Free A Silken Thread by Brenda Jackson

Mr. Brown handed to him. He figured the partners were going all out just for a good showing in the charity drive.
    “Do you know why we invited you here today, Brian?”
    He met Talbert Brown’s deep blue eyes. “I assume it’s to celebrate the money we raised for the Leukemia Foundation drive.”
    Minor Samuels chuckled. “There is a reason to celebrate that, too, but that’s not why you’re here.”
    Brian lifted a brow. “It’s not?”
    Talbert leaned against his desk. “Your father worked hard for this firm and it saddened us to remove his name as partner when he passed away.”
    Brian remembered his father working for the firm. According to his mother he’d become employed with them right after college. He’d been partner for five years when he died.
    “Minor and I worked right alongside of him and the three of us made partners the same time under my father’s leadership.” A sad smile touched his lips before he added, “We went out to celebrate the following weekend and it was one of the last times we had a chance to really party together on the town. After that we spent every waking moment working our butts off.”
    Brian wondered why they were telling him all of this now. Evidently that question was reflected in his gaze, because Talbert then said, “You’ve been doing a fine job for us, Brian, one that we are proud of, one that your father would be proud of. So it seems right that you should take his place in this firm.”
    Brian wasn’t sure he was hearing correctly. Were they saying what he thought they were saying?
    “Yes, that’s what we’re saying,” Talbert said, as if he was reading his mind again. “And it’s not that we think we owe you anything because of your father, son. It’s because you’ve earned a place here. Effective Monday, this firm will become Brown, Samuels and Lawson.”
    The words sent instant shudders through Brian and he stared at the two men in disbelief. He hadn’t expected to be considered for partner for a couple more years down the road. There were others who’d been working at the firm longer than he had.
    “That’s not all, Brian.”
    He blinked. “It’s not?”
    “No. We have more good news to share,” Talbert said, beaming.
    Brian wasn’t sure he could handle any more good news. “You do?”
    “Yes. Your father became partner on your tenth birthday. I can remember it clearly because we couldn’t celebrate that day because he had to leave to cohost your party. One of the perks of becoming partner is the firm’s trust fund that can be set up for family members. Well, your father established one in your name with a twenty-year maturity date.”
    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