Page 75 of Silver Brewer

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“Was someone with you?” It’s the first thing my uncle says to me as I enter the office on Monday.

“Excuse me?” I don’t know why he’s asking although I know who he’s referencing.

“Mr. Calder’s attorney contacted me. He told me you met with his grandfather.” I stare at my uncle. What is he getting at? Samuel Calder, property manager. “You were supposed to meet with him. Drake Calder.”

No. No. “The paperwork clearly said Samuel Calder.” I’m adamant I didn’t misread the email confirming our meeting time and location.

“Samuel Drake Calder,” my uncle emphasizes. “The grandson. At his office in Knoxville.”

“Knoxville?” I would never make a mistake like this. Caldwell Woods was the location. I knew where I was going. Not to mention, I wasn’t far from Giant. I brush away the thought. If my uncle discovers I entertained seeing Giant as a secondary mission the moment he mentioned Tennessee, he’ll accuse me of being flighty.

“The documentation reads to meet Mr. Samuel Drake Calder at his office. Instead, you met his grandfather at the property location.”

“How did his grandfather know to be at the property then?”

“That’s a very good question.” Uncle Frank glares at me, but the question I’ve asked is the same one I want answered.

“Mr. Calder was very excited about a resort on the property.” I recall the time Giant and I spent with the man. He wanted it restored to its original glory. For my Annie. He was so sweet.

“The old man wants one built there, but he isn’t selling.”

“Yes, he is. We shook on it.” He gave me his word I could have the property. I realize as I’m speaking how ridiculous I sound.

“First of all, nothing’s ever permanent unless it’s in black pen on a dotted line, Olivet. Secondly, Mr. Calder’s attorney, the old man’s grandson, was quite adamant the property will not be sold. Now.”

“Then why did you send me there?” Is this a test? I don’t understand.

“Because the grandson was willing to sell the land until you spoke to his grandfather.”

“I don’t understand.” I don’t.

“It appears the old man won’t part with the land for some silly reason.” Silly? Annie? It’s romantic! “The grandson has the power of attorney for the property and was going to sell despite the old man’s objection.”

“Well, that sounds awful, trying to sell a man’s land out from under him.”

“Mr. Calder isn’t of sound mind.” Frank levels a stare at me as if that should explain everything.

“He seemed lucid to me.” I think back on our conversation. His humor. His flirting. His recall of the resort and a woman who never left his heart. “He was very excited about a resort on the property.”

“Because he thought you were a builder. You and your friend. He thought you were there to rebuild the former resort, not purchase the land for another resort company. He was very confused.” My uncle stares at me as if I confused the man and I’m to blame for twisting things. This doesn’t make sense. The papers stated the location, the owner, the meeting time.

As if reading my mind, my uncle twirls a pile of papers on his desk and pushes them toward me. It clearly states the property for purchase. The owner’s name as Samuel Dean Calder. Meeting time at eight thirty in Knoxville.

Wait. Hold up. That’s not what…

“I don’t understand,” I repeat. How could I have been in the wrong place, miles from where I should have been at the right time? How was the older man there? “He was waiting for me.”

Uncle Frank shakes his head. He doesn’t believe me.

“It seems your friend made quite an impression, and Samuel senior went back to his grandson to tell him of the good news. Imagine Drake’s confusion as he’d been wondering where his eight thirty appointment had been, and he discovers you’d been at the property with his senile grandfather.”

Again, I wonder how Samuel Calder, the elder, was present at the property, and my heart sinks at the slow realization that I’ve majorly fucked this up. An intelligent, organized businesswoman and I’ve made a huge mess of this second chance given to me by my uncle.

Where was your head? I can hear Frank asking without him asking. Giant. My head was wrapped around Giant as were my legs and my heart.

“There must be a mistake. I’ll just call—”