Chapter 14
The paperwork was finalized by late afternoon. Richard Sterling departed in his black sedan, leaving behind a fully executed exhibition contract and a renewed sense of institutional recognition for the Vance name.
Julian poured two cups of coffee in the office, handing one to Leo across the cluttered wooden desk.
"You handled him like a seasoned dealer," Julian laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Your father would have loved watching you negotiate terms with a museum director."
"I learned from the best," Leo smiled, taking a sip of the coffee. "Though I think my method was slightly less confrontational than Marcus's approach at Apex Motors."
"Speaking of Apex," Julian chuckled, "I heard through a mutual acquaintance that Marcus was demoted to overnight lot porter after the district manager conducted an internal audit following our little visit last month."
Leo didn't feel any satisfaction or malice at the news—only a distant, detached pity for a man who measured his entire existence by corporate hierarchy and floor dominance. Some men built their lives out of glass and temporary authority, while others built theirs out of steel, patience, and family.
"Let him keep his lot," Leo said simply. "We have work to do."
He walked out of the office and back into the main workshop floor. The carriage house was quiet, bathed in the warm, golden light of the late afternoon sun streaming through the high windows. In the center of the room sat the maroon convertible, gleaming like a polished jewel against the rustic wood and stone of the restored garage.
Leo walked over to the workbench and picked up his father’s leather-bound journal. He opened it to the very last blank page at the back of the book. With a steady hand and a sharp graphite pencil, he began to write his own entry, documenting the restoration of the engine, the agreement with the museum, and the rebirth of a legacy that had nearly been lost to time.
October 24, Leo wrote. Finished the final engine tune today. The car runs smoother than it ever did. Dad, we made it to the museum. But more importantly, we finally brought her home.
He closed the journal and set it gently beside the tin box and the rusted ignition key.
May you like
Julian walked out of the office, stopping beside him and looking down at the car. "What's our next project?" Julian asked quietly. "I hear there's a rusted-out sixty-five Mustang sitting in a barn down in Jersey that needs some attention."
Leo smiled, looking out at the open road winding through the Westchester trees. "Let's finish tuning this one first. Then we'll see what else needs building."
