Unexpected Gift(17)

My car beeps when I get close enough for it to read the key fob. I toss my briefcase in the back seat and slide into the driver’s seat of my Range Rover. I punch the address into the GPS, and Gail, the automated voice, tells me I have a ten-minute ride. It seems like everything in this town is only ten minutes away.

My grip on the steering wheel tightens the closer the destination gets. I’m not ready for this. I can keep driving, keep going, and never look back. “Ah, what am I talking about?” I scratch my chin as I drive past the building I’m supposed to be at. I will never forgive myself if I stand the lawyer up. I’ll never know what Brandon’s final wishes are. I’ll always wonder, and I can’t do that to him. So, I need to buck up. Brandon died, and this is the process. I need to respect that.

Sunlight blinds me for a second before I make my U-turn, causing spots to cloud my vision. My tires squeal against the pavement, burning rubber as the car makes a sharp turn. Another vehicle honks when I fishtail, almost swerving into their lane. Whoops.

My heart races, pounding against my chest from the adrenaline. The palms of my hands perspire against the leather of the steering wheel. The vehicle next to me gives me the bird as they speed past while I slowly turn into the parking lot of the attorney’s office.

I’m ten minutes late. Not too horrible. I’m not in a hurry to get out of the car. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the seat. I need a minute to gather myself. I need to look more composed than I feel. A buzzing catches my attention, and I snap my eyes open and check my phone. I have three missed calls and two texts from Molly, and my heart stops. The last time I had so many messages from her, Brandon died.

Did someone else?





Chapter Eight





Molly





He is late.

I didn’t know he was supposed to be here until I sat down, holding a crying Posie. I pat her back as she wails. The lawyer stares at me, not saying a word. When I ask why we aren’t getting on with the meeting, he says, “We are waiting on a Caden Jackson. According to Brandon and Amelia’s will, they wanted both of you to be in the room.”

Brandon has to be laughing right now. He knows how Caden and I act around each other. We tolerate one another, at best. Half the time we are at each other’s throats, and the only reason we aren’t right now is due to the funeral and emotions running rampant in the air.

And we are about to be at each other’s throats again if he doesn’t get here within the next two minutes. The meeting started fifteen minutes ago. “Can’t we just start without him? I mean, can’t you catch him up when he gets here? I have an upset baby here.” I keep patting Posie’s back, trying to soothe her. She has been very fussy over the last few days. Understandably. She wants her mom and dad. And she hasn’t seen them. It makes my heart ache because that is something I will never be able to fix.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I have to follow my client’s wishes. Mr. Jackson said he would be here. I believe him, and so did Mr. Lowell. Have a little faith.”

Faith? Have you met the man?

“Right. Well, I’m going to take her to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” And I’ll text Caden for the hundredth time to see where he is. I snag the diaper bag off the floor and make sure Posie is secure on my hip. My arms are wrapped around her tightly before I get up. It’s a swanky office, so they better have a changing table in the woman’s room. I can’t stand it when businesses don’t have bathrooms that cater to parents.

“Sure, no problem. I’ll be here. Would you like coffee or tea while we wait?” he asks, rifling through a few papers.

“That’s sweet of you, thank you. I’d love some tea.” I need to be nicer to the man. He is only doing his job and doing right by what Brandon and Amelia wanted. I’ve just been so wound up from everything and coming back down from that will be hard. It'll take time, but eventually I’ll get there.

He smiles, stacking the papers neatly before getting up and walking down the hall. I follow behind and hang a right to the restrooms. I kick the door open and go to the largest stall. “Oh, good.” My shoulders sag with relief when I see the very large changing station. I put the bag on the counter and grab one of the changing towels and drape it over the station. I don’t like the idea of her bare little bum on the germ-covered counter. After I have a diaper, wipes, and diaper cream, I lay her down.

“There we go, pretty girl.” I smile at her, but I don’t get one back. She's sad. Rightfully so. Her little cheeks are red from crying, and her lashes are wet. Her bottom lip puckers, getting ready to let out another wail. “I know, baby. I miss them, too.” I choke up a bit when her big, brown eyes stare at me. A few more tears start to fall down her face, and she finally lets out that wail she has been holding in.

“I know it hurts. I know. I love you so much. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you always remember your mommy and daddy.” I unbutton her onesie and take off her diaper. Clean her up, put on the cream, and replace the diaper with a new one. She settles a bit after that, but she still sniffles. “All clean. Is that better, Posie? How’s my favorite niece?” I ask in a high-pitched baby voice. She is my only niece, but that doesn’t matter.

I pick her up and kiss her cheek. Caden isn’t here yet, so I take a few extra minutes to pace and bounce Posie up and down. She rubs her eyes with her tiny fists and yawns. Poor thing cried herself to exhaustion. “I can completely relate, sweetheart,” I croon into her ear, bouncing her on my hip. Her whimpers turn into light snores after a few minutes.