A Forever Family (Forever #6) (6 page)

Collin

I was sitting at my desk when the intercom rang. “Yes, Mom.”

“Your next candidate is here for an interview.”

I rolled my eyes. “Tell her to have a seat. I’ll be with her shortly.”

Interviewing these women was getting annoying. They were young, with only one thing on their minds. How did I know? The way they dressed and strutted into my office told me everything. They would sit down in the chair across from me, slightly lift up their skirts, and then cross their legs, sitting back in the chair in a seductive manner. One woman even had the nerve to wear a sheer white blouse with a black push-up bra underneath. The minute she unbuttoned her top three buttons, I booted her out of my office. These women obviously didn’t care that I was married. I needed to find someone and fast. Work was piling up and my dad was keeping Laurinda very busy with his own projects. My mom tried to help out a few days a week, but the only thing she could do was answer the phones.

I got up from my desk and prepared myself for the person that was sitting outside my office. When I opened the door, I saw my mom talking to a guy. She was laughing.

“Collin, this is Ethan. He’s here for the job interview.” She gave me a wide grin.

Standing there in shock, I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you, Ethan.”

We shook hands and I led him into my office. I turned and looked at my mom who was smiling at me.

“Please, have a seat,” I spoke as I took my place behind my desk.

There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

My mom walked in and handed me Ethan’s resume. “You forgot to grab this.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled as I took it from her.

When she walked out and closed the door, Ethan spoke, “She’s your mom?”

“Yeah. She’s helping out until I find a replacement.”

“Just in the few moments I spoke with her, I could tell she was a great woman.”

“Thank you.”

I leaned back in my chair and propped my ankle on my thigh, studying Ethan’s resume. “You worked for Littlefield International?”

“Yes. I was the personal assistant to Matthew Convoy, assistant Vice President.”

This was good. This was real good. “I see. They had to shut down a few months ago.”

“Yeah. Poor accounting practices and too much embezzlement going on.”

“That’s what I heard. So tell me about yourself.” I was liking him already. He reminded me of Mason when he was younger.

“I’m very organized, highly motivated, and I can multi-task like nobody’s business.”

“How come you haven’t found a job yet, considering Littlefield shut down a few months ago?”

He looked down and began twiddling his thumbs. I could sense something was up and he became very nervous.

“It’s okay, Ethan. You can tell me anything.”

He looked up at me and took in a deep breath. “I had a short-term job after I left Littlefield, but it didn’t work out.”

“I don’t see that on your resume. Did you get fired?”

“No. I quit. I didn’t put it on my resume because it was a bad experience and the woman I worked for said that she would ruin me and she’d make it difficult for me to get another job.”

Arching my eyebrow, I became intrigued. Leaning forward, I placed my hands on my desk. “Interesting. What happened? And I swear I won’t hold it against you.”

Uneasiness settled in as he began to tell me. “I took a job as the personal assistant to Kitty Chambers.”

“Kitty Chambers, as in daughter of Gerald Chambers, CEO of Chamber Enterprises?”

“Yes. Now do you understand why I didn’t want to mention this?”

“Please, go on. I can’t stand that woman.”

Instantly, he perked up. “Things started off pretty good and then she began to have me come to her home to do some work from there. After a while, she became very interested in me, if you know what I mean, and she asked me to do personal things for her.”

“Such as?” I was desperate to know the juicy details.

“She wanted me to give her oral sex.”

I chuckled as I leaned back in my chair. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but I’m not surprised.”

“In case you can’t tell, I’m not into the female gender and I am in a very happy relationship with my boyfriend of two years. I told her this and she said she didn’t care. All she wanted was oral sex, nothing else, and she wanted it at least three times a week. She even went so far as to schedule it. When I turned her down, she became irate and started making me do very menial tasks, which she called my punishment. The woman is a freak, Mr. Black.”

I sat there and nodded my head. The rumors that I’d heard about her were now confirmed and I was taking great pleasure in it.

“I’m sorry she did that to you, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. You did the right thing by quitting.”

“She told me that it will be a cold day in Hell before I get another job in the corporate world.”

“Ethan, my man. I like you, and if you’re interested, I would like you to come work for me and Black Enterprises. Your resume is impeccable and I can tell just by sitting and talking to you that you would be a great asset to me and this company. Can you start now? I really need my mom to go back to doing what she does best, and that’s painting and being a mom.”

His face lit up and a wide grin appeared across his face. “Thank you so much, Mr. Black. I would love to work for you, and yes, I can start now.”

“Awesome. But one thing. Call me Collin.”

He stood up from his chair as I extended my hand to him. “Thank you, Collin. Thank you again. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“You’re welcome, and you have no idea how much this means to me.”

Walking over to the door, I opened it and looked at my mom.

“Sorry, Mom, but your time’s up here. You’re free to leave. I’ve hired Ethan and he’s agreed to start right now.”

“That’s wonderful, Collin. I knew he’d be perfect here.” She smiled.

She got up from the desk and gave Ethan a light hug. Just a few moments of conversation and they’d already bonded.

“Congratulations, Ethan. If my son gives you any trouble, you call me. Here’s my number.”

“Mom. Stop it,” I spoke as I narrowed my eyes at her.

She laughed as she placed her hand on my face and then headed to my dad’s office.

“Come with me and I’ll introduce you to my sister.”

He followed me down the hall and I lightly tapped on Julia’s door.

“Come in.”

I walked in proudly and placed my hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “Julia, I would like you to meet my new assistant, Ethan. Ethan, this is my sister, Julia Jensen,” I spoke with a wide smile.

Julia got up from her desk and shook Ethan’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ethan. I hope you enjoy working here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Jensen. I know I will.”

“Please call me Julia. We aren’t very formal around here.”

“Ethan, why don’t you go back to your desk and get acquainted with the space. I’ll be there in a minute and introduce you to Laurinda, who will show you around.”

He walked out of the office and Julia grabbed hold of my arm. “Oh my God, he reminds me of Mason.”

“I know. Get this; he was a personal assistant to Kitty Chambers for a short while until she scheduled oral sex three times a week.”

“Shut up!” She laughed.

“I’m dead serious. So now we know the truth about kinky Ms. Chambers.”

“I’m happy you finally found your dream assistant.”

“Me too.” I kissed her forehead. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Connor

As I leaned back in my office chair and stared at the pictures of my wife, children, and grandchild that graced my desk, I smiled at what a lucky man I was to have such a great life. That was until my cell phone rang and I took a call from my mother.

“Good morning, Mom,” I cheerfully answered.

“Connor.” Her voice was shaky.

I sat up in my chair. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“It’s...it’s… it’s your father. He passed away this morning.”

“What?” My heart started to ache and my mouth went dry. “Where are you?”

“I’m at the house.”

“I’m on my way.”
Click.

I dialed Ellery.

“Hi, babe.”

My lips could barely form the words. “Ellery, my father just passed away.”

“WHAT?! Oh my God, Connor.”

“I’m on my way to get you. We need to go to my mom. She’s at the house.”

“I’ll be ready. I’m so sorry. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I shut down my computer and sprang up from my chair. Walking out of the office, I headed to Collin’s. “Laurinda, call Julia and tell her to get to Collin’s office immediately. Also call Ralph and tell him I’m coming down.”

“Sure thing, Connor,” she said with concern.

My eyes were stinging from the tears that filled them. The minute I walked into Collin’s office, he knew something was wrong.

“Dad, what is it?”

Julia came in right after me and shut the door. “What’s going on, Dad?” she asked in a panic.

“Your grandfather passed away this morning.”

“Oh no, Daddy.” Julia wrapped her arms around me. Collin walked over and did the same. The three of us were locked in an embrace.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Collin whispered.

I tried to compose myself the best I could. “I need to go get your mom and we need to get over to Grandma’s house right away.”

“Do you want us to come with you?” Julia asked.

“No. I need the two of you here. I’ll call you when I know more.” I kissed both of them. “I love you both very much.”

“We love you too, Dad,” they both replied.

I walked out and told Laurinda what had happened and that I’d be out of the office for a period of time.

* * * *

Ellery was waiting outside the apartment building when Ralph pulled up. She flung open the door, climbed in, and wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.

“I’m so sorry, Connor.”

“I know, baby. I am too.”

“Did Jenny say what happened?”

“No. I told her we’d be there as quick as possible. I need to be strong for her, Elle.”

“You will be, baby. We all will be.”

The limo pulled up in front of the house and I saw Cassidy standing at the door. The minute we got out, I ran to her and pulled her into an embrace. She was sobbing.

“I can’t believe it, Connor. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

“I know, sis. Where’s Mom?”

“She’s inside, sitting on the couch. I think she’s in shock.”

Walking inside, I made my way to the living room where I found my mom lying down.

“Connor,” she spoke as she sat up.

Sitting down beside her, I pulled her into me and comforted her. “How did he die?”

“Heart attack. When he got out of bed this morning, he was irritable and not feeling well. He went into the bathroom and when he came out, he was clutching his chest and telling me to call 911. He passed away before they arrived. I screamed for the staff and Juan tried to give him CPR, but it was too late.”

Ellery sat down on the other side of her and held her hand.

“Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll take care of everything.”

“No need, Connor. Your father and I took care of all the arrangements a couple of years ago. Cassidy already called the funeral home. The viewing will take place the day after tomorrow and the funeral will be the next day. After that, all family and guests will come back here to the house for a luncheon.”

I got up from the couch and walked over to the bar, pouring myself a scotch. First Denny and now my father. He hadn’t been sick but maybe twice in his life.

“I want my family here for dinner tonight at six o’clock. Call the kids and make sure they cancel whatever plans they may have. This is a time when we all need to be together.”

“I’ll call them, Connor,” Ellery spoke.

“I’ll do it, baby.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and did a three-way call with Julia and Collin.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, Dad.”

“Your grandmother wants the family together for dinner tonight. Make sure you’re here at six o’clock.”

“How is she?” Julia asked.

“She’s in shock right now.”

“We’ll be there, Dad. See you later,” Collin spoke.

Finishing my drink, I walked back over to the couch and sat down.

“The newspapers have already been called and they’re going to do a feature article on your father for tomorrow’s paper.” She got up and walked into the kitchen.

I looked at Ellery as she grabbed my hand and pressed her lips against it. “Are you okay?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. Don’t you think she looked a little robotic?”

“She’s probably still in shock and it hasn’t hit her yet.”

“I guess.” I put my arm around her and pulled her into me as I softly stroked her hair.

* * * *

“Damn it,” I yelled as I struggled with my tie.

Ellery walked over and took my tie in her hands. “Here. Let me help you.”

“I’m sorry, Elle.”

“Don’t apologize, sweetheart. This is very difficult for all of us.”

She tied my tie and reached up and kissed my lips.

I pulled her into an embrace and held her for a few moments. “I’m still mourning the loss of Denny and now my father.” I broke our embrace and placed my hands on each side of her face. “I’m so happy to have you to go through this with. You’re such a strong woman. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you.”

Pursing her lips together, which gave way to a small smile, she spoke, “You’re not going to lose me, Connor.” Her lips softly brushed against mine. “We have to go or we’re going to be late.”

I put on my suitcoat, grabbed my wallet, and we climbed into the limo and headed to the funeral. After the service at the church, where many tears were shed, we went to the cemetery and watched as they lowered my father’s casket into the ground. Sadness overwhelmed me as I held on tight to Ellery and my mother, while my children stood close, wiping the tears that fell from their eyes. As people walked up to us and gave their condolences, my eye caught the attention of a young man standing over by a tree a few feet away. He was the same man who I saw lurking around the funeral home yesterday and the same man I saw sitting in the back of the church this morning. He stared straight at me for a few moments and then turned and walked away. An uneasiness settled inside me and I didn’t know why.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” Collin asked as he came up next to me.

“See that guy over there walking away?”

“Yeah. Who is he?”

“I don’t know. I saw him at the funeral home yesterday but he didn’t talk to anyone. Just like he didn’t talk to anyone here.” I started to go after him. “Hey,” I yelled as I got closer. He kept walking and didn’t turn around. “Excuse me. Did you know my father?”

He stopped dead in his tracks and lowered his head. I stopped behind him and waited for him to turn around, but he didn’t. He slowly turned his head to the side and, without looking at me, he spoke, “I met him once and I’m sorry for your loss. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere I have to be.” He continued to walk away.

“Connor, what are you doing? Come on; we have to get to your mom’s house.”

“I’m coming,” I spoke as I continued to stare at the man who said he’d met my father once.