Leave it for the Rain: A Love She Couldn't Remember—A Woman He Couldn't Forget (Grayson Brothers Book 6) Read Free Page A

Crane—before emptying into the bay and flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean. The twin rivers brought goods and trade and power, and carried the huge timbers that were sawed at the Grayson mill and used in the merchant vessels built by Crane.
    Elias, his twin brother Ezra, and their elder brother Dawson were the surviving sons of George Crane. The twins had mansions on the bucolic shore of Crane Landing where the river met the bay. Dawson lived in a modest home a short walk upriver where he, his dog Tuck and a cat named Sir John kept each other company.
    At age fifty-five Dawson still hadn’t married or sired children and was considered eccentric by some of the townsfolk. Ezra had given their father George Crane granddaughters, but it was Elias who had provided the one and only grandson—Micah George Crane—to carry on the Crane name. That son had nearly died— may have died—today.
    Adam’s gut knotted as he and Leo followed the groomed driveway lit by ornate gas lanterns mounted on decorative wrought iron posts. A column of tall maple trees formed a canopy above their heads and shaded a board and batten carriage house to the right of the drive. The sprawling mansion, accented by large round-top windows and a deep veranda supported by tall columns, rose up before them like a majestic ship approaching the harbor.
    Together Leo and Adam stepped into Crane’s plush foyer of mahogany paneled walls and thick velvet draperies. They were immediately greeted by Elias Crane himself. The stately sandy-haired man steered them directly to his library of floor-to-ceiling book shelves and heavy leather furniture positioned around a massive stone fireplace. As Elias reached for a crystal decanter, Adam couldn’t help wondering if the man would be offering a beverage in celebration... or bereavement.
    Wondering, worrying, Adam’s gut churned. Exhausted from a long day of work and his struggle beneath the frigid Atlantic waters, his need for resolution killed his sense of etiquette. He couldn’t wait for a drink. He couldn’t wait another painful second. “Your son, sir... is he... did he survive?”
    Tanned and lightly freckled from his life of sailing and building ships, Elias arched an eyebrow, creasing his forehead. “Thanks to you, Adam, my son is in his bed resting and recovering. He needed a few sutures to close the gash beneath his chin, but a hot bath and a dose of laudanum from Doc Samuel have eased his complaints.”
    Adam’s relief was so great, everything after that moment took on a dreamlike feel, as if he were still submersed in the cold Atlantic water, floating and wrapped in the sound of the ocean.
    They celebrated with Crane’s best whiskey served in Waterford crystal glasses. Mrs. Crane, elegantly dressed in rose satin, appeared shaky and tearful as she entered the library to thank Adam and Leo for saving their son. Together the Cranes bestowed gifts of gratitude. To Leo, Elias Crane awarded the new title of Quality and Safety Foreman along with a significant increase in Leo’s wage. He scheduled a meeting with Leo to discuss improving safety for all workers at Crane and Grayson.
    To Adam, Elias Crane said, “I know you’re a partner with your dad and uncles at their mill in Fredonia, and I wouldn’t want to swindle them out of an industrious partner, but I need to make it clear that you could have a bright future here, Adam. We need men of your caliber to run our operations. You could easily step into a management position on the mill side of our business. With another year or two of apprenticing on the shipping side, you could attain a similar position in that part of our business. I suspect you’ll want to return to Fredonia, but should you decide to stay on at Crane Landing you and your bride could begin your married life in the house up the road. Cecily’s Cottage is yours, Adam. It’s the only way I know how to thank you for saving my son.”
    Elias Crane’s words and generosity overwhelmed