Love On The Brazos (2 page)

* * *

Some of Jordan’s father’s communications ability had returned.  He appeared to know what was said but had a hard time speaking or putting thoughts into words.  As a result, his responses were slow, stop and start expressions.  They were very frustrating to him, and tears would appear in his eyes as a result of this handicap.  At Tirr, he was getting one on one speech therapy daily as well as physical therapy.  His mobility was extremely limited as was the use of his left arm and leg.

Jordan visited him daily after his therapy and on one of her visits decided to tell him her plans.  She said, “Dad, I’m going to move back to Houston.  I want to help in the business and help Mom.  She’s having a hard time too.”

“Your ca…car…car…eer”

Speaking very slowly, she said, “Dad, you know since I was a little girl I loved to go to work with you.  I know the company.  I’m educated in the field, and I want to help.  It’s going to be mine someday, and I might as well get started.  When you finish your therapy, then we can continue to work together.”

With tears in his eyes, he said, “Ha… Ha… nk?”

“Hank is a jerk.  He wants to plan my life and wants me to stay in Dallas.  Dad, I have a dream, and that is to work with you.  If Hank wants to be part of my dream, then he will have to live in Houston.”

* * *

Jordan called her employer in Dallas and set up a meeting the next day.  She called Hank and said, “I’m flying up this afternoon. Can you pick me up at Love Field?  I will be there at 4:00PM.”

“Honey, I would love to, but I’m in Fort Worth on a job and can’t get away.  Can you get a cab?”

“Yeah, I’ll take a cab.  See you this evening.”

“It’s great to have you back.  I’ve missed you.”

They broke the phone connection.

That evening, they went out to dinner.  After they returned to their apartment, she said, “We need to talk.”

“Okay.  What’s on your mind?”

“I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow morning.  I’m submitting my resignation.”

“You’re what?  You can’t do that.  What are you doing?”

“I’m moving back to Houston, and I am going to run the business until Dad can get back to work, and then I’m going to work with him, just like I have always dreamed.”

“Honey, you’re wasting your talent and future if you do that.  That little business is no match for your education and ability.”

“That
little business
as you call it is the family business.  It is doing quite well right now and you know working with my dad has always been my dream, and now I’m going to live it.”

“You’re not making sense here honey.  What about us?  Our wedding?  Are you just going to throw that away?”

“Hank, there are any number of places in Houston you could work.  With your education, you could write your own ticket.  Your company has offices in Houston.  You could relocate there.”

“Dallas is our headquarters and headquarters is where I belong.  I’m not moving to Houston.”

“Well, I am.  I will be packed and out of here tomorrow or the next day.”

“If that’s the way you want it, I guess that’s it.  I think you’re making a big mistake and one you’ll regret.”

“I guess we’ve made a decision then.”

They sat quietly for some time.  Hank finally stood and said, “It’s late.  I’m going to bed.  Are you coming?”

“No, not for a while.”  She sat there, pondering the enormity of what had just transpired.  Her engagement was off. 
“I guess I didn’t mean as much to him as I thought,” she said to herself.  “I’ll show him how wrong he is.  He’s the one making a big mistake.” 
In her mind, she had known this would be her decision as soon as her father had the stroke.  She also knew what Hank’s decision would be.  It hurt.  She had loved him and had wanted to be his wife.  She went to the guest bedroom and after tossing and turning, she finally fell asleep.

The next morning, Jordan went to her office and met with her boss.  He was aghast when she told him she was resigning and why.  “I really hate to lose you Jordan.  You have a bright future.  I totally understand what you are going through.  If you change your mind, just give me a call.  We’ll have a place for you.  Good luck and please keep in touch.”

“Thank you for understanding.  This was and is very difficult for me, but I have always dreamed of working with Dad, and this is my chance and he needs me.”  With that, she turned, cleaned out her desk and left.

She and Hank were renting a furnished apartment so she just had to pack her personal things.  After two hours, her car was packed, and she was ready to leave.  It was too early for Hank to be home, so she sent him a text message, saying simply, “I’m sorry.”  She removed her engagement ring, placed it in an envelope, placed it on the kitchen counter, and set out for Sugar Land and Houston.  She stayed close to the speed limit and stopped in Centerville and had a Subway sandwich and a coke.  She began the rest of the drive, looking forward to getting home again.  She had spoken with her mother and told her what time to expect her.  She also asked about her Dad, but there was no news to report.

She arrived in Sugar Land at 9:30, just before her mother came in from the hospital.  Her mother helped her unload the car and asked, “Have you eaten?” 

“I had a sandwich about six.  I’m fine.”

“What did Hank say when you told him what you were doing?”

“He told me “That little business is a waste of your talent.  He asked if I was just going to throw our wedding and plans away.  I suggested there was any number of companies in Houston that would be happy to have him.  His company even has offices here.  He said he wasn’t moving to Houston, and that was that.  Then he said, “If this was what I wanted, that’s it.  He didn’t seem upset or anything.  He said I was making a big mistake.  Mom, do you think I’m the one making a big mistake?”

“I don’t know, Jordy.  I think he’s right, in you’d have a bright future there, but I think you have a bright future anywhere you are.  I know you’ve always dreamed about working with your Dad though.  Whether he’ll admit it or not, he needs you.”
 

One year later…

             
Jordan Carlyle has been back home for a year.  She runs Carlyle Construction Company now.  Her dad, Jim is no longer going to rehab and has recovered some mobility; he’s able to walk with a cane, though not for great distances.  His right arm is basically useless.  He has to lift it with the left in order to move it around.  The doctors tell him eventually some of the functions may return, but it will never be fully functional.  He readily understands what is said to him and his speech is somewhat halting, but he can communicate.  Jim is embarrassed by his condition.  Jordy is on his case about being embarrassed when he shows his frustration in public.  Jim goes to the office with Jordy three or four times a week.  He is unable to drive, another embarrassment for him.  He occasionally accompanies Jordy to job sites.  He has been teaching Jordy the financial side of the construction business.  He is amazed at how quickly she picks it up.  He thinks she could completely run the business but hasn’t told her so.  He is reluctant to turn loose of the reins completely.

Jordy has progressed to the point she works with her dad in generating bids.  On her own; she has bid and won several contracts in the past year.  With the bids they’ve made and won together, Carlyle Construction is doing very well.  Jordan has suggested they look into the development business themselves instead of joint participation with other contractors.  Jim is not sure they are ready for such a move.

One Sunday after church, they had lunch at a small restaurant in Sugar Land.  After lunch, Jordy was driving and said, “Are you guys up for a short ride?”  “Sure,” her mother said, “how about you, Jim?”

“The Texans are on TV, and I want to see it.”

“Come on Dad.  Aren’t they playing in Denver?  It doesn’t start until three.  I want to show you something.”

Jordy has always been able to talk her dad into anything, but he didn’t give in gracefully.  “Well I guess if you get me home in time for the Texans.”

“Like it’s going to kill you to miss a quarter of the action.”  She drove past Pecan Grove on US90, turned south and into a wooded area that bordered on the Brazos River.  She stopped under a tree and said, “I want to show you something.  Mom, hand me my iPad, please.”  She brought up Google Earth and zoomed in on the area where they were parked.  She got out of the car and said, “Come on, Mom, Dad and look.”

They got out of the car, and she placed the iPad and said, “Okay.  We’re here.”  She pointed to an area and zoomed in to show more detail.  “Now look around.”  They dutifully did so.  “Isn’t this gorgeous?  Dad, just think, we could create a sub-division here.  I would call it Carlyle Estates.  Build houses say, $300k up.  Grand Parkway is just over there.”  She zoomed out to show it.  “Southwest Freeway is right here.  Constellation Field is right here.  Dad, this area is ripe for development.  It is going to explode with growth.  We could put up a couple of model homes, open an office and start selling.  What do you think?”

“Where do you plan to get the money for all this, honey?”

“Investors Dad.  Investors.  I’m sure we could get some of the other contractors involved in it.”

“Who would you get to design it, the roads and all the infrastructure?”

“Dad, this is what you sent me to A&M to study.  This is my field.  This is what I did in Dallas after I graduated.”

“I don’t know, Jordy.  This may be too big for us.”  She knew in an instant she had him.

Jordy was so excited she could hardly stand it.  She was on cloud nine.  Her next move was to take an option on the land.

“Jordy, do you have any idea what our financial situation is?”

Jordy adopted a worried expression as she answered, “No, just what Mom told me when you had the stroke.  Other than that, no clue.  I just assumed we were well off.  I’ve never heard you worry aloud about anything.  It just seemed to be there.  What are you trying to tell me, Dad?  Have I let my imagination run beyond reality?” 

* * *

“Marian, Jordy doesn’t have a clue about our financial situation, and what we stand to inherit from our parents, and what will someday be hers,” Jim said.  “Do you think we should tell her?  She thinks she may have overstepped her bounds with this idea.  I was stunned at what she has worked up.  It could be a fantastic opportunity.”

“I think we should tell her on general terms.  It’s going to be hers anyway.”

“Okay, we’ll do it ‘in the neighborhood of’ vein.”

* * *

“Jordy, can you come into the living room please?”

Jordan came in and sat next to her mother on the sofa “Jordy,” her father, began, noting the worried expression on his lovely daughter’s face.  “You didn’t overstep your bounds.  You simply blew me away with what you were suggesting.  I greatly underestimated you.  It won’t happen again.  I am extremely proud of you and I want to put your mind at rest.  The old phrase people used about their financial status was, “We’re comfortable.”  We are blessed in that we’re more than comfortable.  If your mother and I were taken tomorrow, you would inherit well over twenty million, maybe even thirty.  In addition, you’re mentioned in both your grandparents' wills.  You stand to be a very wealthy young woman.  Most of it is in safe investments.”

“Honey, what your dad is trying to say is we’re rich to use a rather crude term.”

The worried expression had been replaced by one of relief.  “Mom, Daddy, I would never think of risking any of your money.  I want to do this on my own.  I would just like to have your blessing.  I want to meet with other construction companies and get their buy in.  I want to meet with the investment people and get their involvement in the infrastructure.  First, though, I need to get an option on the land.  The owner may not want to sell it.”

“I know him honey, and he will not sell it.”

She had a disappointed look now.  “Honey, that land is owned by your grandfather.”

“Papaw owns that?”

“Yes he does.”

“Wonder if he would consider a long-term lease?”

“Knowing you, this is a silly question, but I’m going to ask it anyway.  Do you have any drawings or anything on paper?”

“Yes I do.”

She jumped up and hurried into her bedroom and came back with a large drawing of the acreage she had been talking about.  It hadn’t been platted yet, but she had drawn in proposed streets and such.  “This is very rough, but I think we could get a thousand homes in there.”  She laid it out on the coffee table.  Once more she had surprised her father.

“Tell you what Darlin’, why don’t you and I drive out and talk with your papaw tomorrow morning?”

“Would you?  Daddy, you’re the best.  You too Mom.  I’m a lucky girl; not everyone has parents as good as you two.”

“Darlin’, you make your own luck.”

She left the room and went into the kitchen.  “Can I get you guys anything?” she called out.

“Doesn’t she just beat all?” Jim said to his wife.

“I think we did a few things right, don’t you?”

“She’s special all right, Jim said.  Her grandpa is going to be blown away just as I was.”

* * *

After the hugs and handshakes were over, Jordan said, “Papaw, can I talk business with you?”

“Goodness, child, a girl as pretty as you shouldn’t be thinking about business.  You should be thinking about which boy to give your heart to.”

“Papaw, I’m serious.”

“Dad, I think you should listen to her.  She might surprise you.”

“Okay, I’m listening.”

She opened her iPad and showed him the locations she had identified to her parents after church the day before.  I think that would be a great location for an upscale housing project.  I didn’t know when I looked at it, but Dad says you own the property.”

“I reckon I do.  That property has been in the family for years.  What about it?”

Jordy unrolled the plan she showed her mother and Dad the night before.  She oriented it according to Highway 59 and explained to her grandfather her idea.  She pointed out a county road and said, “The entrance would be here off FM1875.  This is a rough sketch of my idea.  We could get 1000 homes in this area, and price them at $350,000 up.  I would think the river front homes would be over $1 million.  This is the way I would lay it out.

I would invite three or four other contractors to participate in the project, and we would sell them home sites, probably 100 each.  No tract homes, all custom built.  I would look for investors to underwrite the cost of the infrastructure, streets, utilities and such.  What I would like to do is take an option on the land.  What do you think, Papaw?”

“Well, I don’t know.  I haven’t been looking to sell the property, so I’d have to give it some thought.”

“Okay, Papaw.  Thanks for listening.  I’ll keep on looking then.  Where’s grandmama?”

“She’s out back somewhere, probably tending to her roses.”

“I’ll go tell her hello, and then I’ve got to get back to work.  Dad, are you going to the meeting with the subs this afternoon with me?”

“I’d like to if you don’t mind.”

“Mind, come on Dad.  It’s your company.  Of course I don’t mind.”  She turned toward the kitchen and went out the back door.

* * *

“Jim, where in the world did she come from?  Is this our little Jordy that used to sit on my lap?”

“One and the same, Pop.  I’m basically letting her run the business, and she’s doing a lot better job than I was.  She keeps the subs in line and on schedule.  She doesn’t tolerate poor performance.”

“What do you think about this idea of hers?  It sure sounds like a big deal.”

“It is a big deal, Dad, Houston is growing this direction.  All of these people are going to need more houses, and she picked this location.  I don’t know how she got onto it, but she had no idea it was yours until I told her last night.  She’s prepared to keep on searching if this doesn’t work.  She told me she doesn’t want to use our money.  She wants to use other people’s money.  She is incredible.  She graduated at the top of her class at A&M.  She had some great job offers after college and was working in Dallas until I had the stroke.  She resigned, and came home.  She told her mother working with me had always been her dream, and now she’s living it.  And doing a hell of a job at it too.”

“Damn, I guess we should tell her to go for it.  I was going to leave the land to her anyway.  Don’t tell her that yet, though.”

Jordy came back into the house following her grandmother.  “Jim, why didn’t you tell me you were coming out?  Where’s Marian?”

Jim had stood and was hugging his Mom.  “She had a meeting of some sort this morning, and since this was business, she went ahead to her meeting.  We’ll try to come back after church Sunday.”

“What kind of business?”

“Jordy didn’t tell you?”

“No, we just talked about how you’re doing and when she’s going to give me some grandbabies.”

“Grandmama, don’t you think I should get married first?”

“I would hope so.  Any prospects?”

“No, not right now.”

“Your clock is ticking, honey.”

“I know, Grandmama, but it has to be right.”

“Jordy, why don’t you just go ahead with your project and when you need me to sign something, let me know.”

“Papaw, you mean it?”

“Of course I mean it.  I’m too old to be saying things I don’t mean.”