Twins For My Bestie’s Brother (Billionaire Daddies)

28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Jackson

“ I have to admit, Jackson, your town is charming,” Danforth says, sliding his hands into his pockets as we amble down the forest path.

I smile, though I’m unsure. Charming can be a compliment, but it can also be a veiled insult. “I’m glad you think so. We quite like it.”

Carina and Lily walk up ahead of us, chatting enthusiastically, heading toward the bend toward the lookout point. From behind, you wouldn’t be able to tell Lily’s over four months pregnant now. However, it’s a different story face-to-face. The twins are growing rapidly. It was the first thing Carina said when she and Danforth arrived in Cider Bay.

“You’re pregnant, and you’re huge .”

I’ve been working extra hard at making her feel beautiful since then, not that her size should be of any concern given that she’s growing not just one life, but two. It goes deeper than that, though. It’s all moving just a little too fast. Amidst all the excitement, there’s still the fear of everything changing.

“A good place to raise your children,” Danforth goes on. “I understand why you wouldn’t want to leave.”

“We turned out okay,” I say with a nod toward Lily just before the girls disappear around the bend. “It’s why I moved back in the first place; I was ready to settle down. It just happened a lot faster than anticipated.”

Danforth laughs. “That’s life. And that’s having children. You’re never quite ready for them. And then when you are, it doesn’t happen as you’d like.”

The note of sadness in Danforth’s words pulls at my chest.

“I like that they get on,” Danforth says, quickly changing the subject. “The girls.”

“Me too.”

Today is their last day here. Unlike my time in Banff, their trip was short, only a long weekend, versus a week. It’s the tradeoff for Danforth’s experience. He doesn’t have to comply to the same unspoken rules I do.

It has happened quickly. Well, as quickly as things can happen for a businessman like Danforth. When he says jump, I say how high. When I say jump, he says as soon as he can.

That has turned out to be a month after our phone call. It has given me a good amount of time to get my business proposal together and start scoping out potential partners. Between Northern Michigan and the UP, there are plenty of adventure expeditions that could be done any time of year. I’d focused on engaging a corner of the market that wanted adventure not too far out of their backyard. It’s not all Everest and Tuscany and all the far corners of the earth. Sometimes it’s something nearby.

Lily and I have spent the past three days introducing Danforth to Cider Bay’s majesty. The potential for yachting on Lake Michigan and extended “survival” camping trips in the dense forests and nearby mountains. Danforth has been poised but engaged. I haven’t been able to get quite as good a read on him as I’d like.

The truth is, if he doesn’t want to do this with me, I’ll do it myself. Because Lily’s right. We have a life set up for ourselves and for our children. But that doesn’t mean our lives have to stop. That’s a quick way to dissatisfaction, and while being a dad is already becoming the most important role in my mind, I want to still be me. I’d never ask Lily to tamp down her spirit and contain herself to being a mother. So why should I expect that of myself?

We’ve mused together in bed over all the adventures we’ll have as a family and all the art we can make together.

Our children will have a full life because our lives were full before they were even conceived.

“I have to say, Jackson, I’m not used to being told no,” Danforth says as we kick up dust toward the bend in the path.

A cool April breeze slides over my skin, but the chill that runs down my back is thanks to his looming words.

“I was furious with you when you took off from Banff like that.”

“Believe me, I would never have done it if it hadn’t been for . . . ” I swallow. Personal life and business shouldn’t mix. They’re supposed to stay squarely in two separate camps. And to the old guard, business comes first. That’s why they go through wives so quickly, why so many of their children don’t visit often. “Lily will always come first for me. I understand if that makes you wary of joining me in this.”

Danforth sighs. “You have your priorities right. I’m just jealous you figured it out sooner than I was able to.”

I’m unsure what to say, so we walk in silence out onto the lookout point where the girls have already perched on the edge of a rock to take in the view of the bay. Early spring in Cider Bay is gorgeous. Green budding everywhere, birdsong coming to life after months of quiet, and days growing longer.

“It’s a slower way of life here,” Danforth says, his tone indecipherable.

“Yes, it takes getting used to.”

Danforth nods softly.

Lily glances over her shoulder at me and smiles, her chin tucked on her shoulder and her nose scrunching. My stomach flips. I often get glimpses of the girl I once knew all those years ago. The one my teenage heart couldn’t stop beating for.

“Look, Danforth, I know this isn’t what you had in mind,” I say, ripping my eyes from Lily. “But I believe it could work.”

Danforth appraises me for a moment before nodding. “I think so too.”

There’s a glimpse of hope I don’t want to linger on.

“I wanted to work with you, Jackson. The project was exciting because I knew I had the right man for the job. And even though you pissed me the hell off, I have to say now I have a deeper respect for you. You put her first. That’s something I’m just learning to do.”

I nod once. “I don’t always succeed, but . . . with the twins and her studio, taking her from Cider Bay is out of the question. Our families are here. Our work is going to be too.”

Danforth smiles softly, then sticks out his hand toward me.

I look at it with a quirked eyebrow.

“It’s a handshake. You haven’t forgotten what those are, right?”

I take his hand. “But what’s it—”

“I’m in,” Danforth says. “Carina loves it here. Thinks it’s quaint which is a compliment in her eyes, and I want to take a page out of your book. Make her happy and let the rest fall into place.”

We shake on it while I do my best to veil my shock. I thought he was about to let me down. Politely. Kindly, of course. Not . . . agree.

“There are details to work out, of course,” he says.

“Of course.”

“But I’m going to let you take the lead,” Danforth says. “Let’s make it happen.”

Before we can speak any further, Carina squeals in delight and leaps off the rock, bounding toward us. She launches herself into Danforth’s side. “We have to go!” she announces.

He does his best to steady himself. “Oh?”

“Lily’s giving us matching tattoos. We’ve already discussed the details. We’ll be the first ones to get them in her new shop. A month before it’s open! I can post on social media about it and everything.”

Danforth gapes at his wife. “Tattoos? I, well, I don’t—”

“Please! Please, we’ll be patronizing the work of an independent artist.”

I laugh as Lily comes over to join us. I give her a sly smile. “Was this your idea?”

“Not even a bit,” she says. “All Carina.”

I loop my arm around her neck and kiss the top of her head. Then, I run my free hand over her stomach. She catches it with her own and keeps my hand pressed against her. Mine. All mine.

“Fine, fine, fine,” Danforth quells Carina’s pleas. “Under one condition.” His eyes find mine.

It takes me a moment to realize what he’s about to suggest. “Oh, no.”

“Oh, yes ,” he says.

“Jackson doesn’t like needles,” Lily intercedes. “I couldn’t do that to him.”

Carina’s lower lip pokes out.

I swallow. Dammit. The man just closed a deal with me. The last thing I can do is disappoint him. “No. I’ll do it. I’ll be . . . I’ll be fine.”

Famous last words.