A Family Affair: The Wish: Truth in Lies, Book 9 by Mary Campisi Read Free Book Online Page A

married. But it didn’t matter because she’d chosen his brother. Adam glanced at his watch again and said, “No.”
    “No, what? No, it’s not a yes, or no, it’s not a yes, but it is a maybe?”
    Clever. “No, there’s no information or update to report. I’m currently single and plan to remain so for the foreseeable future.” Bree had been a breath of fresh air but he didn’t even know her last name. As for last night, he couldn’t identify or categorize what had happened, a true first for him.
    “If you say so.”
    Another code phrase for I don’t believe a word you’re saying, but have it your way. The truth will slip out sooner or later. It always does . Adam ignored the comment and said, “You wanted to meet about a business that might be for sale?” He checked his watch again. If they didn’t get this meeting started, he’d never make it back to Bree’s hotel by 11:00 and he couldn’t risk her thinking he wouldn’t be there, or worse, leaving before he got there.
    Roman eyed him one last time before he tossed his pen on the desk, sat back in his chair, and sighed. “I’ve got a bit of a sticky situation. It involves my hometown, Magdalena, New York. I got a phone call the other day from a man who owns a furniture business and is looking to sell it. It’s a cabinet-making place, quality stuff, room for expansion, been around as long as I can remember.”
    Adam sank into the chair across from Roman’s desk, intrigued by a business in Roman’s hometown. The place was a dot on the map, somewhere in or around the Catskills, away from anything resembling city or civilization. Where did people shop for clothes, and what about shoes? Fashions had to be a few years behind, at least. And snow? Roman said they had their share and there’d been a time a few Christmases ago when the whole town shut down. But that hadn’t stopped people from celebrating, many sharing their homes, food, and fireplaces. Apparently, the town was built on community, friendship, and a whole lot of support from the residents. That concept was an unfamiliar though not entirely unwelcome one. Still, how did a person go about engaging in that sort of endeavor? Was the support organic or planned out step by step? The concept intrigued and fascinated him and he thought he’d enjoy visiting such a place, with the exception of the fashion issue. That he would not enjoy. “Magdalena,” Adam repeated, liking the sound of the name as it rolled off his tongue. “So, the owner’s retiring and wants to unload.”
    “Kind of.”
    “Ah.” Adam raised a brow. “There’re a lot of possibilities in those two words. Is this where it gets sticky, and where I’m sent to unstick it?”
    Roman didn’t try to hide his smile. “Pretty much.”
    “Then you’d better tell me the whole story so I know what I’m walking into.”
    “Rex’s daughter’s running the place right now, and according to him, it’s too much for her. He says she has no life aside from work and the kids.” Roman sighed, rubbed his jaw. “He wants us to find a buyer for the place and part of the deal will include a job for her, just not running it.”
    “Okay.” Sounded reasonable. Owners sold their companies all the time and many stayed on as employees. Definitely doable. “What’s the sticky part?”
    “He doesn’t want her to know what’s happening until the deal’s done. I guess because he’s afraid she’ll try to convince him not to sell.” He shook his head. “She’s always been a daddy’s girl and he hates to disappoint her.”
    “Business is business. No room for spoiled children in the boardroom.” Adam had seen his share of companies fractured by second-generation owners. Some really did care about the business, while others were more interested in personal agendas and perks.
    “I think she’s doing a decent job with the business, but Rex is worried she’s letting it consume her and using it as an excuse not to give another