The Missing Heir(21)
“I’m in a custody battle with Roth Calvin. He’s a vice president at Coast Eagle and Samuel’s stated choice for guardian.”
“I’d heard that much.”
“Coco named me as guardian, and I won on a technicality, but Roth’s fighting it.”
“Is Roth close to Zachary?”
Amber pulled two hunter-green stoneware mugs out of a side cupboard. “Roth’s close to Coast Eagle. You were right last night in the car. The person who controls Zachary ultimately controls the company.”
“So you can get me my Pacific routes.” Now that Cole had thought it through, he realized the cover story was perfect. It gave him an excuse to ask all kinds of questions without anybody growing suspicious.
“I have no intention of micromanaging Coast Eagle.”
“We had a fight last night, didn’t we?” Cole had become so focused on the shoes, and then the dog, and then on Zachary, he’d forgotten she’d left the car mad at him.
“You call that a fight?”
“I believe I questioned your commitment to Zachary’s inheritance.”
“My commitment is to Zachary. I want the company to stay healthy for him, sure. But I can tell when I’m not the smartest person in the room. There are a lot of committed, hardworking managers and employees at Coast Eagle. They need to continue running the company.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.”
“I’m an assistant director, Cole.”
He liked it when she said his name. “You’re responsible for the well-being of the company owner.”
Her gaze rested on Zachary, and her tone went soft. “Poor thing.”
“Poor little rich boy?” It came out more sarcastic than Cole had intended.
“I honestly wish he’d inherited a whole lot less. That way nobody would fight me for him.”
“So you’re afraid you might lose?”
Her expression faltered, and she focused on pouring the freshly brewed coffee. “I try not to think about it.” She turned back with both cups in her hands. “I can’t believe you got him to sleep.”
“I’m just sitting here breathing. You wore him out.”
“Maybe he likes the sound of your voice.”
“Maybe,” Cole agreed.
Cole didn’t like to think Zachary’s behavior had anything to do with the genetic connection. But Cole supposed it was possible he sounded like Samuel. Maybe Zachary was subconsciously picking it up.
“You can probably get away with putting him down in his bed,” said Amber.
“He’s fine here.”
Oddly, Cole didn’t want to put Zachary down, at least not right away. This vulnerable little baby was his brother. And for some reason, the kid had instantly trusted him. Cole was suddenly acutely aware that there were two of them in the world. He could not have imagined how that would make him feel.