Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“As well as can be expected. The doctor said she might be released the day after tomorrow. I’ll stick around to get her settled back home, though.”
“We’ve got things covered here,” he says easily. “You do your thing. We’re all praying and sending out good vibes.”
“I appreciate it.” But then I turn to business. “What’s the deal with Coen?”
“It’s true. Tillie has been offered an artist’s residency in New York. Coen said she’s considering it and he reluctantly admitted that he’s not sure he wants to be separated from her for a year. He wants her to have her chance in the art world.”
“So he wants a trade?” No hiding the glum tone that matches my feelings.
“He’s asked Danny to explore. We can make some other trades to loosen up room under our cap, offer Coen more. Try to make it worth his while financially to stay with us.”
I shake my head as I navigate through town, headed toward Willard Hardware’s corporate offices. “Money won’t sway Coen. He’ll take a damn pay cut to go wherever Tillie’s going.”
“Yeah… I know,” Cannon agrees with a sigh. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what Tillie decides.”
“Still work to be done. I’ll start deep-diving prospects.” The Free Agency Frenzy starts in two weeks and if Coen leaves, how we fill that hole will be crucial.
As the general manager, I’m responsible for setting and executing the long-term vision for the team. This might involve multi-year plans, determining the balance between developing young players and pursuing immediate success or making infrastructure decisions like improvements to training facilities.
In the most immediate circumstance, if we lose Coen, we may choose not to replace him with someone of equal talent. We could take the easement on the cap burden and build the team for a future run a few years down the road with young talent. It’s a lot to consider and I’ve got work to do.
I go over a few more things with Cannon and disconnect just as I’m pulling into the Willard Hardware parking lot. Not only is this the original store that Preston’s great-great-grandfather opened, but the second floor houses all the operations as well as the throne upon which Preston sits.
I enter the store and head toward the back where an elevator leads to the second floor. When I step out into the lobby, a receptionist smiles up at me in greeting. “Can I help you?”
“Tell Preston his stepson is here to see him,” I reply.
The woman frowns in confusion, clearly not knowing of my existence. I nod my head toward the door to his office, which I can see from where I’m standing. She picks up the phone on her desk and buzzes him.
“Um… Mr. Willard… there’s someone here claiming to be your stepson.” After a slight pause, she says, “Yes, sir.”
She replaces the receiver. “He says you can go in.”
I give her a curt nod and head toward his office, not bothering to knock when I reach it. I merely open the door and step in without closing it behind me.
Preston Willard was a handsome man once upon a time but his ruddy face is lined with broken veins from too much alcohol, and his stomach is padded with too much good eating. Still, he’s powerful in business and exudes utter confidence as he stands to greet me.
“Callum.”
I forgo any pleasantries. “You need to go visit your wife.”
He inclines his head. “I plan on going at lunch. How is she?”
“She just had fucking brain surgery,” I snarl, my hands closing into fists. “How do you think she’s doing?”
“She’s a lucky woman I found her so quickly,” Preston replies. The glint in his eyes tells me he enjoys messing with me.
I take two strides to the edge of his desk and put my hands down on it. Leaning toward him, I lower my voice. “If I ever find out that she was hurt by your hand or that no-good son of yours, I’ll end you both.”
Preston tips his head back and laughs. “Empty threats. There’s no proof that Lila did anything but fall on the back steps and hit her head.”
“Your lack of empathy seems pretty damning,” I grit out.
“I care for your mother well, boy. She’s led a good life since we married. Maybe you should be a touch more grateful.”
I’m done with this fucker. I push back from his desk, pointing a finger at him. “If I get the barest hint you hurt her in any way, now or in the past, you’re going to regret it, old man.”
“Is that a threat?” he demands.
“A fucking promise.”
I spin and stride out of his office, slamming the door behind me. The receptionist jumps, emitting a tiny squeak of fright.
I know Preston said there wasn’t any proof, but he underestimates my ingenuity. I force a smile on my face as I ask the receptionist. “Is Joshua in?”