Page 24 of A Simple Mistake
“Hardly.Though I’m hoping Cecily and Ronald will stay out of Julian’s hair for a while.”
“Are they always like this?”
Gareth shrugged.“Pretty much.They live under the illusion they have power and enjoy throwing their weight around.Delaying projects, slowing acquisitions, making Julian’s life a misery—all while complaining about the size of the dividends, of course.”
“Has Julian tried to buy them out?”
“Roland’s too spiteful to sell.Donovan needs money, but his demands are unreasonable.We haven’t tried Cecily.Not sure if you remember, it happened when you started, but Cecily had an affair with Graham Halston, hoping to sway him to vote with the family.Julian gave him a second chance, but he was too embarrassed to take it.When he quit his job, Cecily dropped him like a rock.”
“Serves him right.”
“Yeah.Harper was a pleasant surprise.”Gareth replayed the expressions of sheer outrage on Cecily and Ronald’s faces when their newest shareholder had voted with Julian.“Asked good questions and put the company first.”
“And he almost suggested Julian get rid of the others.”
“Gods, yes.Did you see Aidan’s face?He’s been advocating that forever, but he’s always so careful not to push.”
Silence.Gareth turned his head, took in Jack’s expression.
“Jack?”
“What was that?A teaching moment?”
“Huh?”Gareth went back over his words.“Serendipity,” he said eventually.“Or simply something that’s on our minds.The boys can’t make their own choices if we stand in front of them taking the heat.Nico especially will struggle with that.”
“Yes,” Jack agreed.“I get that.”
“But knowing is one thing and acting like it is another.”
Gareth turned through the gate to their house and Jack blew out a deep breath.“I think I’d make a lousy gardener, too.”
They got out of the car and Gareth backed Jack up against his door and kissed him as if he meant it.“Don’t sell yourself short,” he growled.
Ripples
Itwasobvious,atdinnertime, that Nico had something on his mind.He did his best to appear unconcerned, talking about the story he was reading, but they could all see his heart wasn’t in it.
Jack didn’t prod or pry, but as often before, he disappeared into his den after dinner, making himself available if Nico wanted to talk.It had worked in the past, and it worked that night as Nico appeared in his doorway not twenty minutes later.
“Are you busy?”
“No more than usual.”Jack waved him inside.“What can I help you with?”
Nico pulled up a chair and settled himself beside Jack.“Can we build the escape route this weekend?”
“You finished the design?”
“I think so.Daniel spotted the bit I’d missed.”
“Which was?”
“I’d planned one rope ladder going down, which lets us escape when there’s a fire, but if there’s a break-in, they could be waiting for us at the bottom.So now we have three, one going straight down from our window, one going up on the roof, and the third going down from there on the other side of the house.”Nico waved at the door.“Daniel’s showing Gareth just to make sure I’ve covered everything.”
“Teamwork, I like it.”
“So can we start building it?”
“Of course.”
