mom and I weren’t proud of you, but, bud, I am.”
“I know.”
His dad looked at him and laughed. “Son, never step foot in Vegas.”
Josiah waved him off. “Whatever.”
“Listen, bud,” he said and sat forward, tapping Josiah on the leg. “Your momma and I are proud of you.”
“Really? Because I’m not a rodeo star or a great house flipper or a ranch owner or Teacher of the Year. None of that. I’m just a real estate agent, and that’s it.”
“That’s it, huh?”
Shrugging, Josiah nodded. “Yeah, that’s it.”
His dad shook his head. “You hired Molly because someone was cruel to her. You invited her home when you found out she didn’t have anywhere to go. You paid those layaways off and gave the hospital in Dallas a huge donation.”
Josiah’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
“Because I’m your daddy, and I know you.” He patted Josiah’s back. “You’ve got your success where it matters, bud. I’m not discounting that Realtor of the Year award, but I can’t see it making you happy.”
Was there anything his parents didn’t know? “I haven’t even said anything about that award.”
“No, but you wouldn’t be working so hard if there wasn’t something at the end waiting for you. My question is, is that the something you want?”
More and more, that had been the thing plaguing his mind. Until a few weeks ago, he would have wholeheartedly said yes. It had been important to him, but now it felt so empty. What would he have after that? A nice award but no one at home.
“I can tell by the look on your face that it’s not,” his dad said.
“I thought it was what I wanted. I just…I needed to feel successful. Compared to—”
His dad lifted his hand and cut him off. “Stop comparing yourself. Wyatt thought he was happy with the rodeo. He wasn’t. Hunter thought he was happy with his flipping business. He wasn’t. It was great that Carrie Anne won her award, but she loves her job and being around kids. It wasn’t things that made them happy; it was love.”
Josiah hadn’t thought about it like that, but it was true. Both his brothers had success, and it hadn’t fulfilled them. Finding love had. All this time, Josiah had been looking at things totally wrong. Did he really care about Realtor of the Year? No. It was a lot of work and long, lonely nights.
He loved pizza, movies, and hanging out. Not that he wanted to quit his job, but it wasn’t the piece he was missing. It wasn’t even close. “I’m in love with Molly. I love Ellie. All I want is them.”
His dad pointed his finger at him. “That’s my boy.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome.” He sat back and took a long drag of his drink. “Remember, though, you hurt my grandbaby, and I’ll take a stick to you.”
Laughing, Josiah stood and walked to the door. “I think I’ve stayed too far from home. Maybe I need to see what the real estate market looks like in Caprock Canyon. If Molly wants to stay in Dallas, that’s where I’ll be, but if she’s willing…”
“Don’t hurt to ask.”
“Thanks again, Dad,” he said as he opened the door and stepped inside.
As he shrugged out of his coat, he realized he was more at peace than he’d been in a long while. The award was great, and he was sure he’d still get the nomination. If he won, great. If not, that was fine too. He wasn’t giving his life to it any longer.
He’d watch his little girl walk across the stage to receive her diploma. Walk her down the aisle. Be a grandpa to her child. That’s what he’d count as success. Loving her, teaching her to love, and being there for her.
The same would go for her mom. Molly needed someone to walk toward her for once. He could be that guy if she gave him the chance. If his phone rang again for work, they could leave a message.
