“Just before we were getting ready to walk into the meeting with the board of the investment bank, my dad’s personal attorney, Bob Stoops, handed this to Woolf and me. He said it was a letter my dad had written to us, and he had specifically asked this attorney not to give it to us until at least one month after his death. However, Bob, who was also very good personal friends with my dad, felt like it was more important we read it before going into that meeting, so he sort of made a command decision to deliver it a little early.”

Casey looks down at the envelope and then back to me with uncertainty. I give a nod toward her hands and say, “Read it.”

She opens the envelope and pulls out two sheets of paper that bore my father’s last words to his sons in his neat but rustic penmanship. I read along over her shoulder.

Dear Tenn and Woolf:

It is my hope that as you read this, I can offer you both some words of wisdom and encouragement that perhaps I didn’t have the fortitude to tell you when I was alive. I know I put a lot of pressure on you both to follow in my footsteps, but truly, I don’t ever want that to have been the biggest disservice I may have done to my sons.

I’ve asked Bob to give this to you after I die, but it’s my hope that you can figure things out on your own so I’ve asked him to wait at least a month to deliver it. If for some reason you are faltering or unsure of what to do, please take these words for what they are… merely a way for me to be a father first and foremost and not a businessman.

Tenn… my oldest son… you will never really know the pride you have brought to me. You may not be the exact chip off the old block I had envisioned, but you have surpassed what I could have ever hoped for in a son. You served our country in such a way as to humble me, and you gave me a beautiful granddaughter who I hope is more like you than me any day of the week. I know my dreams aren’t your dreams, and so the one thing I want you to know… no matter what… you follow your heart.

Woolf… my youngest son… you are a chip off the old block, and it is in you that I pin all of my hopes and dreams for the future of our family. I know that may seem like a lot of pressure, but I have absolute faith and trust in your abilities. I know you may feel lost and afraid over everything that is facing you, but this is when you lean on your brother for support, and you surround yourself with good people to help you along the way.

Whatever you both decide to do, know that your mother and I will be looking down on both of you with love, pride, and complete satisfaction that we raised our children right.

Love,

Dad

My eyes mist up again as I read the letter. I’ve only read it about twenty times since I opened it a few days ago, and each time, the impact of his words momentarily stuns me. I guess I never gave my dad enough credit for being just a dad.

His words had such an impact on Woolf and me as we read them that we walked into the meeting with the investment bank, politely listened to what they had to say, and then just as politely declined their help. Neither one of us had a fucking clue what to do, but fueled by our father’s words, we knew we’d figure it out.

Casey gives a little sniffle, and I watch as she blinks back tears. She folds the letter up, puts it back in the envelope, and lays it down on the sand between her feet. Leaning forward, she turns her face and lays her cheek on her knees to look at me.

“What does that all mean?” she asks.

“It’s still complicated, and I’m still going to have to be involved somewhat in the family business, but it also means that I’m going to still pursue my dreams.”

“Would those dreams include me?” she asks hesitantly, and I can’t let her go another moment with any doubts.

Reaching out, I pull her over to me, lowering my legs to the sand and situating her on my lap so she straddles me. My hands go to her perfect face and kiss those perfect fucking lips.

“My dad said something really important in that letter,” I tell her. “He told Woolf to surround himself with good people.”

She nods, not really understanding.

“The main reason the corporate attorneys wanted us to consider going public was to alleviate management duties on us. It was just shifting the burden, so to speak.”

“Because they didn’t trust you and Woolf?” she asks.

I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe, but we understood that. We don’t have much business experience. But then we started thinking… let’s take Dad’s advice and bring in good people to help us rather than do it all ourselves. I mean, my dad did everything, sure, but that didn’t mean we had to.”

“So you’re going to hire people?”

“In a nutshell,” I tell her as my hands go to her lower back where I rub at her gently. “For each enterprise, we’re going to put a business manager and CFO in place, and they’ll report to Woolf and me. And we’ve talked Bob into coming on board with us full time to act as our personal attorney and advisor. He knows more about my dad’s business holdings and the way they operate than anyone does. Woolf is going to run the ranch himself though. That’s where his passion is and he’s got a good grasp on it.”

“What about you? What’s your role?” she asks, and I don’t miss a slight tone of fear in her voice.

“I’m going to help Woolf oversee things, but if you’ll still have me, I’m going to do it remotely from here. When I get things settled down, I’m going to open the bike shop. But I think… for the first year or so, I’m going to have to travel back and forth quite a bit. Live there part of the time.”

Casey starts worrying at her lower lip, lowering her eyes shyly. When she finally raises them, I see a hint of determination though. “And what about us? Will this be a long-distance type thing?”

I smile at her, leaning forward to give her a quick kiss. “Did you not hear the part where I said I’m not going another three minutes without you by my side?”

She nods, her eyes hopeful yet still guarded. “Spell it out for me.”

“It means I want you by my side, whether it’s here in Nags Head or in Wyoming. I’m not going to be separated from you, and if you don’t want to live in Wyoming, then I’ll just tell Woolf he’s going to have to go it alone from the start. I mean it, Casey… you are far more important to me than the Jennings fortune. I’m not giving you up.”

“I’ll go,” she says quickly and throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tight. “Wherever you go, I’m there.”

“It’s only temporary,” I assure her as I squeeze her to me. “Our real home will be here.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she says softly with her lips near my ear. “As long as I’m with you.”

“God, I love you so much,” I tell her and don’t give her a chance to reciprocate because I kiss her hard and deep, sealing her promise to stay by my side.

She pushes back on me, causing my lips to falter. When I stare into her earnest eyes, she says, “I love you, Tenn. And I am so thankful for you because I would have never known this feeling if it weren’t for you. You’ve taught me so much… shown me so much. My eyes have never been as wide open as they are right now, and my heart has never felt this damn good in my entire life. You are my everything, and I would follow you to the ends of the earth.”

My throat turns dry and something pricks at my eyes, but I manage to croak out. “Baby… going to make you so fucking happy.”

She gives me that bright, Casey Markham smile, and leans in to press her lips against my neck.

“Going to marry you too,” I tell her boldly, expecting that might shock the shit out of her. Instead, I can feel her smile against my skin.

“And I wouldn’t be averse to knocking you up quickly with a kid or two,” I press forward, and she actually moans against my neck.