Chapter 9 - Rebuilding
Two weeks later.
The quiet town of Shelburne Falls was bathed in the warm gold of late September. The trees along the Deerfield River had turned brilliant shades of amber, scarlet, and orange.
The old paper mill was no longer silent.
Inside, team of local union carpenters, electricians, and masons were hard at work under Claire's direction. The old rot-damaged floorboards had been completely replaced with reclaimed oak timber. Massive steel reinforcement beams had been installed along the high brick arches, and fresh glass panes sparkled in the newly restored windows.
Luca sat at a simple wooden workbench near the river window, wearing a pair of work boots, dark jeans, and a grey sweater. He was reviewing a set of architectural plans alongside Claire’s father, Dan Donovan—a burly man with silver hair and calloused hands.
"The wiring on the third floor is completely outdated, Luca," Dan said, pointing a thick finger at the blueprint. "If you want to install the timber-drying kilns up there, we need to run a dedicated two-hundred-amp commercial service line from the street."
"Then let's run it, Dan," Luca said, taking a pencil and making a note on the margin. "Whatever Claire needs to make this the premier historic restoration workshop in New England."
Dan looked at Luca, studying the young billionaire who had spent the last fourteen days sleeping on a cot in the mill office, helping haul timber, and eating diner food with the local crew.
"You've got dirt under your fingernails, Ferraro," Dan chuckled, clapping a heavy hand on Luca's shoulder. "My daughter said you were stubborn, but I didn't think you'd survive two weeks without a suit."
"I've never felt more alive in my life, Dan," Luca admitted honestly, looking across the room where Claire was inspecting a newly sanded mahogany door frame.
Just then, a sleek silver sedan pulled up outside the mill doors.
Nora Ferraro stepped out of the car, carrying a box of bakery pastries and a leather portfolio.
"Delivery!" Nora called out cheerfully, walking into the noisy workshop.
Claire dropped her sanding block and walked over, smiling warmly. "Nora! How was the drive?"
"Long, but worth it to get away from Newport," Nora said, hugging Claire before setting the pastries on a workbench. She turned to Luca. "The board meeting wrapped up this morning."
Luca wiped his hands on a rag. "And?"
"Antonio signed the resignation papers," Nora reported, pulling a set of legal documents from her portfolio. "He accepted the buyout of his non-voting shares and agreed to full restitution to avoid federal prosecution. He's moving to Florida next month."
Luca let out a slow breath. "And Mother?"
"She's... quiet," Nora said gently. "She spent the week at the estate in Watch Hill. But she asked me to give you this."
Nora reached into her purse and pulled out a small, antique velvet jewelry box.
Luca recognized it immediately. It wasn't the emerald ring—it was his father's personal gold signet ring, simple, unadorned, and worn smooth by time.
"She said your father wore it when he bought his first delivery truck in 1980," Nora said softly. "She said... she forgot what it felt like to build something from nothing. She wants you to have it."
Luca took the small box, his fingers tracing the worn velvet. A knot formed in his throat.
May you like
"Tell her I'll call her tomorrow," Luca said quietly.
"She'd like that," Nora smiled.
