Chapter 2

JJ—I may not have been Leslie’s soulmate as Kim had so often reminded me she was, but I did love him more than any man or woman I ever knew. But someone had to be strong and handle everything. I took charge, Kim was not in any shape to make a decision. I handled telling Gio, the funeral arrangements everything. But at night I just could not be alone. I moved in with Kim and Gio. I had not planned on it but it happened. I talked to Gio about it and he did not have a problem, so I stayed.

It took almost a month for things to get back to normal. I talked Kim into letting Sally run the concrete and hauling business and her to take over Leslie’s office in the reception center. That put us in the same car riding to work each morning and home each evening. At least we were in the same building all day and I could check on her. We were having lunch one day when I got a call that I had visitors waiting for me in my office. I was not expecting anyone, but it sounded important, so I left Kim sitting at a table with one of my salesgirls and went to check on my visitors. When I got to my office I was told they were waiting for me in the conference room. I opened the door and boy was I surprised.

There sat Captain Jack O’Shea, his two wives, Ginger and Becky, and Robert O’Shea, owner of O’Shea Investigations and Jason, one of his agents, John, Molly and their two daughters, Dove, Peg and their husband Joe.

“Please take a seat,” said Captain Jack.

“Is there some problem? The loan is completely repaid and I think...”

“This is not a business meeting. It is more of a personal meeting. Robert please start.”

I watched as Robert O’Shea stood. “This is going to come as a shock to you so please take a seat.”