A Mother's Secret

by Gabrielle Meyer

  There was no wind, just hot, thick air. Chase tried to take a deep breath, but he struggled. He had been a disappointment to his father his whole life, but suddenly he realized that the trouble wasn’t with him—it was with his father. No one could ever please Malcolm Asher—no matter how much they tried. “I know exactly what you sacrificed for your work and I’m not willing to make the same mistake.”

  “Mistake?” Malcolm lifted his eyebrows. “Is running a multimillion-dollar company a mistake?”

  “No.” Chase shook his head. “But sacrificing a relationship with your son and pushing away everyone who ever loved you is a mistake.” He was sick to his stomach thinking about all the wasted years he and Joy could have had together. “But the biggest mistake of all is the one you’re making right now.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Threatening the future relationship with your granddaughters.”

  “They’re not my gr—”

  “They are—and they will continue to be yours for as long as you live.”

  His father inhaled a deep breath through his nose, his chest rising and then falling in a steady stream of air. “I’ve warned you before, Chase. If you want to inherit the Asher Corporation, and everything I’ve worked for—you will walk away from that woman today. If you don’t, you and I are finished.”

  It was the same ultimatum his father had given him last time, but this time, Chase knew what was more important. This time, he was a father and even though he’d only known for a few weeks, he was willing to do whatever it would take to protect his daughters.

  He’d learned the hard way what life looked like without Joy.

  Instead of fear his father, Chase felt sorry for him. “You’d sacrifice a relationship with your only child and grandchildren?”

  Malcolm Asher’s shoulders fell ever so slightly—but then he lifted them again and said, “I’ll do whatever I need for the company.”

  “And I’ll do whatever I need for the family.”

  “I am your family.”

  “You’re right—but so are those girls. And the best thing I can do for them is love them unconditionally and stand up to their grandfather.”

  His father stared at him for a long time. “You’d give up your inheritance for a woman and two little girls?”

  Chase shook his head. “No. I’m embracing my inheritance—a legacy of dedication, commitment and selflessness, which Uncle Morgan taught me and showed to Joy when I was not here to do it myself.”

  The look of contempt slipped away from his father’s face and he appeared truly baffled. “You don’t care about the Asher Corporation?”

  “I care very much—but if I have to choose, I choose family over business—and I have a feeling most Ashers would, too.”

  The first hint of cool air blew across the Mississippi and ruffled the leaves on the trees along the riverbank. A blue heron flew low across the water and a swarm of bugs danced over the surface.

  Chase faced his father, ready to do what he should have done all along. He would stand up for himself and those he loved.

  “Where does this leave us?” Malcolm asked.

  “I hope it leaves us as family.” Chase realized he was standing exactly like his father, his shoulders high, his back straight, his arms crossed. “I plan to stay in Timber Falls and make a home for my family.”

  The muscles in Malcolm’s cheek flexed and he studied Chase. “If you stay, you’ll have to do it on your own. You will be out of a job and out of my will. I will not give you Bee Tree Hill—or anything else you think you’re entitled to.”

  Chase had expected nothing more from his father. He wanted to pretend he wasn’t disappointed, but he was. “If that’s how you feel—”

  “I expect you to leave within seventy-two hours, as well.” His father lifted his chin. “As far as I’m concerned, you are no longer a part of the Asher Corporation. Your job is terminated, effective immediately.”

  Chase nodded. “And the festival?”

  His father waved aside the question. “How can I stop it now without looking like an ogre? Have your festival—but I want everyone gone in three days. No exceptions. If anyone remains, I will have them forcibly removed from the premises.”

  A heaviness overwhelmed Chase as he faced his father for the last time. “My door will always be open to you, if you change your mind.”

  Malcolm harrumphed and turned around to keep walking toward the carriage house. No doubt he’d give Mr. Tidwell a tour of the property and conduct his business as if nothing had happened—but even if he wouldn’t acknowledge the loss, Chase would.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Despite the heartache and the uncertainty, Joy stood with a smile on her face late the next afternoon as Bee Tree Hill hummed with activity. Hundreds of people had come to the estate to support Joy and the children and to celebrate the legacy of the Asher family in Timber Falls.

  As the sun made its descent in the western sky, all around her familiar faces glowed with excitement as people took house tours, sampled Mrs. Thompson’s caramel corn, apple pie, ice cream and freshly squeezed lemonade, played carnival games, took rides in vintage automobiles and visited with friends and neighbors. Her own children took great pride in sharing their home with the community and, even if it was just for one more day, she thanked God that they had a home to be proud of.

  Ryan, Jordan and Kodi played with their friends, while Kinsley and Harper were in the care of the teenage girls who had babysat them yesterday. Joy had kept them within her line of sight all day, though she had been too busy to play the games or sample the treats with them.

  Chase was busy helping with the silent auction, hauling supplies for Mrs. Thompson and greeting people who had come just to meet him. She had done a good job avoiding him since yesterday, which hadn’t been hard to do with all the preparation that had kept her busy into the wee hours of the morning.

  His father and the investor were still on the property, but had avoided making an appearance. No one mentioned Malcolm Asher’s presence and Joy was thankful for that. The less she had to interact with him, the better.

  “Tabitha!” Joy caught sight of her friend from church and opened her arms for a hug. “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

  Tabby Rutten pushed a long stroller containing her fifteen-month-old triplets. The little boys were dressed in identical blue jean shorts and blue-and-white-striped shirts. They wore wide-brimmed hats and watched the excitement of the festival with big blue eyes.

  “We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Tabby said as she hugged Joy. “Adam’s around here somewhere.” She shaded her eyes to look for her husband. “He’s more social than I am.”

  The boys were a handful and Tabby liked to stay close to home with them. She attended church, but rarely took the boys out to social events. Joy was honored that she’d come to her fund-raiser.

  Pastor Jacob and his daughter Maggie walked toward Joy. Maggie held a candied apple in one hand and a bag of cotton candy in the other. Jacob held her balloons and the doll she’d won at the fishing-pond game.

  “Tabby,” Pastor Jacob said, “it’s good to see you.”

  Maggie left her father’s side and knelt near the boys. She grinned, her mouth a sticky mess. “Hi,” she said to the babies.

  One of them reached for Maggie’s candied apple, but she pulled it away and said, “No, no, little boy.”

  The baby started to cry and Maggie’s little mouth turned down, as if she might cry, too.

  Tabby leaned over to pick him up. “Shh, Carter.” She bounced him and winked at Maggie. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”

  “Mags, why don’t you step away from the babies so they’re not tempted by your sweets?” Pastor Jacob said.

  Maggie did as she was told. When she was far enough away, her smile returned and she said, “Daddy, can I have a brothe
r?”

  Joy didn’t miss the sadness in Jacob’s eyes, but he smiled for his daughter’s sake. “I think I have my hands full with just one of you.”

  “You can come over any time you want,” Tabby said to Maggie, “and play with the boys.”

  “May I, Daddy?” Maggie asked, jumping up and down, her eyes shining with excitement.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Jacob said. “As long as you’re helpful and not more trouble for Mrs. Rutten.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be a lot of help.” Tabby set Carter on her hip and looked over the upper grounds of Bee Tree Hill. “You’ve had a wonderful turnout, Joy.”

  “We have.” Joy nodded, trying to savor the moment. “I had no idea so many people would come.”

  “You’re a blessed woman,” Pastor Jacob said with a genuine smile. “Wealthy beyond compare with friends who love you and your family.”

  It was true. Even if she couldn’t make enough money to save Bee Tree Hill, she was wealthy in the ways that mattered most.

  The alarm on Joy’s phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket to turn it off. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go close the silent auction.”

  She left Tabby, Pastor Jacob and the kids and walked to the tents set up on the north side of the lawn. Under the tents, a dozen tables were laden with the silent auction donations she’d collected.

  Chase was already there, pulling the auction sheets. A handful of people lingered to see if they won, and then walked away, leaving Chase and Joy alone.

  He stopped at one donation sheet and shook his head, a smile on his face.

  Joy started to work from the opposite end and pulled the papers—but then he noticed her and he held up the sheet he’d been smiling at.

  It was the bachelor auction, which Marcy Hanover had suggested—and won.

  “She bid an alarming amount of money,” Chase said.

  On the opposite side of the lawn, a small band began to play and the lights strung in the trees turned on. A dance was scheduled for the evening, and already children and a few older couples stepped onto the dance floor.

  A quick perusal of the other auction items showed Joy that everyone had bid high today. Warmth filled her chest as she finished pulling the papers.

  Chase reached her side and handed all the other sheets to her.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He stood close to her. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since yesterday.”

  “We’ve both been busy.” She focused on organizing the papers. The church secretary sat at a table near the entrance to Bee Tree Hill. She’d been there most of the day, selling tickets and overseeing all the money transactions. She had also volunteered to take the auction payments, so Joy needed to get the papers to her as soon as possible.

  “Did you make an offer on the farmhouse?” he asked.

  Joy finally looked at him. “Yes, last night.”

  He studied her, his eyes so blue and tender. “Was it accepted?”

  She swallowed and shuffled the papers again. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from Tom today.” She started to leave the tent. “I need to get these to Mrs. Anderson.”

  “Joy.” Chase stepped in front of her. “I’m sorry about my father—I know he said things yesterday—”

  “It’s fine—”

  “It’s not fine. I don’t know what he said, but I can imagine—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” She continued to move toward Mrs. Anderson. “The children and I will be gone the day after tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be gone then, too.”

  Joy pulled the papers close to her chest, and tried not to react to his statement. She knew he would eventually return to Seattle—so then why was she so disappointed?

  “I spoke to my father,” he said as he tried to keep up with her. “He gave me an—”

  “Chase!” Marcy Hanover waved at him, her voice high with excitement. She intercepted Chase, three of her friends hovering around her. “I won the auction, didn’t I?”

  Chase had no choice but to stop. “I believe you did.”

  “Wonderful.” Marcy wrapped her arm through his. “I wanted to chat about our date.”

  Joy continued to walk away from him. Whatever he had to say, she didn’t want to hear. She didn’t want to know what his father had offered him. A raise? A promotion?

  The music swirled around her as she handed the papers to Mrs. Anderson.

  When she turned back to the survey the scene, she found more of Marcy’s friends surrounding Chase.

  He looked her way, but she refused to meet his gaze.

  Instead, she looked for the girls. They were not by the games, or near the refreshment tables, and they were not on the dance floor.

  Her heart started to pound and she rushed toward the house. Maybe they had gone inside for some reason.

  She moved along the edge of the festival and entered the house, forcing herself to smile at a group of people as they finished their tour.

  Kinsley’s giggle met Joy’s ears before she saw her daughters in the front parlor with the teenagers who were watching them.

  Joy’s pulse evened out and she took a deep, steadying breath.

  “We’ll be starting the last tour of the day in five minutes,” one of the volunteers said in the foyer to a group who had just entered.

  The festival was almost over.

  All that was left was the dance, which would end in a few hours.

  She had been so focused on the festival the past two days, she hadn’t seriously given thought to how she would pack and move in forty-eight hours. Where would they go until she could purchase a home? She didn’t own any furniture, because she’d never lived on her own, but that presented more difficulties to overcome. Not only would she have to find a home, but she’d also have to furnish it, as well.

  A headache began to form and she stopped to take several deep breaths.

  She needed to focus on getting through the festival and then worry about the rest tomorrow.

  * * *

  The evening was now upon them and the upper lawn of Bee Tree Hill was lit by hundreds of white lights hanging from the trees. Chase stood on the outskirts of the crowd watching as people danced, laughed and visited under the charming lights. A gentle breeze drifted over the lawn, making the branches sway to the rhythm of the music.

  He searched the faces to find Joy, but she was not among them. It had been almost an hour since he’d seen her last when he had been intercepted by Marcy and her entourage. He had wanted to tell Joy about the conversation he’d had with his father, but decided it was probably best that they’d been interrupted. The conversation could wait for a more private moment when everyone was gone.

  The band played “Wonderful Tonight,” and Chase wished he could find Joy and ask her to dance. He still remembered what it felt like to dance with her the last time.

  The phone in his back pocket began to vibrate and he pulled it out. Aunt Constance. This was the call he’d been thinking about all day.

  Stepping away from the noise of the dance, Chase walked around the back side of the house and answered the phone. “Hello.”

  “Chase?” Aunt Constance was the oldest female relative of the Asher family, but she was by far the most important.

  “Hello, Aunt Constance.”

  “How are you, dear?” Her voice had aged along with her, though Chase knew she was still an active lady.

  “The festival I told you about has been an amazing success.” He wanted to talk to her about the other family members and what they wanted to do with Bee Tree Hill, but he knew she would be interested in hearing about the festival.

  “I knew the citizens would come out to support Bee Tree Hill. I still think of Timber Falls as home, even though I haven’t lived there for over eighty years now. They are some
of the very best people.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. I only wish I had grown up here.”

  “Sometimes you can’t choose how you begin, but you can choose how you end.”

  That was a truth Chase had come to embrace.

  “Which brings me to the reason for this call,” Aunt Constance said with a bit of excitement in her voice. “It’s taken me all day yesterday and today to call the rest of the family, but we’ve come to a very important decision.”

  The sounds of the festival faded away as Chase looked out over the lower lawn of Bee Tree Hill estate. It was dark, but fireflies floated on the breeze, offering flashes of light among the trees.

  “We all agree that Bee Tree Hill should be preserved and the history saved from an investor.”

  Chase’s pulse picked up speed. Alone, he could do nothing to stop his father, but with the backing of the rest of his family, Malcolm Asher would not have enough power to stand against them.

  “Everyone I spoke to has pledged a substantial amount of money to put into a trust,” Aunt Constance continued. “We want to maintain the property and save it for future generations of Asher family members.”

  “I’m speechless,” Chase said, shaking his head.

  “I personally called each board member of the Asher Corporation and told them our wishes, and they all agreed that they would not authorize your father to sell the property unless they had our consent.”

  Chase could hardly believe what he was hearing. All along, he and Joy had tried to save the property on their own, when all he needed was the support of his family to make it happen.

  “As part of the trust, we will take control of the property away from the corporation and put it into the hands of a board of trustees chosen from among our family.” He could hear a smile in her voice. “And when I told everyone about Miss Gordon and the work she’s done in the community, we all agreed that Bee Tree Hill should continue to be a place of refuge for children in need. Morgan was the first to open his door to help them, through Miss Gordon, and we want to honor that gesture by continuing that legacy. We plan to start a nonprofit organization for that purpose.”