I can't imagine how the hell they thought this would ever be something we'd agree to. Even if Bramble Carter wasn't the most annoying man in the universe, which he is, it's just not going to work. For starters, I live in Oklahoma, and Mr. Bigshot is in New York.
Listen, bro, I really want to do this last thing for you. You know I'd do anything else, but this is too much. You don't want me tied to Mitch for the rest of my life, and I get that now, believe me, I do. But I refuse to be tied to Bram Carter for all eternity, either, for much the same reason. There has to be another way.
There has to be.
7
Bram
As if the day hasn't already been bizarre enough, I'm in the office of a guy who could double as a human billy goat, in the Highlands of Scotland, holding a letter from my dead sister. Was it just yesterday my biggest concern was how to avoid sex with Katrina Rutherford? I can't sit still, so I stand and walk around the room. Tessa is already reading her letter, tears falling down her face. I feel sorry for her, even though she pisses me off. Roman was a good guy, and I remember that he and his sister were raised in foster homes. She's all alone now. Just like me.
Whoa there, boy, don't get carried away just because your hormones are raging at the sight of a pretty girl crying. Remember, she's trying to take away your family. If she takes those kids to Oklahoma, you'll never see them again. What would Mary think about that? Turning my back on Tessa, I wonder for the hundredth time if hearing my dad all the time means I'm not just a little crazy. Deep breath, Bram, then open the damn letter.
I rip open the letter.
Hey Brother,
By now you know that both Roman and I are gone. I don't know how or when it'll happen, but I've had one of my feelings, so I know my love and I are destined to go together. I really wouldn't mind that at all, because I can't imagine life without him, except what it means for our two little angels. They’ll be orphans, just like Roman and Tessa. Except they really aren't just like Roman and Tessa, because when their parents died, they didn’t have anyone else. I take great comfort in knowing that Abbie and Archie have both you and Tessa. And don't forget Mrs. MacThomas. Her part in their life isn't over. You'll just have to trust me on that one.
Bram, please read this letter carefully, and with an open heart and mind. I know your way is to plow straight into a problem and try to solve it methodically. You attack things head on. You see what needs to be done and you just do it. That works great for business and is probably one reason you’re so successful, and why I know my babies won't want for anything physically while you're taking care of them. But children also need someone who's more nurturing and softer around the edges. You and I had to grow up without a mother, and it was so hard, remember? We had Dad, but he worked so much that it seems like it was always just you and me against the world. I'm so lucky to have had you, Bram, but I want my kids to grow up with both a mom and a dad.
That's why, after careful consideration, Roman and I are in total agreement that we want both you and Contessa Stephenson to have joint custody of the twins. More than that, we want you to take care of them together. Nothing will make me happier than knowing you, Tessa, Abbie, and Archie are together as a family.
And before you ask, smart aleck, yes, I have had a feeling about you and Tessa. Believe me when I say this will work out the way it's supposed to. Tessa is a wonderful person, and she loves the twins, and they love her. They are going to need her help to get through this. Just as they're going to need your strength and love.
Please, Bram, don't let the fact that you've never wanted to accept my ability to see into the future, or your stubborn pride, or anything at all, get in the way. You and Tessa are meant to be, just as Roman and I were. I know it. I feel it. I see it.
I know I can count on you to keep our memory alive with Abbie and Archie. You know firsthand how awful it was that Dad never talked about our mother, never kept photos of her, never told us anything, really. I want Abbie and Archie to know all about me and Roman. I want them to know about our hopes and dreams. Most of all, I want them to know how very much we love them.
Ok, forgive the tear stains, please, but the thought of my sweet little babies growing up without me and their father breaks my heart. But knowing you and Tessa will be taking care of them means I can die knowing they're going to be okay, and I can rest easy in my grave.
I hope you'll tell them stories about when we were little. I know they'll think it's hilarious to hear how we tortured our poor nannies with frogs in their handbags and salt in the sugar after we saw Mary Poppins. I want them to know the good with the bad, Bram, so they see me as a real person. But maybe, don't tell them about how I used to sneak out to parties when we were teenagers, at least until they're safely grown, okay?
Now, back to you, bro. I know full well you keep women at a distance. What I don't understand is why. Are you afraid to fall in love? Because it's so beautiful, Bram, and I want this for you so badly. If you're just waiting for the right woman, I can tell you she's right in front of you. I've never been more certain of anything in my life. Let her in, Bram. Your sister knows best.
Big hugs to you, brother of mine. I love you so much. You've been the best brother and twin anyone could ever ask for. Oh, and thank you for following me to those parties when I snuck out. I would have been too afraid to go on my own.
All my love,
Mary
So many things packed in that one short letter. What the actual fuck? Tessa and I are supposed to take care of the kids together? Joint custody. That would mean we'd have to live together. At least in the same town. No freaking way I'm moving to Oklahoma.
Mary had tried several times to get me to come visit them in Oklahoma City. I always meant to. It shames me now to think that I never made it a priority. Now, though, I'm beginning to get the suspicion that it was all just a ploy to throw me and Tessa together. Is that what this is? A final attempt to play matchmaker?
I read the letter over again, hoping this time it'll make more sense. It doesn't. But the last sentence sinks in this second time, and I feel my eyes start to tear up. Mary had known all along that I was following her to those parties? I hid from her so she'd think she was out on her own, but I couldn't let her go alone. She could have gotten hurt. It was my job to be her protector, so I always followed her at a distance, and kept my eye on her until she was home again, safe in her bed.
Like Mary said, I’ve always plowed straight through a problem. I’m a firm believer in what my gut tells me. It hasn’t steered me wrong yet, in my personal or business life. I see what needs to be done and do it. So, I'm deciding, right here, right now. I'm going to do whatever it takes to do what Mary wants.
Even if it means marrying that disagreeable woman? Am I really prepared to do that?
Marry Tessa? No. I won't do that, not even for Mary. But I will do whatever I can to make her see reason and move to New York.
God, I'm going to miss you, Mary. Don't worry, your babies are safe with me.
Tessa is still across the room, reading and crying into a handful of tissues. I don't know how this will work, but one thing I do know is that there's no way in hell Tessa is taking those kids to Oklahoma. If we have to all be together, we're going to do it my way. Gathering up my sister's last wish, I quietly leave the room in search of MacTavish.
8
Tessa
I look up from my letter to find myself alone in the lawyer's office. Realizing Bram has left, I jump to my feet, still holding my precious letter from Roman in my right hand. I've known men like Bram before. Men who get their way because they're rich and good-looking. The world bows down to men like Bram. Well, not me. I'm going to fight for those children, and I'm going to win. Roman didn't realize what he was asking of me. If I'd had the chance to talk to him about it, I could've made him see reason. I know I could've.
Leaving the office door open behind me, I walk out into the reception area where I find Bram and MacTavish deep in conversation. From th
e look on Bram's face, it's not going his way. Good.
"Nay, Mr. Carter. I can't do that. You'll have to abide by the wishes of the children's parents if you want to have them relinquished into your custody."
"I'll get that all sorted out once I have the children back in New York, MacTavish. You have my word."
"Oh, well, see here, they're here in this country on the family visa linked to their father's work visa. Given Mr. Stephenson's untimely death, they’ll be sent back to the United States of America for the courts there to decide their fate if you and Miss Stephenson fail to satisfy the conditions of the will. That is, unless you and Miss Stephenson, together take custody of the children. "
Bram looks like he is about to explode. I take a small amount of childish delight in his frustration before joining the two men.
"I'm afraid, Mr. Carter, that your word is just not good enough. You’ll have to sign documents here signaling your intent to satisfy the requirements of the legal guardianship. If you want to change that arrangement, you’ll be fighting that out in the courts back in the States."
"Fine." Bram is fuming, clearly not used to being told no. I've overheard some valuable information, though. I now know I need to play along here in Scotland, do whatever satisfies the legalities so that we can take the children back home. Once we're there, I'll just have to make sure that I get custody of the twins. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do that, but I'll find a way. I have to.
"Let's just sign whatever we need to sign and get out of here, Bram. I need to see my niece and nephew."
I hand the car keys over to Bram without saying a word. My head is pounding from no sleep and the emotional confusion caused by Roman's letter. I just want to get back to Mermaid Cottage and see the twins. I need to hold them. In all this legal crap the reality of those two little people has been ignored. They don't even know yet that their parents are gone. It's too much for me to deal with on no sleep for nearly twenty-four hours.
"Tessa."
I refuse to look at Bram. I sit in the passenger seat with my eyes closed. "I don't want to talk right now, Bram. I need a minute. Just get me back to the cottage."
The car starts and I feel myself sinking straight into a dream. Roman is there, begging me to take care of the children, but he's dripping wet and, in the background, I see the Loch Ness Monster rising up out of the lake and heading right for us. I reach for Roman but he's running toward the monster, who I now see has Abbie and Archie clutched in its mouth, only it's no longer the cute version of the Loch Ness Monster known as Nessie. Now it's one of the horrible T-rex dinosaurs from Jurassic Park.
"Tessa. Tessa, wake up."
I open my eyes to see Bram's two hazel ones just an inch or two from my face. They're beautiful. The left one has more gold flecks in it than the right one. I almost hope he's going to kiss me, and that realization wakes me all the way up. "What are you doing? Get off me." I look around, disoriented. We're back at Mermaid Cottage.
"I guess you're okay then. And for the record, I wasn't on you."
The car door squeaks a little as it opens. I wonder if Mr. Moneybags is embarrassed having to drive around Inverness in my budget rental. I hope so.
"Look, we really need to get on the same page here. It looks like we'll have to cooperate for the sake of the Scottish authorities, but when we get back to America, I think you'll see that the courts will certainly favor giving me custody of the kids. I'll make sure you get to see them, hell, I'll even foot the bill for you to come to New York from time to time to see them. It might be nice for you to get away from Oklahoma and have a little vacation in the city, don't you think?"
While Bram is still talking, I walk away from him and knock on the front door but stop just short of going inside when Mrs. MacThomas opens it. If the children are already here, I don't want them to overhear our conversation. I lower my voice to tell him where the fuck to get off. "Are you really this much of an ass? Just because railroading people works for you in business, don't for one second think it'll work with me."
"I don't have to railroad anyone, in business or otherwise! Sane and reasonable people realize that my plans are thoroughly thought out and I have the resources to ensure they work."
"Ooooh, there you go again, throwing it in my face that you have more money than I do. Well, these children are not for sale." Ah, shit. For the second time today, I've said something pretty damn hateful and unforgiveable. Something about him turns me into a mean bitch.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? I'm not trying to buy my niece and nephew. I happen to love them. I want to take care of them. You think I just want to, to what? I can't even figure out what you might think because you're being so crazy and unreasonable."
"Oh my God, I'm sorry, Bram, I didn't mean that you're trying to buy them, exactly. It's just not fair that you think you can take better care of them because you have more money."
"I'm not ashamed of being rich, and I won't apologize for it. But what about you? Can you honestly tell me you don't think you can take better care of them just because you're a woman?"
I open my mouth to deny this, but actually, I was thinking something exactly like that. Score one point for the jackass.
"Will the two of ye sit doon and haud yer wheesht?"
Bram is looking as confused as I am. I honestly thought before I met Mrs. MacThomas that Scottish people spoke English. Turns out many of them speak Scottish, and I have no idea what she's saying, and it's not just her thick accent.
"Sit doon!"
Well, that was clear enough. Bram and I both sit like obedient dogs. Her face is red and I'm pretty sure we're in trouble now. I look over at Bram. His face is like thunder and he's opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish. I feel the urge to laugh. Well, at least I’m not crying. Usually, I cry when I’m this tired, or angry, or any extreme of emotion. It’s embarrassing. Shaking my head, I try to pay attention to what the nanny is trying to say.
"Did ye read yer letters?"
Wow, so Mary and Roman trusted Mrs. MacThomas enough to confide in her about the letters she wrote to me and Bram. I can see that this information has also made Bram sit up and take notice.
"Yes." Bram and I answer at exactly the same time. A random giggle is fighting its way out, so I take a deep breath to steady myself.
"Right, then, I dinnae see why ye are still fashin' aboot."
Bram and I exchange glances that clearly say huh? Mrs. MacThomas rolls her eyes and grunts with what I can only think of as disgust, but she slows down and rephrases her words to resemble something we can understand.
"I said, I don't see why ye are still fighting about it. Ye ken? Ye know yer siblings dying wishes, aye? Ye have to come together for the sake of the wee bairns and take care of them together. Ye ken?"
"It's impossible, I'm afraid. I run a company in New York City, and I have employees who depend on me. I can't relocate to Oklahoma. I've told Ms. Stephenson here that if she wants to come visit the children, I'll pay her expenses, but she turned me down flat. I guess if she wants to move to New York, I could even help with that, but the children are my responsibility, so they'll live with me, and that's final."
"Oh my God, you are so full of yourself! The answer to every problem isn't money. I have a career, too, you know. I'm a well-respected surgical nurse at the largest hospital in the state. I have a home and a life that includes more than a procession of dates and photo ops for the society columns. The children already know me, they've spent the night at my house, they feel at home with me. Spend your precious money coming to visit the children at my house, because as far as I'm concerned, that's where they'll be. And that's final."
Bram's eyes are so narrow now they're nothing but slashes in his face. I think he's pretty angry. So what. Let him be pissed off as hell, I don’t really give a shit. He can hate my guts as long as he stops trying to take the twins. I can't lose any more family. I won't.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do when she refuses to be re
asonable."
"You're the one who won't be reasonable."
"I can see yer both determined to be unreasonable. Och, well, ye’ll do it the hard way, then. Mary would be so disappointed in the pair of ye. There's nothing for it, ye ken? It seems yer both spoiling for a fight but think what that’ll do to the wee bairns."
I catch Bram's eye, which is thankfully open all the way again. I don’t want to hurt the children, and I don’t think he does either, so I decide to try and at least appear to get along with him. "We won't get anywhere here if we keep fighting. We need to take custody of the twins and get them to America, then we can sort it out there. Can we at least agree on that, Bram?"
He runs one of his strong hands through his long brown hair and nods back at me, but for once doesn't say a word. It’s a welcome change.
"Braw. The wee bairns’ bags are packed and in their rooms, Bram. But we can't be leaving just yet, ye ken? We've got to tell the bairns, and then we've got to have a service for the poor Mr. and Mrs. I think we'll all get along just fine here until we get the all clear from the authorities. I reckon we can be ready to leave for the States in about a week."
The laugh manages to escape me this time, as I realize Mrs. MacThomas is planning on making the trip back with us. The look on Bram’s face is priceless. He’s so surprised he jumps up from his seat and sends a small table full of ornately framed photos flying.
"Och, ye didnae think I'd let ye take my bairns and not take me, did ye? Mary left me a letter, too, ye ken? Shift yerself, we need to go bring the wee little bairns home. It's time."
9
Bram
Even though I'm not happy with Mary's little plan, I'm proud of what a damn good job she did of ironing out any potential legal problems beforehand. Once Tessa quit being so obstinate and agreed to joint custody, things moved really quickly. It's only been a week since we signed the papers, but Tessa and I are now legal guardians of our niece and nephew. They're great kids. I get a lump in my throat when I look at Archie. He's so much like Mary. He has her sweet little grin that very often hides a playful prank he's pulled on his sister or one of us. Abbie is the spitting image of Tessa, which I'm not holding against the little sweetheart. She's very soft-hearted and worries about things way too much.
Because of Them: Heartfelt Romance Page 5