Accidental Knight: A Marriage Mistake Romance(4)

His...companion? Mr. Larkin? What the what?

I knew Gramps had an assistant around the house, of sorts, but...I’m drawing a total blank on the man’s name. Gramps never said much about him, only mentioned his helper a few times.

Someone who worked at the ranch, and sometimes dealt with company business. Probably an old Army buddy or something.

It’s a big place, but there’s not as much to manage as there used to be.

Gramps sold off his cattle and chickens years ago and rented the majority of his land, so his man simply filled in the gaps, did odd jobs he couldn’t keep up with in old age.

Honestly, I was glad he had someone there with him, living on the property. I wish I’d asked more, knew more, but whenever we’d talked, it was always about me. That’s what Gramps loved to talk about more than anything. Living vicariously, maybe.

To hear what I was doing, and when I was coming home.

We’d talk for hours, even when the visits I’ll always regret not making couldn’t happen.

Gramps heard it all.

Life. Dreams. Triumphs. Every good thing any loving grandfather wants to know about.

Well, I’m here now, and at least I’ve got help.

Sorta. An old attorney, an old companion, and an old horse.

Hopefully they don’t all die on me the same week.

I catch myself, shaking my head. What an awful, selfish thought to have. I hope it isn’t Mom’s craptacular attitude rubbing off.

Slowly, I plant my hands on the black dress covering my thighs and try to refocus on what Sheridan says.

“...need to live at the ranch for at least six months. I’ll be checking in with you regularly. Do you have any questions?”

Considering I hadn’t been listening to most of what he’d said, I should have a million, but I shake my head. I don’t want him to know what a failure I am at business, or today, following a simple conversation.

My shoulders slump. He probably already knows.

From what I gather, I have six months to either make it or break it here.

God only knows what’ll happen then. Or maybe Sheridan does, but right now, I don’t even ask because I don’t even want to know.

“As I said,” he continues, “Jonah has everything in perfect order down to the last T crossed. The board of directors will handle everything with North Earhart Oil. The company has a vast legal framework, so I won’t be as involved in that, but will be available to assist you with anything you don’t understand pertaining to your role in the founder’s seat.”

Heavy lies the crown, they say. Except, in this instance, the thought of even sitting in my grandfather’s seat before a gaggle of sharp-dressed executives makes my stomach twist.

I nod, swallowing hard, pretending it’ll be just dandy.

He leans back in his seat. “As I told your father earlier, his position with the company won’t change, and neither will his income. Jonah saw no need to modify his usual compensation.”

Fair. Dad barely does anything to warrant his six-figure salary, but I know my parents would be ten times as irate losing it.

Gramps inherited North Earhart Oil when it was small. His father was a wildcatter way back when, and the company had always been prosperous, but when the oil boom hit North Dakota with Gramps at the helm, North Earhart did exceptionally well. Practically the only thing about Gramps that Mom was extremely proud to talk about.

“I know this is a lot for you to take in. For someone as young as you to take on, but I’m here to help. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Just call.” A smile curves the edges of his lips. “Jonah was very specific about his wishes, and how they ought to be overseen. I gave him my solemn word I’d help ensure every detail gets executed to the letter of the law.”

I nod again. What else can I do? It’s sink or swim, and I can barely doggy paddle.

Still, I can’t let that show.

He pushes a pile of papers toward me. “I’ll need you to sign these, please. Two copies of what we discussed here today.”

I pick up a pen and sign my name mechanically next to the little red Sign Here stickers.

“Have you been out to the ranch yet?” he asks.

“No. As soon as I got the call, I packed up and drove straight here,” I say, signing the second copy. “I arrived yesterday and went straight to the funeral home. I stayed at the hotel last night, with the service today and then this meeting.”

He collects both copies. “I understand. Do you have a house key?”

“Absolutely.” Truly, it’s never left my keychain since the day Gramps gave it to me when I was twelve.

I don’t share that. To some, it’d be insignificant. To me, that key symbolized belonging somewhere.

“Would you like your copy, or do you want me to keep it?” Sheridan’s smile holds sympathy. “We can go over it again, in a few days, if you’d like, after it’s not such a shock to the system.”

I think of my parents, and until they’ve left, everything is safer out of their reach. “Go ahead and hang on to it. I’ll get my copy then.”

“Perfect. Before you leave, there’s one more thing...”

I look up, almost afraid. My fingers flex before reaching out to take the white envelope he’s holding.

“It’s from your grandfather. A personal message.”