brothers, I warn them to get ready to move to Baker’s Creek. Technically, we’re fucked. They are extremely unhappy with the news. Henry is already frustrated with the state of The Lodge.
Our father stopped visiting the hotel a long time ago. The place is in the hands of an incompetent manager—Henry’s words.
No matter what happens with the will, we have to bring this place up to date. Henry plans on updating some of the equipment as early as this week. Sophia, his assistant, is going to help him assess the entire place to see how much we have to invest. He plans on driving to Aldry’s Sweets, the factory in Happy Springs, to do a quick audit. There are a lot of moving pieces around the businesses that I have to figure out too.
We are in charge, but there are limitations. We have access to Dad’s money, but Parrish has to authorize the withdrawals. Henry can’t absorb The Lodge into Merkel Hotels and Spas. It’s a slippery road to navigate. I have to study the will and learn it by heart before we fuck up and lose everything.
Henry is mad. He’s never cared about anyone but himself. I bet he’s just minutes away from leaving Baker’s Creek. I hope that Hayes and the rest of the guys can convince him to stay. Hayes says what I’ve been thinking all along, “This is bigger than us.”
I don’t want to go, but there aren’t many options. The next day, I go back to work, not that I plan on doing much of that. My priority is my father’s testament. As usual, Mom is in my office waiting for me. I’m not sure if it’s to chastise me for not calling her yesterday, as she made me promise, or—and I think this is the reason—she wants to find out more about my father’s will.
“If he left everything to Hayes, we could contest the will,” she says instead of greeting me. “I bet we can get Henry on board. After all, he’s the firstborn. We could even help him get the fortune in exchange for a hefty percentage.”
“I wouldn’t need to involve the firm if I wanted to do that,” I offer. “After all, I can represent myself. Why would I let the firm benefit from something that doesn’t belong to the Bryants?”
Her features harden, “We are your family.”
“You are my mother,” I correct her and hand her a copy of the will. “His assets will be divided into equal parts after we meet his stipulations. If you or your minions find a way to get rid of those stipulations, I’ll be happy to pay you for your services.”
She huffs, grabs the file I handed her, and starts reading it silently.
“You can’t move to Baker’s Creek,” she complains, her voice is so loud my assistant comes over.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, looking at my mother. “Should I call 9-1-1?”
“We’re fine,” I say and wave my hand dismissively.
Mom glares at her before she continues ranting, “This is arbitrary and doesn’t affect you. There has to be another way to get part of his fortune without following these ridiculous requests. Has the gold digger signed the divorce?”
“Her name is Leyla,” I clarify. “No, she hasn’t.”
“Push her to do it, and make sure to file it before you receive your father’s assets or she might try to keep part of what is rightfully yours,” she advises. I don’t tell her that Leyla has plenty of money and that’s the least of her worries—because she might try to push me to take that away from her. “We will find a way to get you out of this without you losing a cent of the inheritance, but…maybe moving into the town might help you get rid of that woman. It’ll be a fresh start.”
Mom and I haven’t seen eye to eye in a while, but today we agree on one thing. This is my chance to start anew.
“So, can I trust you with this?” I ask, making sure I heard her right. She has handled wills and trusts for a long time. “This is important, Mom.”
“When have I failed, Pierce?” she asks. There’s hurt in her voice. “I’m one of the best attorneys in the country, and this is a favor for you. I’ll see to it personally. In the meantime, get rid of your wife.”
There is no point in telling her that I’m working on getting the divorce because she’ll suggest I force it. She wouldn’t understand that