All I Need: Rod & Daisy (All Of Me Duet Book 2) A.D. Justice (short novels to read TXT) 📖

us both, and I’d like to get your input and blessing to move forward.”

I steeple my hands in front of my face and wait for the shock to wear off.

“In that case, I’m all ears. You have my undivided attention.” She leans back in her chair and narrows her eyes.

“A few weeks ago, an idea popped into my head that I haven’t been able to shake. So I put pen to paper, so to speak, and created an entire business case around it. My excursion last night gave me the final-touch idea this plan needed to pull all the pieces together. I’ve been working on it all day. Your reaction and opinion will make or break this venture, so I’m asking for your honest feedback, no matter what it is.”

“Tell me. I’m on the edge of my seat here.”

“I've turned the reins of my company over to Kevin—completely. I’ll remain on the board of directors, but the day-to-day operations are no longer my responsibility. Instead, I’d like to start a non-profit organization that will expand your summer camp venture into a year-round endeavor. We can include food, housing, on-the-job training, and paid internships to the participants.

“Also, I reached out to a few of my close business contacts and shared the vision with them. They’re all in, willing to help fund the outreach program. Some have offered to start chapters in their own states, under our leadership. You won’t have to struggle with getting corporate sponsors anymore. If you agree to this plan, I’d like to start rebuilding my old neighborhood immediately as a way to offer housing to help families get back on their feet, beginning with the man who helped set me on the right path.”

Her mouth hangs open, tears swim in her eyes, and her hands shake as she takes the entire business case packet from me.

“Take your time to read over that. I tried to capture everything you normally include, but you’re much closer to the needs of this program than I am. I’ll give you a few minutes alone to start going over it while I go check on the kids.” Before I leave the room, I place a kiss on her cheek and wipe away an errant tear that escaped from her eye.

She grabs my arm and stops me before I take a step.

“Rod, this is an incredible surprise. I’m nearly speechless over how much thought and time you’ve given this. Just one question before you leave the office though.”

“Anything, my love. Just ask.”

“Is this company name negotiable?” She cuts her eyes up at me and attempts to hide the smile playing on her lips.

“No, I’m sorry, but that is the only part of the entire deal I won’t bend on. It’s important to me.”

She looks back down at my proposal. “Rod… you’ve named a charity outreach venture My Heart of Stone.”

“Exactly. The acronym is ma-hoes.”

She jerks her head up to meet my gaze head on. “Beg your pardon?”

“M-H-O-S. Mahoes.” I shrug, holding my palms up in the air, feigning innocence. “What’s wrong with that? My last name is Stone. You are my heart. I named the organization with you in mind.”

“Oh, God. Now that name will be on legal documents for all time.”

Indeed, it will.

Before I’ve finished asking the children about their day, Daisy joins us in the kitchen, business proposal in hand. She walks straight into my arms and presses her lips to mine.

“I love this idea. I love that you’ve put so much thought into it. I love that you’re making this a reality. But most of all, I love you. Let’s do this together. I’ve wondered how I’ll be able to do anything this summer since I’ll be a little busy after the delivery. You’ve changing the world with what’s in these few pages.”

“You’ve changed the world—my world. This is all because of you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Daisy

Landen and I have been staying at Rod’s house the last several nights. Juliana was released from the hospital, but she’s still very weak and doesn’t feel much like eating. Forcing soup down her throat is harder than convincing the kids they need baths every night. Not that I blame her. She’s constantly nauseous, and that doesn’t bode well for her when food is added to the mix. But, because they need all the help they can get right now, I’m happy to pitch in however I can.

After getting Landen and Isa dressed, I send them down to have breakfast before we leave. My phone rings, and as soon as I see the name on the screen, I know I’m in trouble. I plop down on the bed and answer.

“I know. I’m the worst best friend in the world. We haven’t been out together in forever. We haven’t hung out in our pajamas and stayed up all night talking about boys and books. We haven’t bitched and complained about our jobs. I’m sorry.”

“The only way that could’ve been better is if you’d ended that speech with a day and time you planned to rectify your egregious oversight.” Her deadpan reply makes me laugh out loud.

“When can you get away and stay at Rod’s so we can include Juliana? She needs some girl time too.”

“Tonight. I can be there as soon as I leave the office today.”

“Deal. Rod can take care of the kids while you and I look after Jules. Just a heads up, but I don’t expect her to last all night. She sleeps a lot because of the medication, and hopefully that helps her body heal. We’ll be in and out of her room tonight.”

“We’ll make sure the time she’s able to spend with us is quality girl-talk time then.”

“How are you and Kevin doing? It feels like we haven’t caught up in forever.” Life has a way of changing on a dime and stealing our plans out from under us, even when we have the best of intentions. I’m looking forward to spending time with my bestie tonight and making up