Restless Billionaire

by Cheryl Phipps

  Chapter Ten

  The board were looking at him. They wanted an answer and he hadn’t heard a damn word of the conversation. He’d been back in Heaven with a woman whose long legs and sweet smile beckoned him. He closed his eyes against the vision, and when he opened them again his mother gave him a nod of encouragement.

  He had nothing.

  “Evan, why are you pushing so hard to make a move on such a small company out on the east coast?”

  He smiled his thanks at his older sister. “As I said, Sarah, this is a great opportunity for us. We might not have a lot in that area, but it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to our logistics company in New York.”

  “And, as I’ve said,” his older brother Ben added in a voice heavy with sarcasm, “won’t the distance make it untenable cost-wise?”

  “Pearson’s has a lot to offer to our sustainability mandate. The only reason they’re struggling is a stale sales program and a couple of personnel issues.”

  “But we already own a packaging company.”

  “That’s the beauty of it, Caris, diversification. It’s a good thing, don’t you think?”

  Caris blushed. The baby of the family, she was the only one who wasn’t working for Knight Industries in any capacity other than being on the board, and the one who understood him the most. But she didn’t like to stick her head above ground when it came to family disputes.

  A child prodigy, she was already on her way to being a qualified doctor. She was blessed in so many ways and a truly nice person. He could appreciate that she had to protect her career and not be dragged into working more hours.

  He loved his family to bits, but he and Caris weren’t in love with the company, not like the others.

  Matthew watched him with interest across the table, his face a mirror-image of Evan’s own, but their desires so different.

  “Who would we get to run the takeover?” Matt gently pressed, sensing if not seeing Evan’s need for help.

  “I’d like to volunteer.”

  “No,” Eloise Knight said. She was more than their mother. She ruled her family as she did the business and right now she was giving him ‘the look’. It stalled any argument. Usually.

  “If you’ll hear me out, I think you’ll appreciate the reason behind my thinking.”

  “I don’t believe we need to hear any more about you moving away.” Ben began to collect his papers.

  Evan glared at him. “It’s not your decision to make.”

  Their mother put up a hand to stall the brewing argument. “If the board has no objection, I’ll hold over the decision until the meeting next week. Since you seem so passionate about it, I’m willing to invest more time in getting all impartial information regarding the company.”

  Everyone murmured their assent. As CEO, her vote would always be the deciding one. Did Evan have enough support to sway the vote his way? He gave them all a frank look.

  Caris smiled sweetly. Sarah shrugged. Ben had a superior look which was a near match for his mother’s, one they could all affect when needed.

  Okay, so Ben would be a no. Matthew? Tall and dark, the three brothers were so alike to look at, and yet they didn’t have one thing in common except the company.

  His twin looked worried. They were so close that it was nearly impossible to keep things from each other. The whole family knew Evan wasn’t happy but it was as though Matthew could feel his pain.

  Evan tried a smile, but Matt wasn’t buying it. He shook his head and nodded to the other side of the window. They had a lot of shorthand and this particular one meant they should meet up outside on the far lawn and talk this over. Evan needed to tell someone his plans, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, especially Matt.

  “If that’s the last of the business I think we can close the meeting,” said Sarah.

  Sarah was tall like the rest of the family, but blonde like Caris and their mother. She was headed straight to the top of the company, if Ben didn’t take over, when their mom retired—something she mentioned more frequently these days.

  Not that Eloise was old. She’d started her brood at the age of nineteen, after their father Benjamin had swept her off her feet a year earlier, and now she deserved to be able to slow down a little. On top of looking after her children, the business had consumed her since their father had died a decade ago.

  She stood, and the rest of them followed suit. “Evan, would you give me a few minutes in my office?” she said.

  Knowing it was more than a request, he followed her with a feeling of dread. She wouldn’t rest until she had answers, but would she like the ones he had to offer?

  As usual, she sensed he was on edge and smiled encouragingly. “Close the door, dear, and take a seat.”

  He sat opposite her across the massive oak desk. They hardly ever came into this room. It had been their father’s, and made a statement that whatever was about to be discussed would be extremely serious.

  “What’s up, Mom?” He tried for nonchalance, but she wasn’t buying it.

  “You tell me. Since you got back from the trip to the coast, you’ve not been yourself. Is there something I should know?”

  “I’ve told you what I think about Pearson’s.”

  She clicked her tongue impatiently. “I don’t mean this business you’re so keen on us owning. I mean with you. You’re not happy. You’re never home, and when you are no one can get anything out of you apart from monosyllables.”

  He felt like a deer in headlights. He wasn’t getting out of this room without spilling his guts. He’d been conditioned to sit through long, sometimes boring meetings. To listen and only talk when he had something to say. To sit still and not fidget. To be professional and not let feelings mar business decisions.

  He sighed. His mother was right. This had nothing to do with business. Standing, he crossed to the window. Matt was in the distance. Waiting.

  “I don’t want to be in the business. I want to do something else.”

  His mom sighed. “You think I don’t know that?”

  He swung around to face her. “You know?”

  “Evan, you’re my child. How could I not? You want to leave San Francisco, but you don’t want to let us down. It’s time to be honest and not hide behind a business we don’t need.”

  He flushed, a little angry, and yet relieved it was out in the open.

  “You’re partly right. I do want to leave, but I also believe in Pearson’s. The owner is great. He simply needs guidance. We don’t have to keep it, we can help get him on the right track and make money out of it. It’s what we do. I know we shouldn’t make it personal, but I really want to help Mr. Pearson.”

  “Evan, I’m confused. If Pearson’s is not the reason for you to move away then you’re holding something back.”

  It was the right time. He could feel it. He lifted his shoulders and his chin.

  “Mom. I’ve found another business in the same town, quite by accident. It’s a rundown marina. There is so much potential. I’ve got photos.”

  His mother shook her head. “We don’t own businesses like this.”

  “I admit it wouldn’t be in line with Knight Industries’ core business, but I think we should try it, just this once. I want to take it on. It excites me and I think I can make a go of it.”

  His mother steepled her fingers and narrowed her eyes, while the silence grew heavy.

  “If that’s truly the way you feel, then you buy it.”

  “What? Me? On my own?”

  “Yes. You have the money. If it’s such a good thing, and you believe you can turn it around, then do it.”

  “But the money’s in my trust fund until I’m thirty.”

  “Since I am the executor of your trust, I’ll allow you to take out enough to cover the purchase or shares. You’ll have to make it work from there. So you’d better be sure about it.”

  He crossed back to his chair and dropped into it. He was shocked beyond belief. His mother had
only ever encouraged their allegiance and abilities within Knight Industries. Was he really being allowed to do something he wanted?

  He frowned. “If I do, I’ll have to move out there, maybe permanently.”

  “I understand.”

  “Why, Mom? Why now?”

  She laughed and the tension dissipated. “You may have thought you wanted to leave before now, but you had nothing to put in its place. I promised your father that you children would learn to stand on your own feet, after you learned how to be part of a team. I’ve taught you all I can. You’re an astute businessman. You say you can make this marina work, so I believe you. The passion is in your eyes, Evan, and that makes me happy.”

  Her eyes glistened, and he rushed to kneel beside her chair. “I would come home every chance I could.”

  “I’m counting on it. I understand how lucky I am to have had all my children so close for so long. Working and living together could have ripped us apart, but it hasn’t yet. Follow your dream, but always remember where you came from.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Always.”

  As soon as he left his mother, he made his way to the back lawn where Matt had patiently waited.

  They walked through the gardens and down to the stables where their horses nudged at them through the stalls. Collecting apples from a bucket, they fed them, and by the time Evan had told him the story about both companies, they were back in the garden.

  “Is she so amazing?”

  “What are you talking about, Matt?”

  “When you talk about this marina, I hear your love of sailing, of a business that will make you happy, but I also hear about a woman who is too good to be true. She’s the real reason you’re going, isn’t she?”

  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  There was no point in arguing. Matt knew him like no other person could, and Evan couldn’t wait for him and Macy to meet.

  “Matt, she is amazing. She loves to be on the water. She loves boats. She’s gorgeous, funny, and caring. I think I love her.”

  Matt’s eyes bugged out. “You spent a few days with her at most.”

  “I know.”

  “Promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”

  Evan laughed. “You’re the reckless one, remember?”

  Matt punched his arm. “That’s so you remember this conversation. I think I’d better come out to the coast and check up on you and meet this wonder woman. When do you go?”

  “As soon as we decide about Pearson’s. Regardless of that outcome, I will still go. I have to. Please, come whenever you can. I’ll miss you.”

  Matt punched him again, and Evan knew it was to lessen the emotion. It was going to be hard for both of them to be separated.

  Even knowing this, his thoughts were already drifting to Macy and how she would look on his own sailboat. He’d spoken to her a couple of times since he’d left but hadn’t made any promises about when he’d be returning to Heaven Bay. He’d had no idea how things were going to end up today. Now that he knew, he couldn’t wait to be with her.

  There was an awful lot to do. A lot to work out, if he had any hope of staying with Macy.

  Chapter Eleven

  The flight back to Heaven Bay a month later seemed to take forever, every minute an hour, but eventually he arrived at the small airport. A car was ready for him and he drove straight to the marina with two agreements tucked into his laptop bag.

  Charlie was sitting outside the kiosk, his face turned to the sun. His old cap, with the words ‘Heaven Bay’ embroidered on the peak, was faded.

  “Evan! How are you, son?”

  “I’m great, sir. Is Macy around?”

  “She took a tour group out to the reef for some snorkeling. She’ll be gone a few hours yet. Time enough for me to clean this fishing equipment and sort the tackle for the next trip.”

  He seemed more alert today, and Evan, having wanted to talk with Macy and Charlie together, now couldn’t wait to raise his suggestion. He sat beside him on the worn bench seat.

  “Charlie, could we talk business?”

  “What business?”

  “This one. The marina. We spoke about times being tough lately. I want to offer you a solution. You don’t have to commit to anything today, but I have a few ideas.”

  “You’ve lost me. What is it exactly that you want from me?”

  He was looking suspicious and Evan couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t doing this right. Uncharacteristically, because this felt so personal to him, and he wanted it so badly, he’d strayed from the format he usually employed for this sort of thing.

  “Sorry, Charlie. Here it is in a nutshell. I’d like to become a partner in the marina. I would pay you half the market value and we would own half each. I’ll also carry the costs of giving the place a bit of a tidy up and fixing all the equipment.”

  Charlie dropped his tools. “The marina is not for sale.”

  “I know you hadn’t intended for it to be, but there’s Macy to consider. She’s stressed out about the bills and she’s overworked. If I move here I can help out and she can have some time off.”

  The old man’s weathered face hardened. “Did Macy put you up to this?”

  “No. She has no idea I’m here or that I want to help out.”

  “Are you helping us or yourself?”

  Evan had to admire Charlie. When it counted, he was completely switched on. “Good question. The honest answer is both.”

  “This marina is a family company.”

  “I’m from a big family, with a family business. I understand how you feel, and I wouldn’t change anything or do anything which would adversely affect you or Macy.”

  Charlie looked away. “Too late.”

  Evan’s heart sank. “All I ask is that you give it some thought. If you and Macy aren’t interested then I’ll go home to San Francisco. No hard feelings.”

  “Best you leave me to ponder what you’ve said. I’ll talk to Macy when she gets back.”

  Evan had no idea how the conversation would go. He’d played his best hand, but would it be good enough for a man in denial?

  As he drove nervously to Pearson’s he tried to be satisfied that at least he’d achieve something positive while he was here. After all, things didn’t work out in business every time. But this was more than business to him.

  Sean came sauntering up to the car as soon as he pulled into the parking lot.

  “I heard you were coming back. Are you taking the company over?”

  “You’ll be the first to know, Sean. Can you tell me where Mr. Pearson is?”

  “He’s in his office waiting for you.”

  “Perfect. See you later.”

  “You bet. The way he looks today, I hope the old coot doesn’t have a heart attack.”

  The smile on his face belied that statement and Evan’s skin prickled as he walked to reception. He couldn’t stand Sean, and he had to wonder if the owner was attached to the salesman.

  The receptionist gave him a blinding smile, a little false, but he was used to it. Most people viewed him as a threat to their employment continuity.

  She showed him the way to Mr. Pearson’s office. The small man jumped up from behind his desk and almost ran towards Evan, grasping his hand and pumping it like an old-fashioned slot machine.

  “Good to see you, Evan. I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about us.”

  “Not at all. Knight Industries is committed to the merger, but you must appreciate that we had to do our due diligence first.”

  “Make sure we had no hidden liabilities?” Mr. Pearson’s smile was tight.

  “Exactly.”

  “And we passed?”

  “With flying colors.”

  “Excellent. Well, come sit and tell me what the terms are.”

  Evan joined him at his desk, and pulling out several sheets of paper from his bag, he handed them across to Mr. Pearson. There was no point in sugar-coating this.

  “As you can see,
we’re offering a sixty/forty split. In Knight Industries’ favor.”

  The man blanched a little but carried on reading. Evan needed no copy to follow since he had designed the terms himself. Ben and their accountant had given the final check and approval.

  While Mr. Pearson continued to read, Evan gave some thought to that meeting, when Ben had looked across at him and allowed a smile.

  “So, little brother, you’re the first of us to spread his wings. I must admit, I envy you a little. I wish you all the best and hope you find what you’re looking for. It’ll be hard to find someone to fill your shoes.”

  Evan had been shocked. “What have you done with my brother? Benjamin Knight doesn’t envy anyone.”

  This time Ben grinned. “We all see what’s on the surface of each other. The trick is to look past it long enough to get to the truth. We are more alike than either of us care to admit. You’ve done well for the business, and you’re a good man. Now, before you get all emotional, get out of here and make a good life.”

  Evan had indeed been deeply affected by Ben’s praise and his acknowledgement of Evan’s contribution. His heart had been heavy when he’d left home this morning and it hadn’t been totally attributable to the tears from Caris, the warm hugs from Sarah, or the slight quiver to his mother’s chin. Leaving Matt behind might be the hardest of all, but it was Ben who had affected him most.

  Evan might not like Ben’s superior attitude, or his often ruthless way of doing business, but he had to admire his belief in every decision he made, and his ability to admit when he was wrong. Maybe he hadn’t actually said that, but when Evan needed Ben to have his back, he had. It was all he’d ever wanted.

  Maybe a lot of his upbringing had just been one big test. Maybe he’d needed to find himself to be set free.

  Now it was up to Evan to prove this was not a huge mistake. He sincerely hoped both proposals were accepted. If not, then he would settle for working out of Pearson’s and making it the best deal they’d ever made, no matter that it was a small company. It wasn’t his first choice, but he would at least be in a place which felt right, and with Macy close by, he was sure he could live with that, even if it meant still being tied to the company.