Crazy about Cameron: The Winslow Brothers #3(35)
“But Alex informed us you’ve found an alternative location? A vineyard?”
“That’s right,” Cameron said, pausing to ask the waiter to bring them a bottle of San Pellegrino. He turned back to Barrett. “Margaret Story owns a vineyard about an hour from here. I’m helping her renovate the winery in time for the wedding.”
“Well,” said Barrett, “that’s no small task. It’s only a few weeks away.”
“It’s amazing what you can do when price is no object.”
“No object?” Barrett’s shrewd blue eyes narrowed. “I wouldn’t think a vineyard was the sort of investment you’d pour money into. Don’t you boys run more with the financial crowd?”
“Actually,” said Cameron, “that’s what I’d like to talk to you about.”
Barrett sat back in his chair and looked at Cameron with interest. “A new investment opportunity?”
The Winslows and Englishes had just partnered on a successful shipping merger last year, combining three of the top shipping companies in the world into the largest publicly traded shipping company based on the eastern seaboard of the United States. They had a good track record working together on lucrative deals, so Cameron understood Barrett’s sudden interest. In fact, he counted on it.
“In a manner of speaking.” Cameron squeezed some lime into his sparkling water before looking up. “A financial company here in Philly is available for private sale. Mostly private equity, some mergers and acquisitions. Old name, respected. Flush clientele list and several projects in the hopper.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d guess it was C & C Winslow,” said Barrett, raising his glass to his lips.
Cameron locked his eyes with Barrett’s and nodded. “Funny you’d say that.”
“You can’t be serious.”
Cameron sighed. “I am.”
“Your father started that company.”
“And I’ve been saddled with it.”
“But Chris . . .”
“He’s pursuing a congressional bid.”
“Huh. I thought controller.”
Cameron shook his head. “Nope. Congress. He’s not coming back, Barrett.”
“So you’re solo.”
“Yes. And it’s, well, it’s too much work for a single-man operation.”
Barrett lowered his glass to the table. “Selling seems impulsive.”
Cameron shrugged.
“Why not stick with the company and hire someone to take up the slack?”
“You available?” Cameron joked.
Barrett shook his head. “Afraid not. But Brooks?”
Cameron thought about his older brother, who was presently at home for a couple of weeks to help with Jessica’s wedding. But Brooks spent more time with his sailboats in Maryland than he did in Philadelphia.
“He’s an athlete. Brooks was never into finance.”
Barrett nodded, familiar with Cameron’s ex-Olympian older brother. “Pres?”
Preston, Cameron’s second-oldest brother, had recently gotten his act together after moving home mysteriously last year and spending a few months drinking Scotch and being belligerent. He was finally working at a reputable entertainment law firm in Philly, and Cameron had no interest in distracting or derailing him.
“He’s working at Clifton, Jackson & Webb. On track for partner.”
“That’s right.” Barrett paused like he was weighing something in his head. “Cameron, I hope I’m not out of line, but I think of you like family, and I can’t let you do this without talking it over seriously. C & C Winslow is a legacy. Don’t get me wrong, we’d be crazy to pass up your clientele list alone, and if you’re hell-bent on selling, you know we’d offer the same level of service that you and Chris give your clients—”
“Which is why you’re the only potential buyer for this sale, Barrett.”
“But that’s the thing. Are you sure you want to sell? How about a merger instead? English & Sons could buy a seventy percent interest in C & C Winslow, and back up your deals. You’d have Fitz and Kate for legal and Stratton for financials. Alex could handle international and new business for you. After Alex and Jess are married, we’ll be family, so a merger would be an organic transition for all of us. You don’t need to sell.”
You don’t need to sell.
Barrett’s words knocked around in Cameron’s head as the waiter came over to take their order. You don’t need to sell The very words lifted a weight from Cameron’s shoulders as he imagined the English brothers and their cousin, Kate, stepping in to share the burden of C & C Winslow’s clients and deals. He’d be able to have a normal life.
Except.
He’d still be bound to C & C Winslow, which made his heart feel heavy because he was more and more ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.
This morning, he’d taken a break from his business to surf the Internet for more ways to make a regional winery a profitable business venture, and his research had taken him to the largest and most well-run vineyards in the United States, in Napa Valley. Checking out the different business models, he started to realize that if he and Margaret were able to buy adjacent Harrell Reserve, they’d have three times as much growing space and the opportunity to build another couple of hospitality-style buildings for tastings, group events, and weddings. If The Five Sisters became a popular destination, they could then offer to buy the land on the other side and build an inn or bed-and-breakfast, where guests could spend a weekend.