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"I think that's why the memory sticks out to me. It turns out that the woman is the same woman who was renting Chloe's house, the one who passed away a couple of weeks ago."
Joel's eyes widened. "No way. That's a strange coincidence."
"Exactly what I thought, but I don't know what it means, or if it means anything. It's just odd." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he rocked back on his heels, still feeling more rattled than he should. He'd told Chloe that it didn't matter, but here he was, talking about it again. "Anyway, forget it. Tell me what's going on with your project."
"Hold on. Who do you think this woman was to your dad?"
"I don't know, maybe a relative of some sort. She seemed to be very interested in spending time with me. She told me she loved me in a letter."
Joel's gaze grew more curious. "Was she tied to your mom?"
"I think it was my dad, but I don't know, and I don't think I'll be able to find out. As you know, my dad was estranged from his parents and his in-laws. I don't see them answering my questions. I just need to stop thinking about it."
"Or figure out what it all means."
"Let's talk about you," he said, forcing a change in subject. "What's keeping you so busy?"
"The potential development on the north shore and major pushback from some senior execs about my plan to downsize New York and create satellite offices."
"That can't have surprised you. Most of those employees are New Yorkers, and they've been with your dad for years."
"Yes, and some of them should retire like he did. I'd like to fire a couple of them, but I can't do that," he said in frustration. "I know what I'm doing, Decker. They need to trust me."
"Trust takes time. Be patient."
"That's not my nature, not when it comes to business, not when I know I'm right."
"I get it, but you're going to need to get the staff on your side. Maybe you're trying to do too much too fast."
"I've run the numbers. My satellite office plan will save us money. It's a good idea."
"What about the people who don't want to move out of New York, some of whom have been there for a very long time?"
"I'm not giving up the office there, just downsizing. I'm sure we have some employees who would love the option to move out of New York City and get a bigger space for a cheaper cost somewhere else. It's just my father and his cronies who are hanging on to the way it's always been."
"It's difficult to get people to change." He paused. "I have to say, Joel, I'm still surprised that this small-town life is what you want."
"I needed to shake things up. I can't be my father's clone, Decker. I have to find my own way. Here, I can be myself. I don't have a past or a reputation to live up to. I don't have a network of people to impress. That feels good."
He nodded. "Well, I hope it works out the way you want it to."
"It will. I just need people to do what I want them to do."
"Good luck with that," he said, as the line finally moved into the hall. After paying for their pancakes, they stepped up to a long buffet. Chloe was standing behind a large flat top griddle, her hair up in a ponytail, her cheeks a rosy pink, her eyes sparkling as she flipped pancakes and slid them onto a plate. Leo was playing at a table behind her with another child, who appeared to be about eight or nine.
"There's my girl," Joel said, waving to Chloe.
Chloe looked at them and smiled.
As the warmth of her smile washed over him, Joel moved in front of him, putting him in the cold shadows. And he didn't like it. Nor did he like being reminded that Chloe was Joel's girl.
Maybe that's exactly why he needed the reminder.
When they got to Chloe's position on the line, Joel said, "Hey, babe. How's it going?"
Chloe seemed to flush even more at his words. "Fine, busy. I'm glad you guys came."
"Wouldn't miss it," Joel said. "I'll take three."
