When she calmed down and let him go, she grabbed a tissue. “I don’t believe this. I’m totally blown away.”
Graham cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’ve accepted our offer. Laura will be so pleased. When you have time, I’ll take you out and show you so you can make plans. It’ll be a big move and you’ll probably want to make changes before you take over. I’m sure things are going to work very well for the future of the shelter.”
“And all we have to do is find homes for sixty animals before we can move in.” Ruby had a moment of panic at the thought of not meeting his target. She brushed it aside. With all of the resources available to them, there was no excuse to fail.
“No, you don’t. You can move in and still be trying during the crossover. It’s merely an incentive for you to work harder and for my board to agree.”
* * *
“How did she take it?”
Graham sat down in front of Simon’s desk. “Very well. They were over the moon. It makes me feel good about the future for them, Simon. I decided that to get this past the board, they should have targets to meet to prove they were doing the community a service. I think they’ll do it too.” He proceeded to fill Simon in on the details.
“I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t make those figures if you’re willing to help. Advertising costs a fortune these days. I can chip in too if you like.”
“I think you’ve paid enough already, don’t you?”
Simon shrugged. “At least let me help on the administration side of things then. It’s a lot for Carly to take on. I can use some of our programs to match dogs to the right owners. That kind of thing.”
“You can run that past the girls if you like. Make sure you aren’t treading on anyone’s toes.”
Simon made a mental note to talk to Tyler and see what they could pull together. They knew people now, helpful people.
“Laura is excited to be involved too. I’m thinking of taking her out to see Ruby next week to choose a friend for Bubbles. Why not have two thoroughly spoiled dogs instead of one? I just have to find the right time to broach the subject with my dear wife. It’ll bring those memories of that dark day back.”
“Understandable but I think it’s a great idea. You didn’t tell her I used to own the land, did you?”
Graham shook his head. “I saw no reason to. You didn’t want that to be public knowledge, I gather?”
“No. I’d rather not. It was nothing to do with me and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Graham put his fingers together in tent fashion and clicked his tongue. “A word from a wise old man, Simon. Secrets never do any good in a relationship. If it were me, I’d tell her. You have nothing to lose.”
You have no idea, Simon thought. I promised her I wouldn’t do anything that smacks of me buying her time and this might not go down well. I don’t want her to take it the wrong way.
“Leave it with me. Now, you came to sign the papers for the land. Liam has them all drawn up so it’s only a case of you and I putting our mark on the deal.”
“Let’s do this then. I can’t wait to go and tell Laura to start planning what she’s going to do for the foundation. She’s already talking to old friends, planning lunches and dinners to fundraise and lift awareness of the plight of our homeless and neglected animals. I haven’t seen her so animated in years. It looks as though I’m getting my wife back at long last.”
Simon buzzed his lawyer and the papers were soon signed and exchanged. He shook Graham’s hand.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Simon. You won’t believe how much this is going to change everyone’s lives.”
George took that opportunity to wander in from the basement room and sniff at Graham’s leg. Graham looked at Simon, his eyebrow raised. “Yours I gather? Haven’t seen him before.”
“He is. He usually spends the day with Mom but since they’re on holiday, he’s with me at the office. No manners I’m afraid. Hard to train a deaf dog but we do the best we can.”
Graham leaned down and patted George who rolled over and presented his belly for a rub. “You big softie.” He stood and grinned. “Like owner, like dog I’d say. I know you’re doing this for Ruby, Simon, not for me. Tell her soon so it doesn’t become an issue between you. I like her a lot and from what I hear from your parents, you still do too.”
“It’s history, Graham. Not sure if it’s possible to fix it.” Simon had always trusted Graham with business advice. He was the one who got him into land purchases when they made it big. An old school friend of his father’s, he’d offered advice freely. But they’d never really gotten personal before.
“I know your parents were bitterly disappointed when you two broke up. Please don’t let money come between you again. I’d like to see everyone happy and since I don’t have my own son to advise anymore, you’re going to get my words of wisdom whether you like it or not.”
“You’ve always been good to me with business. Tyler and I both appreciate it.”
“I had good business support growing up and I like to share my knowledge where I can. That reminds me—tell Tyler the mansion next to yours is coming up for sale soon. I don’t believe it will go on the open market either. It’ll be by tender only but I do have contacts.”
Simon rolled
