found solid footing for their relationship. Shelly convinced him Marti was jealous and trying to destroy the family they were trying to build for their children.
At the time, she made a good case. It sounded so convincing and true. He’d committed to his new life with Shelly. Despite his need to hear Marti’s voice, he didn’t return her call, never thinking she’d called about George. Stupid. He should have known better.
Now, seeing Marti again, he saw the truth. Marti wasn’t petty, or the jealous type.
He would forever regret not calling Marti back and being there with George.
“Shelly never said anything about George.”
“Not surprising. She didn’t want you calling me.”
“Do you blame her? We’re getting married, and she knows there was something between us.”
“Was? Was. I see,” she said miserably. “Fine. You didn’t call me back, so I sat here alone with George all night. I was here when he took his final breath. I was the one here when he needed his family. You couldn’t be bothered to return my call.”
“Dammit, Marti. That’s not fair. I’m trying to be with Shelly. I’m trying to let you go. It’s killing me, but I’m trying.”
“Last night had nothing to do with our non-relationship. It had to do with the man who raised you your whole life dying, and you weren’t here. You weren’t here for him, or me.”
“That’s just it. I want to be with you, and I can’t.”
“No. You won’t,” she said and tried to leave.
He stopped her. They couldn’t have this conversation again. Nothing would change what was and what was going to be.
“The lawyer wants to see you downstairs. You’ve been invited to listen to the reading of the will.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have a choice. George left you something and everyone listed in the will has to be present.”
He took her arm and led her to the library, all the way downstairs without letting her go. Before they entered the room, he released her, but wished he didn’t have to. He just wanted to touch her.
Chapter Thirty-Three
* * *
“WHAT IS SHE doing in here?” Both Walter and his sister, Claire, said in unison.
“I was invited.” She sat in the only chair left for her in front of a TV brought in for the will.
The lawyer turned on the TV and George’s image appeared in the paused video. She thought it fitting a boom of thunder exploded and rain poured outside. The rain threatened all day and she welcomed it now. She’d met George again during a storm. Fitting she should say goodbye with the rain pouring down outside.
“Hello, Marti,” George said from the TV.
She stared up at his image and whispered, “Hello, George.”
“I wanted to take a minute to thank you for what you did for me the day I met you on the dock. You saved my life—in more ways than one.”
“What is he talking about, you saved his life?”
She ignored Walter and listened to George.
“You reminded me we are all unique, and nothing is ever given to us freely, except love and friendship. I love you, Marti, my friend.”
“I love you too, George,” she whispered.
“You told me not to allow my family to dictate my life and my death. We talked about how being born into a family fortune didn’t mean you were entitled to something you never worked to contribute to the family’s name and honor.
“You understand this, Marti. You’ve grown up to be a fine woman on your own, who has made your own way in this world. You took what you were given, both tangible and intangible, from your grandparents, and you’ve enriched your family’s honor and name. Your grandparents had you to do that for them, and I have Cameron. Please Marti. Take Cameron aside and tell him the truth.
“I want to tell you I’m sorry, Marti, for what is about to happen. I’m afraid in order to try to make things right, I may hurt you very badly in the end. If it all works out, I know you’ll be truly happy, and my grandchildren will have an amazing mother in you.”
She felt Cameron’s eyes bore into her back, but she refused to turn and face him.
“Emma, my darling princess. I love you. Don’t be sad for me. I, like you, got to have Marti in my life for a short while and it has made all the difference. You will always be my princess and I shall always be your Knight.”