Page 67 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“They still hate me,” he snapped.

“Healing doesn’t happen overnight.But if you keep this from them… I’m not sure any of you will ever heal.”

“I’ll be dead by then.Problem solved.”

“You think it’s that easy?What if it were Lily?”

“Watch yourself.”

“If I have to bring her into this to make you understand, then I will, because it’s what she’d want.If she passed, and you didn’t know she was sick, she kept it from you, how would you feel?”

“She would never have kept a secret from me.”

“But what if she did?”

“I’d be furious.”His face reddened, then dimmed as understanding flashed in his eyes.“Oh.”

“Exactly.Your family is already mad at you, but you keep this from them, you’re leaving them with a loose end they’ll never be able to tie.That’s not okay.”

Bill pinched the bridge of his nose.“I’ll talk to them at dinner tonight.”

“Are you just saying that to get me out of your office?”

“No, damn it.”He put the paper down and met Carter’s gaze.“You have my word.I’ll talk to them at dinner.”

Relief flooded through Carter.He’d only have a few more hours of holding onto this secret, then he and Ashley would have a completely clean slate.

“Good.”

Carter about-faced toward the door when Bill called out to him.He stopped and turned back.

“I expect you there.”

“Why?”

“Because if the shit hits the fan, I need someone on neutral ground to get control of the sinking ship.”

“And you think I can what?Rally the Wetherbys?Have you met your family?Not to mention, I think most of them hate me.”

“Maybe Gabe, but that’s just because he doesn’t like the fact that I trust you more than him.”

“He said that?”Carter asked.

“He doesn’t have to.”Bill waved his hand as if he was done with the conversation.“I’ll see you tonight.Then you can tell the staff.”

“Me?”Carter exclaimed.

“They like you better.”

“Sir, that’s ridiculous.You’re their boss.”

“And you’re their friend.”

“A lot of them consider you their friend as well.”

A slight smile tugged at the corner of the old man’s mouth.“Even more of a reason as to why you should tell them.”He saluted Carter, and he knew there was no use trying to argue.

He walked out of Bill’s office, hoping this news would bring the Wetherbys and the staff closer together, but not holding his breath.