Page 37 of Not Home Alone

Upon first glance, this proposal does look good on paper. The financials tell a nice story. But the subtext is that he’s forcing my hand. Again. And while expansion would, of course, be good for the company, it would be bad for Holly Grove. That goes without question.

“If you’ve all had time to look through the packet, I’d like to put it to a vote.”

Ava, Todd, and the three outside directors on the board all nod. I lock eyes with Vernon Finch, Wyatt’s father. His expression is almost apologetic. But he looks away. He does represent the legal interests of the company and my father, first and foremost. But he knows this is a bad idea, I know he does. And so does Wyatt, that’s why he called me.

“Excellent,” my father says. “All those in favor of approving the relocation of The Moody Group headquarters to New York City and the proposed national expansion plan, say aye.”

My goofball brother taps at his phone and, suddenly, Sinatra is encouraging everyone to start spreading the news through a tiny speaker. My dad rolls his eyes, but waits until Frank has crooned the words “New York, New York,” before telling Todd to turn it off. “Aye from me,” my father says.

Everyone around the table says “aye,” including my siblings, whose only interest in national expansion, I am positive, involves trips to Manhattan that are a tax write-off and a larger trust fund for their children. Like I said, my nephews and nieces are cute. But this will not be good for their hometown.

“Grant?” my father says, expectantly. “What do you say?”

Staring down at the growth projections, I’m aware that if I vote no, I show my hand to the entire board. I don’t need their vote to approve me as CEO if I decide to take over because my dad appoints his successor directly, but I don’t want to create waves yet. Only, I can’t vote for this. I won’t. “I… abstain.”

“You abstain?”

“I need more time to review this proposal.”

“Right. The motion passes. We begin transition planning first thing in the new year. Unless I sell to an outside buyer.”

And that’s that.

Everyone empties out of the boardroom so fast you’d think there was a fire. But no. Apparently, I also missed the announcement earlier that Martha brought cookies and they’re out in the waiting room.

I stay in my seat, still reading through the documents in the packet.

Once only those of us with the last name Moody remain in the room, my father shuts the door. “You abstain? What was that all about?”

“I don’t think New York is the right move. What are you doing?”

“Either sweetening the pot or forcing your hand, depending on how you look at it. Either way, this is what’s best for the company. For my legacy. If you take over, that is. If not, I sell to Voss. He might choose to move HQ to Chicago; he might want to be based in New York too. It will be none of our business. Literally.”

“I’m not convinced New York is the right move when it is our business.”

“The board disagrees.”

“The board sees spreadsheets. I see what happens to this town if we extract value and leave.”

“The factory stays. Nobody will lose their job.”

“Ignore him, Daddy,” Ava says, tucking extra candy canes into her purse. “He’s just causing trouble. Nothing’s changed since he was five.”

“Same old rebel,” Todd says, patting me on the head. “He just traded his leather jacket for a suit.”

“You better be at the winery by five today,” Ava says to me as she and Todd leave. “To meet with the distributor. Don’t bring a date. Unless it’s Quinn.”

“I will be there, as long as Quinn won’t.” Glancing over my shoulder at her, I add, “I know I’m charming and sophisticated, but even I can’t help you sell the wine if people actually have to taste it.”

Ava flips me the bird, on principle, but we all know the local wine is mediocre at best. Our vineyard is a vanity project and a nice location for weddings.

“Close the door behind you,” my dad tells them. He paces back and forth, rubbing his forehead. “I don’t understand you. I thought the only thing keeping you from taking over the company was the thought of living in Holly Grove.”

“There are a number of factors. But I’m not convinced this is the right strategy. Holly Grove built this company.”

Tapping at his chest, he says, “I built this company.”

“You built it in Holly Grove because this is the perfect place for it. You want to move the leadership, the strategy, the decision-making? That’s the heart of the company. Holly Grove becomes just another charming factory town we happen to own.”