urn get placed in the ground. Only I did. The only soul on earth besides the attendant who watched him being interred.
“Oh, please! The hotel...that hovel?” Mom says, already marching toward the door. “Hell is a national hotel chain. Do you have any idea what the bleach in those sheets does to my skin?”
I try not to roll my eyes. If only we could blame even half her antics on the bedding.
“We’ll be in the lobby, Anna,” Dad tells me, catching up with her just in time to yank open the door.
I nod, swallowing the lump growing in my throat because I truly wish I didn’t have to go through this alone.
“Can I get you anything?” Sheridan asks once the door clicks shut, leaving just the two of us in his office. “Coffee? Soda? A glass of water?”
I shake my head, thankful it still moves. I feel stiff, frozen, and chock-full of dread. I’ve had three failed business adventures, mostly rentals I thought I could manage and turn a profit on.
How could I ever take on the complicated monstrosity Gramps turned into his empire? How could I ever do it justice?
A flipping oil company? I don’t even know the price at the pump today!
Mom might be right. I can’t.
And I’m kinda sorta panicking.
Mr. Sheridan slowly sinks back into his chair, eyeing me slowly. “Forgive me, Ms. Reed. I recently had back surgery, so I’m not moving very fast yet.”
I nod again. Then, because I should at least acknowledge he’d spoken, I say, “I hope you feel better soon. Gramps went through something like that maybe ten years back...he was practically doing cartwheels a year later.” God. I’m really out of my element here.
“Ah, I hope to be half that lucky. And you won’t be alone in this, let me assure you. Your grandfather was a careful man and a good planner. He left generous provisions for my services as long as you need them. Additionally, you’ll have the full support of his most trusted companion, who’s also listed in the will. Mr. Larkin will provide you with everything you could ever need.”
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