A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [25]
Minor then picked up the conversation. “Patrick was a smart man because it matured the year you decided to get married. Extra money will definitely come in handy now, don’t you think?”
Brian nodded in agreement. “Yes, sir, it definitely will.” He wasn’t sure how much money they were talking about, but just the thought that his father had had the foresight to do something like that touched him deeply.
Over the years he’d enjoyed the finer things in life but had always looked out for his future, cultivating a really nice nest egg. He’d made several good investment choices and his money had been kept safe and secure even during the Wall Street fiasco. Many would be surprised to know just how solid his financial portfolio looked.
Minor reached behind him to retrieve an envelope off his desk. “Here you are.”
Brian accepted the sealed envelope and nervously tore it open. He stared at it and then blinked, not believing what he saw. It took a minute to catch his breath and another minute to stop the erratic beating of his heart. He slowly glanced up at the two men in shock. “This is mine?” he asked in an incredulous tone.
“Yes, it’s yours from your father and the continued success of this firm, which you’ve helped make possible. Every year that the company made a profit, a percentage of it was matched against the amount that was held in trust. “
Brian was speechless. Still standing—but barely—he stared down at the check. He glanced up and asked, “Did my mother know about this?”
“Yes, she knew, and as your guardian she could have taken the funds out at any time. However, she chose to let it remain in trust until maturity.”
Brian drew in a deep breath and glanced back down at the check. Thanks to Mr. Brown and Mr. Samuels he had become a partner in the firm. And thanks to his father and his mother, he’d become a millionaire.
She quickly clicked over to the other line. “Brian?”
“Yes, baby?”
“You’re calling early tonight. What’s up?” she asked, sitting up in bed.
“Can you come out this weekend if I were to send for you?”
She pushed her hair behind her head. They hadn’t seen each other since the engagement party two weeks ago. And then they had been surrounded by so much family they hadn’t had a chance to spend a lot of time together alone.
She smiled as she eased back down in bed. “Are you missing me?”
“I’m always missing you, baby. I can’t wait until you’re here with me permanently.”
She couldn’t wait until she was there with him, too.
“But there’s also another reason I want you here.”
She lifted a brow. “And what reason is that?” It was then that she noticed something in his voice. It was still deep, husky and sexy, but she also detected something else. Excitement maybe?
“I made partner today.”
Erica jerked upward, nearly dropping the phone out of her hand. “What? But you figured it would be another couple of years before you’d be considered for that. And that there were so many other attorneys ahead of you.”
“Well, today Mr. Brown and Mr. Samuels informed me that I was their choice, and more than anything I want you here this weekend to celebrate with me.”
Erica drew in a deep breath and fought back tears. She was so proud of him. From the time she’d met Brian she’d been aware of what a fantastic attorney he was. He worked hard and was deserving of whatever achievements came his way.
“I can’t imagine being anywhere else this weekend other than there helping you celebrate. And you don’t have to send for me. I can pay for my own ticket.”
“I know, but I want to. I’ll call you tomorrow with all the flight details.”
“Okay.”
As she cuddled in bed she knew when she saw him again, she would show him just how proud she was of him.
An hour or so later Brian hung up the phone from talking to Erica. He chuckled. She had fallen asleep on the phone after he’d sung her a lullaby. He headed for the study to read a few case files he’d brought home.
He had intentionally not mentioned anything to Erica about his trust fund