Page 73 of Accidentally Perfect
I don’t like the fact that Laney is speaking with her mother without my support. But it’s more important to make sure neither my father nor Diane is bothering her. I don’t need either of them confronting Laney, especially when the girls are so close by. I keep my eyes focused on her as I speak to a few clients about upcoming jobs and my expansion to the west coast. I have to admit, since Laney came into my life, it’s been more about spending time with her and the girls and less about Whitmore Assets. I may need to find someone capable of running that part of Whitmore Industries as well. I didn’t think my personal life would ever come before my dreams of where I wanted to be on a professional level. It's always been about making people notice me as a competent business man because I’m good at what I do, not because of my last name. If I didn’t feel so strongly about it, then I would have slid into the CEO chair of Whitmore Industries and continued on. But I wanted more out of my professional life. It’s funny how fast priorities can change.
Excusing myself from talking business, I find my sister a few feet away. “Great night, Nat. How is everything turning out?”
“I think we did well. We may have even surpassed last year’s total. The stories were really good weren’t they?”
“Yes, they were. I think it stirred something in Laney. She wants to help in some way.”
“That’s awesome, Nathan. I would love to work with her. What was she thinking?”
“I’m not sure, but I know what I’m thinking.”
“Should I be afraid to ask?”
“I don’t think so. You may even be proud of me.”
“All right, spill it.”
“Well, I think the Foundation needs to expand.”
“Like how?”
“I was thinking of starting something called Nathan’s House.”
“Nathan’s House?”
“Yeah, I think it’s time to use the land for something meaningful. I want to build a house, maybe more on the neighboring land and open it up for the kids in the foster system.”
“Like a big foster home. They have things like that, they’re called group homes, and many of the kids have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to them. Usually, kids are dumped in the group homes when the foster system doesn’t work out for them. You have to come up with something else.”
“No, I think I have the right idea. Building homes on the neighboring land, finding foster families with good records in the foster care system and allow them to live there, mortgage free. Not having that bill would give them an incentive to actually be positive influences in the children's lives. I want them to help the kids in the home, not hurt them. We can increase the equestrian area, teach riding, and make it so they feel like it’s an actual home with perks and privileges. They can have the normal childhoods they deserve. I’m sure between you, me, and Laney, we can make it happen.”
“That’s going to take a lot of money. More than what the Foundation makes in a season. We’re going to have to fundraise year round. This is going to be a lot bigger than what we have now, Nathan.
This is a full-time gig, not just a hobby.”
“That’s perfect. I think Laney would be on board with it. I think her need to help children is greater than her need to help her patients. I think this is her calling, Nat. I want to support her one hundred percent.”
“Well, count me in.”
“Good. Oh, how's the party planning coming along? I’m sorry I haven’t had the chance to get with you on it.”
“Oh please, the girls are going to love what you have planned. I was more than happy to make it happen. Everything is set. I just need the guests of honor to be here an hour early next Saturday.”
“I want the kids who were here tonight to be invited as well. I’m not sure how many other friends the girls have, but they seemed to have hit it off with these kids.. I think they would like to see them again.”
“Consider it done, brother of mine.”
