Page 24 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

The ball sailed straight down the fairway. All of us had grown up on the golf course. A couple of my brothers were probably good enough to go on the professional circuit. Golf wasn’t something I loved, though. It was something I did because that’s what it took to schmooze businessmen. I didn’t hate it, but I wasn’t going to be the guy with a regular tee time.

“Show-off,” Austin muttered.

We made our way down the course. The conversation flowed naturally between business and personal life. Austin couldn’t stop talking about the baby. Kent shared updates about Tiana. The dude was obsessed in the best way.

“How’s the Northwood expansion going?” I asked Kent as we waited for Finn to take his shot.

“Really good, actually. We broke ground on the new community center last month. Should be finished by fall.”

“And the Christmas tree farm?”

“Booming. Sylvie’s parents are already talking about expanding for next season. The whole town is thriving again.”

Northwood had been a calculated risk that paid off, both financially and in terms of Kent’s happiness, which indirectly benefited the family.

“Good to hear.”

Finn stepped up and absolutely crushed his drive, the ball sailing past mine by at least twenty yards.

“When did you get so good?” Austin demanded.

“I’ve been practicing.” Finn’s tone was casual, but there was something underneath it. Something he wasn’t saying.

“In LA?” I asked.

“Among other places.”

We continued playing. The conversation shifted to the wedding. Four weeks wasn’t much time, but Melody seemed to have it under control. Austin was mostly just along for the ride, agreeing to whatever she wanted.

“Smart man,” Kent observed. “That’s the secret to a happy marriage. Say ‘yes, dear’ and mean it.”

“Is that what you do?” Austin asked.

“Absolutely. Sylvie wants to expand the tree farm? Yes, dear. Wants to adopt twelve rescue dogs? Yes, dear. Wants to do the spare bedroom in cow prints⁠—”

“Yes, dear,” we all said in unison.

I was glad he was happy. Good for him. We all had our own paths in life. Mine was business. Always had been. “So Finn, what exactly have you been doing in LA? Dad mentioned some potential partnerships out west, but he was vague on details.”

Finn’s expression shifted. It was barely perceptible, but I’d spent enough time reading people to catch it. “Just exploring some opportunities. Tech sector stuff. Meeting with potential investors.”

“Which companies?”

“Nothing concrete yet. Still in preliminary stages.”

I studied him. “If Dad knew about it, he would have told me. I handle most of the West Coast dealings.”

“It’s personal business, not Bancroft Holdings business.”

“Personal business that requires you to spend months in LA?”

Finn’s jaw tightened. “Can we not do this right now? I’m trying to enjoy a round of golf with my brothers.”

“Leave him alone, Cash. Maybe he’s got a girl out there. Or five. We don’t judge.”

Finn took his shot. The ball hooked left into the rough. “Shit.”

We moved on, but I filed the conversation away for later. Finn was hiding something. Whether it was relevant to family business or not, I’d find out eventually.