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My grandfather shakes his head. “Suffice it to say, he’s not happy that I didn’t keep up my end of the deal.”
“You didn’t…” my words fall short.
“Cash, open the envelope.”
If the document on the inside hands the company to my father, I will scream. He can’t possibly think I’ll follow through.
When my hand stills, my grandfather’s voice grows louder. “Open the envelope.”
I throw back my head and close my eyes before doing as he asks. As I slide it open, I find several documents. “What is this?” I ask as I sort through each one.
The first is a warranty deed, although I have no idea for what. The next one is a contract. Or so it appears.
“The assets of the business. I started divesting the company years ago, fully aware of what was coming.”
I look up at him in confusion, but he keeps talking.
“Cash, you were always like me. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know. But like me, you loved the creation side of the business. Getting to know the workers at the distillery, the fermentation process, the distilling process. We were never meant to be just in the office running things. We were meant to be on the ground. I missed that when we moved to Boston. It was good for business and good for our family, but I knew like me you’d jump at the chance to stay in Tennessee if given the option. It’s why I didn’t force you to come back years ago to learn the business side of things.”
My grandfather pulls a mask of oxygen over his face, takes a hit, and then continues. “I thought I’d have more time…and for that I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you hanging in the wind.”
I shake my head. “Pa, you didn’t. And I’m sorry that I’ve been so behind on learning the business side of things. You’re right, I do miss being on the ground. The suit and tie thing is taking some getting used to, but I promise I’ll get the hang of it. I’ll figure out a way to get the company back from Hanson…”
My grandfather shakes his head. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I didn’t want you to choose. And I didn’t want you to have to fight my battles with your father. That’s why I opened a distilling facility in Rhode Island. It’s why I stopped production in Tennessee.”
Confusion must stretch in every corner of my face. My grandfather laughs and then coughs again. “I know this is a lot. But the company you merged with Hanson is worthless.”
He coughs out a laugh again, and a smile spreads across his face. “Before I got sick, Charles Landry and I were getting ready to bring you on board to announce our new project…next page, son.”
I look down at the papers in my hand and flip to the next page.
Red, White, and Whiskey.
“It’s been soaking for three years. It’s time to take it out of the barrels and begin bottling. It’s a new era.Yours.”
I’m still lost as to what any of this means. “You were working with Landry? I thought he was going to partner with James/Hanson? Hanson and Carter have been working the angle for the last few months.”
My grandfather shakes his head. “He didn’t know who knew what, so he kept up appearances, but he was never going to partner with the Hansons. He wanted a Bristol family and that’s what we are. This whiskey is going to be made right here. You can oversee everything. All without the threat of your father taking it. The company has been in your and your siblings’ names for years, but you’ll run it.”
“But Cat is engaged to Hanson. We merged a company that’s worthless. This will destroy them.”
My grandfather glares. “She made a deal with the devil. She should have known better.”
“That’s not fair, Pa. She did what she thought was best. And I think she really loves him.”
My grandfather takes another hit of oxygen and leans back. He looks tired. “It’s all there,” he says, pointing to the paperwork. “I need to rest. But Cash, you can’t tell anyone about this until the announcement.”
“What announcement?”
“At the Fourth of July ball.”
“Fourth of July? Pa, it’s Christmas. You expect me to hide this from the entire family until then?”
“Not just family, Cash. You can’t tell anyone but Frank. You’ll need his help. Get in touch with Landry and he’ll fill in the rest of the pieces.”
“But what about our employees?”
My grandfather nods. “Landry is going to take care of them. Keep them on payroll until we become profitable, which should happen quickly. We’ve got an entire rollout.”
