Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(54)
That dress.
Damn.
She was trying to send me to an early grave. I contemplated walking right over and planting a kiss across her face for everyone to see, especially after I knew she’d read my email. The second she laughed loud enough for everyone to stop what they were doing and look in her direction I almost lost it myself.
Before things could get anymore uncomfortable, we were all asked to follow a young associate into a large conference room. I recognized one of our business attorneys immediately and walked over to shake his hand. “Ronald, it’s great to see you.”
“I’m sorry the circumstances aren’t better,” he replied.
“Hey, we can’t live forever. I’m just glad he’s not suffering anymore. He’ll be greatly missed, that’s for sure. I owe everything I know to that man.”
“He was the best man I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
Ronald turned his attention to someone else who happened to be standing behind me. As soon as I heard her name mentioned my body reacted.
“Rachel, you look amazing. How long has it been? Three years?”
“Two. Grayson passed away two years ago.”
I could tell Ronald didn’t want to discuss Rachel’s husband. It was obvious he’d done some legal work for her with her personal life. Rachel smiled as if she wasn’t offended by his misjudgment.
“I’m glad you could be here. When I spoke with Charles he was adamant about you attending. He thought of you like a daughter.”
I found my wife sitting down at the furthest point away from Rachel. I ended up taking the spot directly next to her, which fell across from Rachel. Gracie took one end, while the lawyer grabbed the opposite side. Harper started on Veronica’s lap, but climbed under the table just as we got started.
“You obviously know why we’re here. Charles made some revisions a few months ago, but nothing major. I’m not going to read from the documents. I’m just going to go down the list so we can get these papers signed and all of you out of here before we waste the day away. As you all know, this was his last testament and it can’t be revised or altered. If there is something you don’t agree with, or want to donate, we can discuss it privately afterwards. Is everyone good so far?”
We all nodded or answered him before he continued. I appreciated he was delivering the information in a more relaxed setting. I hated it being so professional. This was my grandfather’s life. It meant more than some legal document.
I’m just going to read down this list. For more details you’ll each get a packet with your personal information. Grace Elise Millington is to received one lump sum of five-hundred thousand dollars. Charles has asked that you set up a savings account for each of your grandchildren, and spend the rest on a fast car and a trip around the world. Whatever you have left is yours to live the rest of your life comfortably without lifting a finger. He says it’s time to retire.”
Gracie smiled and wiped some tears from her face. I wondered if they’d been involved in later years, but almost didn’t want to know the truth. We all have skeletons in our closet, and I liked thinking of Gracie as the saint who helped take care of my family.
“Harper Addalynn Farrow will receive a trust fund in the amount of two million dollars she will be able to draw from at the age of eighteen for college, or twenty four if she decides not to attend. Your grandfather says he’s going to miss your pretty smile the most. He says that when the world seems ugly, he thinks of you and everything bad goes away.”
Harper came out from under the table, not understanding what was going on, or how much money she would come into once she reached adulthood.
“The rest of the financials will go directly to the grandson, Chad Michael Farrow to do what he sees fit.” He slid over an envelope. “He also asks that you read this letter in private.”
“Now, onto the estate.” While he flipped to the next page I suddenly wondered why Rachel hadn’t been mentioned. Maybe he’d forgotten to mention what my grandfather had left her. I’d wait until he was done to bring it up. “The estate located at yada yada,” he was skimming through the wording. “will be split between Chad Michael Farrow and Rachel Marie Lewis.”
I heard Veronica gasp, looked over to see Rachel’s eyes widen, and then swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Come again?”
He slid the file over and pointed. “It’s pretty clear. The estate and all it’s content will be joint owned by you and Miss Lewis. It also states that the property will remain in an escrow account for no less than five years, at which time you will be able to sell and split the profits.”
“Why would he do such a thing? How are we supposed to maintain the property when we have nothing to do with Miss. Lewis? This is preposterous! I know you knew about this, Chad. If you think this is some kind of payback you’re wrong. I won’t stand for this.” Veronica slammed before standing up and walking out of the room.
I found Rachel again, tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks. “Did you know? Is she right?”
“Of course not. I swear. The old man was a jokester. This is probably his way of saying he knew about …,” I took a second, finally realizing I didn’t care if Ronald knew about our relationship. “Us.”
Harper came out from under the table. “Where did Mommy go?”