Then his partner dropped the bomb. Bruce wanted to quit the business. He gave Paul first option to buy out his share. Paul felt as if he had come to an important point in his career. Buying Bruce out would give him the opportunity to expand the business in a way Bruce never wanted. He knew Henderson Contractors had the experience and reputation that would give them the edge in larger projects. It would mean bigger challenges and bigger returns.
Paul swirled the coffee in the bottom of his cup, frowning. It would also mean more work, hiring a couple of people to do the work Bruce did, more headaches and more stress.
He finished his coffee in one gulp and set the empty cup on a side table. Somehow none of these challenges held the allure it once would have. Lately he felt as if he ran harder and got nowhere. Always just out of his grasp was the happiness he kept thinking he would find with the right combination of changes in his life.
So when the invitation came for Amy’s engagement, he took a chance, scheduled three weeks of holidays so he could think. Maybe in the open fields of his family’s ranch he could find a way to fill the emptiness that grew with each increase in his net worth.
“So, how’s the family entrepreneur?”
Paul jumped as his uncle Gordon slung a friendly arm over his nephew’s shoulder, squeezing him. “You make that million you were always talking about?”
Paul grinned down at a smiling, bearded face, spectacles hanging as crookedly on his uncle’s nose as the oversize sweater did over his narrow shoulders. “It depends if you want to talk to my banker or the tax accountant.”
“Tax problems mean you’re making money, my boy.”
“I’ve never been able to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s without a lot of pain.”
“From the looks of that fancy car parked outside and that equally fancy girlfriend, I’d say you and Caesar are doing pretty good.” Uncle Gordon dropped his arm and pushed uselessly at his glasses. “You two going to get married?”
“Me and Caesar?”
“Oh, you’re still pretty fast. I mean you and that girlfriend.”
Paul stifled another groan. It seemed everyone in his family, from the youngest cousin to his aged grandparents, felt it their right to pry and find out the level of his and Stacy’s relationship. Trouble was, he thought, looking down at his favorite uncle, he didn’t even know that himself.
“Maybe,” was his noncommittal reply. If he said more, Stacy would find out before he had a chance to talk to her.
“Well I guess we’ll find out when you send out wedding invitations. I hope we’re going to be invited?”
“What do you mean?”
“We don’t see too much of you these days. I’m just making sure you think of us when the time comes.”
Uncle Gordon’s tone was jovial, but the words hit the guilty spot that his relatives always struck with unerring accuracy. Family could do the guilt thing so well, Paul thought, working up an answering grin for his uncle.
“I’ve been busy, yes…”
“Idle hands aren’t good, either, but just don’t forget about us while you’re wheeling and dealing.” His uncle clapped him on the back. “You met Amy’s guy yet?”
Paul shook his head. Throughout the evening, people pointed out Tim with a nudge and a smile, as if Paul should feel slighted. They hadn’t officially met, however. “I’ve heard a lot about him,” he said instead.
“Tim’s just the man for Amy. If anyone can help her turn that ranch around, he can.” Uncle Gordon squinted up at Paul and, though his expression was kind, Paul could sense the slight note of censure in his voice. “He’s given her some good ideas and helped her out some.”
“Amy is a wonderful girl, Uncle Gordon,” Paul conceded, not needing anyone else pointing out her good points. “I’m glad that she’s found someone good enough for her.”
“I’ve always liked her.” Uncle Gordon looked past him. Then, with another pat on his nephew’s back, he left to answer his wife’s summons, leaving Paul to shake his head over his family’s bluntness.
He glanced across the noisy room. People milled about, rearranging the crowd. Finally he spotted Stacy. She had moved to the family room and was now cornered by his younger brother, Tyrell. Her short brown hair glistened, her expressive eyes crinkled as her mouth curved up in a smile. A response to some smart comment from Tyrell, Paul was sure.
With a proprietary grin, he sauntered over to claim her.
“Up for a game of pool?” His other brother, Derk, caught him by the arm as he passed.
Paul looked over to Stacy and Tyrell, now joined by his aunt Grace. He stopped, knowing exactly what she would be bringing up—each childhood prank, misdemeanor and his frequent brushes with the RCMP. He didn’t feel like rehashing old crimes.
“If we can get the rug rats away from the table, I’m game.” Paul followed Derk downstairs, shutting the door on the buzz of conversation, ensuring a break from further inquisitions from family. They were greeted by a louder burst of music as they reached the bottom of the stairs and the open recreation room dominated by a pool table.
“Shut that thing off,” Derk shouted to nobody in particular. And of course nobody listened.
Grumbling, he walked over to the shelf stereo that practically shook and turned it off.
“That’s my favorite song,” cried a young girl sticking her head out of a bedroom.
“It isn’t mine.” Derk took a pool cue and handed one to Paul.
“But Derk, it’s ‘Jars of Clay,”’ complained another, as if that explained everything.
“Well, I’m surprised they haven’t shattered by now,” he called back.
Paul laughed at the aggrieved look of his younger cousin and winked at her. “When we’re done you can deafen yourselves again, Tiffany.”
She looked back at him, frowning, then recognition dawned. “Oh, it’s you, Paul.”
“Oh, c’mon, it hasn’t been that long,” he complained, feeling her hesitation wounding him with a gentle pain.
She shrugged as if unable to spare the time to answer. Tiffany and another girl Paul didn’t recognize ducked back into a bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
“It has been a while, big brother,” Derk said, racking up the balls. “What was the last family do you came for?”
“Not you, too,” Paul complained, chalking his cue. “You know I was up for Christa and George’s wedding.”
“Did you know they’re having a real hard time toilet training their oldest child?”
“Right,” Paul said dryly.
“Who did you bring to that?” Derk frowned, his eyes unfocused as if reaching
