emotional time. I think we ought to have some time alone. Don’t you? I’ll just go ask them boys to let themselves out.” Before he can get to the doorway, I grab the back of his sweater to stop him. He turns and reaches for my hand. He slowly removes it from his sweater. The look on his face has me taking a step back.
“Now, now, darlin’, if you want me to remove my clothing. All you have to do is ask.” His tone is sinister. My body is shaking in response.
Fourteen
I watch Nick lead Lily through the kitchen. I hear words exchanged but as soon as he grabs her hand I see red. Chase puts his hand on my shoulder. “Keep your hands to yourself man. Nick would love nothing more than to throw a lawsuit in your direction.” I nod as I walk towards them.
“Lily, can I talk to you for a minute? In private.” I take Lily’s hand from Nick. She’s shaking. I’m furious at Nick for putting her in this situation. “What’s going on? I thought this was a business meeting?”
“It was. It is.” She’s shaking her head back and forth, flustered from whatever exchange just happened between her and Nick. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Look, let’s just get this over with.” I want him out of here as soon as possible. I never should have let Chase talk me into bringing him along. If I hadn’t waited for him I would have gotten here in time to deal with this farce of a meeting. “Go sit on the couch with Chase. I’ll deal with Nick.”
When I make my way into the dining room I see Nick, texting on his phone. He looks up. “I should have known you would have found a way to be here too. After all, this does concern you too.”
“You’re damn right it does. You should have called me first.” His hands go up in defense.
“Hey, I’m just looking out for Lily. Somebody has to.” He pulls out a thick file from his brief case and walks back to the living room. I follow behind him, fists clenched, my stare, boring holes in the back of his head. Chase and Lily are sitting on the couch. Nick and I take the chairs sitting on the other side of the coffee table. He sets the file on his lap and smiles at Lily.
“Lily, darlin’. This is about your grandfather’s Will and the James Family Estate.” Lily is still tense but she sits up a little straighter.
“I’m still confused.”
“Well, I thought JT would have spoken to you about this by now but apparently he was little too caught up in things around here as well.” I scowl at him as he looks at me pointedly.
“JT? What’s going on?”
“Sugar, promise me you will listen to everything I have to say before you ask any questions.”
“What? My head is spinning in confusion. Someone please tell me what is going on!” Nick is dying to tell her but it’s my duty. It’s my responsibility.
“Lily, back when The Lucky Five was established, Lilliana James fell in love with a Tanner. Gordon Tanner. The poker game we always hear stories about? Those two were in the game. Lilliana won that game.”
“Lilliana is who I’m named after. Gramps told me stories. I’ve never heard this version.”
“At the time they were not together. That game is what brought them together. They fell in love and married soon after. The poker game was a love story that became a legal matter no one thought to question since the two married. They let The Lucky Five become separate but legally that land is still Tanner land.”
“What!?” She stood. I looked at Chase hoping he wouldn’t let her get by him until I could finish. Nick started in on the story before I continued.
“Your Gramps was young when he found out about the whole story. I’m surprised he didn’t tell your parents.”
“There was no need.” I retorted. Tension was spreading amongst us. “Gramps made a legally binding agreement with my father to make sure any member of the James family was entitled to this land.”
“Come one Tanner, you don’t have to pretend.” Nick sported a huge Cheshire cat smile. I looked at Lily and motioned for her to sit down.
“Lily, the chances of the provisions of the land agreement ever coming to pass was so slim no one thought it would matter.”
“The will left the land to JT, provided he marry.”
“Marry?” Her