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Chapter Twenty-Eight
—Julian—
Day of Locke Enterprises Announcement
MSNBC, Fox Business, and Yahoo Finance were all setting up their camera equipment in my office on the ranch. Autumn wanted the world to know the man behind the expensive suits, and this was the perfect place for them to learn who I was.
Over the last three days, Autumn had kept her distance, and after what I shared, I knew that she would. I’d spent most of my time with Capri—my daughter was the light of my life. She was catching me up on the last nine years of hers, from all her favorite memories to her interests. I was surprised when I learned of her love for classic cars, considering I owned several. I had them imported from Miami, and now they were stored in the garage at our home.
We’d spent most of our time hanging out in the garage, her helping me fix up a few car projects that had kept my mind occupied when I needed to think of something other than work. Capri could barely hold in her excitement the day they’d arrived.
“Daddy!” She walked around the front of my 1967 Chevy Truck. “Are these all your cars?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“How do you have all these classic cars?”
“I’ve collected them over the years.”
“That’s so cool!”
“I’m glad you think so. Your mom wasn’t much of a fan of your old man’s addiction.”
“Oh my God!” Autumn chimed in, walking up behind me. “That is not true—don’t believe your father. I used to love all his cars. If you think these are something, he had an arsenal of them back in the day too.”
“Really?” Capri exclaimed. “How many cars do you think you’ve owned in all your life?”
I thought about it for a moment. “At least fifty, sixty maybe.”
Her eyes went wide. “Daddy, that’s a lot.”
“All those cars helped me figure out how to make an eco-friendly sports car.”
Capri nodded. “That makes sense. Can I help you in the garage with these that still need to be finished?”
“I’d love your help.” I gazed at Autumn. “Maybe your mom can help too?”
“Yesssss, Momma!”
“I think you guys can handle it on your own.”
She walked inside, and I turned my attention to our baby girl, trying to play it off like I wasn’t disappointed that Autumn didn’t want to help us.
The best part of my day was when I’d walk in the house, wearing jeans and a shirt covered in grease and motor oil, my hands covered in it too, and I swear the look in Autumn’s eyes had the power to bring me to my knees.
With a grin, I called her out, “Like what you see, kid?”
She instantly looked away, and I wasn’t going to let this one go. I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“Julian! You’re all messy.”
“You used to love me all messy.”
She turned around, placing her hands on my chest. “That was when I wasn’t wearing a thousand-dollar dress.”
I smiled. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
“I don’t need you to buy me anything.”
