4
The moment he walked into A Fresh Day he knew there was something different about this place. Of course, it wasn’t open to serve the public yet, but Patty had obviously been there for hours getting the place ready for his arrival.
Dylan hated that she’d gone to so much trouble when his reasoning behind this visit had nothing to do with the facility. Normally he could blatantly brush someone off and get to the point. Patty’s enthusiasm and effort made him delay asking for what he wanted.
“And this is our laundry room. We encourage people to come as often as they wish. We don’t care if they have only a few items or several loads. We provide all detergent for them as well. If someone comes here with only the clothes on their back, we always make sure they leave with at least one clean set. Not always the right size, but we do the best we can. We run strictly on donations and volunteers.”
“And you get paid how?” Dylan asked. She was the one who’d opened the door to that line of questioning.
“I don’t. No one does. This used to be my parents’ place years ago. They owned the building and gave it to me when they retired.”
He knew the location. “This is prime location for real estate. Why haven’t you sold?”
Patty met him square in the eyes. “Because this is also prime location to help those who need it. What would another apartment complex or store that they couldn’t afford to go into be to them? For me, for my family, and for all those who come and help, this place has nothing to do with money.”
She was definitely passionate about what she was doing here. Dylan hated to admit it, but this might be something he and his brothers looked into for sponsoring. Or maybe Grayson Corp. They needed to change their status in the community. Rosslyn had done some things, but mostly with the staffing. How much could one pregnant woman do who had never run a company before? Charles was helping, but he also was overly distracted with adjusting to being a husband and now a father.
“I would like more information regarding this place. This isn’t the best time for me, but why don’t you come by the office next week? This will give you time to prepare as well.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re serious? You’re thinking about helping us?”
“I said I’d look at your place more closely. If it is what you say, then there is a possibility you’ll have a sponsor. This, however, must stay between you and me for now. I don’t want anyone getting wind of it, or the meeting won’t take place. Understood?” She nodded. “Good. Here is the money I had mentioned on the phone.” Dylan handed her five one hundred-dollar bills. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a look at the wall of honor you spoke about.”
“Certainly. It’s growing slowly, but that is okay.” She led him to a back room holding all the photos. “Not very fancy, but we don’t need it to be.”
Dylan scanned the pictures, bypassing the men. One woman’s face leapt off the wall, and he knew right then it was her. Sofia Marciano. What it didn’t explain was how the hell she’d gotten the money and the business card. He hadn’t given it to her and definitely hadn’t dropped one either. No one at the restaurant had it either. Except for my family. Gareth was the type of guy who’d tell him not to do something, and then he’d intervene and do it for him. That had to be the explanation behind this.
“Thank you for showing me your place Patty. I’ll call you when I have time to meet.”
She beamed and said, “Thank you for another donation. It’s going into this week’s sock fund.”
Socks.Simple and something he and most took for granted. A Fresh Day was doing their part to make a difference. He knew this was the perfect fit for Rosslyn. And it would give her something fun and positive to think about while home with Penelope.
He nodded and left the building. It was time for him to make a quick stop at Lawson Steel for a meeting. He needed to get Gareth alone so they could talk about their father. No matter how much was being put on his plate, Dylan wasn’t going to forget this. There was something left unsaid, and it was time to find out what that was. If Gareth didn’t want in on it, Dylan would face their father alone. It wouldn’t be the first time.
As the youngest, he and his father sure as hell didn’t see eye-to-eye. His mother had stepped in many times as they disputed Dylan’s choice of lifestyle. Dear old Dad dressed the same way every day, acted the same too. He never raised his voice or seemed to step out of line. If you asked Dylan, he was boring as hell. The only thing he ever did was work, then come home for dinner and eat with the family, then work some more.
Dylan missed a lot of dinners, and his curfew was broken more times than it was kept. Quiet wasn’t something Dylan had ever been accused of. Wherever he went, he left an impression. Not always a good one, but he believed those days were behind him. For the most part, at least.
When he arrived at Lawson Steel and walked into the boardroom, his jaw clenched. This wasn’t what he wanted to see. Their father was sitting in the CEO’s seat. He’d given up that spot years ago. Although Dylan had challenged whether or not Charles should fill it, that doubt no longer lingered. Lawson Steel finally was heading in the direction they’d all agreed upon. All except one. Dad, you should be with Mom. Not here.
It was a horrible thought, and he didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but they didn’t need their father’s help. Actually, during his reign, the company had slipped backwards. Their grandfather ran a much tighter ship and was an aggressive businessman. Dad was intelligent, but forceful? Not even close. And I want to know why.
Sitting down even now and listening to his father talk, it wasn’t as though he were in charge. If any of them spoke up and pushed back, Dylan didn’t think there would be much of a fight. If this was going to be long term, he would’ve spoken up. But right now no one wanted to rock the boat and bring any unneeded stress onto Charles. So they all shut their mouths and ignored what they could.
“Any questions before I go and visit my grandson?”
“Granddaughter, Dad,” Ethan corrected.
Their father huffed. “Wishful thinking I guess.”
Don’t let Charles hear you say that.“I don’t know, she’s kind of cute. Besides, you had six boys, I’d think you were ready for a girl.”
“That’s not how this works,” he replied.
Seth laughed. “Dad, I think you need to read up on this, because that’s exactly how it works.”
Shooting Seth a warning glance, he said calmly, “You know what I mean. The Lawson name is everything.”