A Mother's Secret

by Gabrielle Meyer

  Chase couldn’t stop grinning.

  “The Bible tells us that true religion is helping widows and orphans in their need,” Aunt Constance said, “and that’s what we want to do through Bee Tree Hill. What do you think of that?”

  “I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

  “Good.” She sounded pleased. “Because we would like to offer you the job as the executive director of the estate and organization, with an annual income that will match the one you’re currently receiving from the Asher Corporation. If you accept, we can work out the details later. The family hopes to meet at the estate within the next month to have our first annual reunion and the first meeting for the Bee Tree Hill Trust and organization.”

  It wouldn’t take Chase another moment to consider her offer. “I will gladly become the executive director.”

  “Wonderful! That’s what we were all hoping to hear.”

  “And I will have everything ready for the family reunion next month.” He hadn’t seen his extended family since a funeral several years ago. “I am already looking forward to seeing everyone again.”

  “And we’re all looking forward to being at Bee Tree Hill with you. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that the Asher family will continue to live on the property and perpetuate the legacy our parents started there over a hundred and twenty years ago.”

  “I hope I make everyone proud.”

  “You already have, Chase.” She paused and then said, “Would you like me to tell your father our plans?”

  Chase glanced toward the carriage house. The lights were on inside and he was fairly certain his father was there discussing the sale of the property with Mr. Tidwell at this very moment. “No. I will tell him.” As the executive director, he would have to start asserting his authority—and his father seemed like the best place to start.

  “Fine.” She let out a contented sigh. “I will sleep well tonight, my dear, knowing Bee Tree Hill is once again in the hands of someone who will love it and use it for the purpose it was created—a home. I hope your Miss Gordon will be pleased.”

  “She will be more than pleased.” Chase couldn’t wait to tell Joy the good news. He couldn’t think of a more perfect gift to offer her when he told her he loved her and asked her to marry him—something he should have followed through with four years ago. “I will talk to you soon about the reunion.”

  “I look forward to it, Chase. Good night.”

  “Good night.” He tapped the red icon and slipped his phone back in his pocket. He wanted to run to Joy and the children, pull them all into his arms and tell them they never had to fear leaving Bee Tree Hill again—but first, he would have to talk to his father.

  His good mood slipped and he had to square his shoulders. It would not be a pleasant conversation, and his father might never speak to him again, but Chase was willing to do whatever was necessary for his family.

  He walked over the uneven lawn and down the hill toward the carriage house. The fireflies continued to dance and the sound of the band drifted on the breeze to Chase’s ears. He took the stairs up to the apartment above the garage two at a time and opened the door into the kitchen.

  His father sat at the table with Mr. Tidwell, several pieces of paper before them.

  “Chase.” His father looked up, a scowl on his face. “What time is the band done playing?”

  “Ten o’clock.”

  “Make it nine. Mr. Tidwell and I have an early plane to catch in the morning.”

  Chase closed the door behind him and walked toward the table. All his life, his father had dictated his moves—but not anymore. “The city allows music to be played until ten o’clock.”

  “I own this property.”

  Sighing, Chase put his hands on the back of the chair. “Actually, the family owns this property.”

  “What?”

  “Mr. Tidwell, will you please excuse us once again? I need to speak to my father privately.”

  “Of course.” Mr. Tidwell rose and gathered up a few pieces of paper.

  Malcolm also rose and sent a scathing look in Chase’s direction before he turned a charming smile to Tidwell. “I will have all the contracts drawn up tonight and we’ll sign them tomorrow before we leave for the airport.”

  “That’s fine. Good night.” Tidwell left the kitchen.

  “What now?” Malcolm asked Chase, crossing his arms. “Have you come to your senses?”

  Chase straightened his back and faced his father. “I just spoke to Aunt Constance.”

  Malcolm rolled his eyes. “I’m sure she has an opinion about what will happen with the family antiques here at Bee Tree Hill.”

  It didn’t pay to make this last longer than necessary. Chase wanted to tell Joy the good news as soon as possible.

  “Aunt Constance has spoken to all the Asher family members,” Chase said, “and they have come to a decision about Bee Tree Hill.”

  Malcolm narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything.

  “They have each pledged a substantial amount of money to start a trust fund for the property and they want to keep it in the family. They plan to start a nonprofit organization to minister to the widows and orphans in Timber Falls, and they have asked me to be the executive director of the estate and the organization.”

  “What?”

  “Aunt Constance called the board of directors at the Asher Corporation to tell them her plans for the estate—you will not be authorized to sell the property without their consent.”

  Malcolm worked his jaw back and forth as he watched Chase. For the first time in Chase’s life, his father could not control the outcome of a situation. It must be infuriating for him.

  Chase took a step toward his father, hoping to salvage some kind of relationship. “I still hope we can continue—”

  “Stop.” Malcolm put up his hand. “It looks like you’ve won. I will accept their decision and leave immediately.”

  “You don’t have to leave.” Chase shook his head. “I want you to stay and get to know Joy and the kids bet—”

  “No. I will tell Mr. Tidwell that the plans have changed. We will return to Minneapolis tonight and stay at a hotel.”

  “That’s not necessary, Dad. You’re always welcome at Bee Tree Hill. It’s just as much your home as it is mine.”

  “I want nothing to do with this place a moment longer.” He started to move past Chase, so Chase stepped aside.

  “I hope you change your mind.”

  “I won’t.” He stopped close to Chase. “Tidwell and I will be gone in the next twenty minutes and you will not see me at Bee Tree Hill ever again.”

  It felt like his father’s last ultimatum.

  “I love you, Dad,” Chase said slowly. “But I am a grown man and I need to make the best decisions I can for my own children. I’m staying in Timber Falls. I just hope you can come to terms with that choice.”

  His father stared at him for a moment, and then said, “We’ll see.” With that, he turned and left the kitchen.

  It wasn’t what Chase had hoped for, but at least it was a start.

  Now he had a much more enjoyable conversation ahead of him, and he chose to think about that, instead.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The festival was coming to an end, and with it, the last evening she might have at Bee Tree Hill. A cool breeze blew across Joy’s face as she walked through the upper lawn of the estate. Soft music encircled the remaining group of friends, neighbors and strangers who had stayed for the dance. She smiled at them as she passed, thankful for their love and contribution to her dream.

  Mrs. Anderson still sat under the tent near the entrance to the property, a lantern offering her light. Her husband stood nearby, tapping his toe to the music as Mrs. Anderson wrote on a piece of paper.

  “Joy,” Mr. Anderson said when she was close. “Th
is has been one of the nicest days I can remember. Thank you for opening your home to all of us. It’s the first time I’ve felt a real connection with Timber Falls’ history.”

  It probably wouldn’t be her home for much longer, but she understood his sentiment. “I’m glad,” she said instead. “I hope everyone remembers how important the Asher family has been to Timber Falls.”

  “I’m just about finished tallying these numbers,” Mrs. Anderson said from her spot at the table. She scratched a few more numbers on the sheet of paper and then folded it in half. She stood and stretched, and then took a bank envelope off the table and handed it to Joy with the sheet of paper.

  “Thank you for all your help today,” Joy said with deep appreciation. “I don’t know what I would have done without you and everyone else who helped.”

  “Oh, I’m happy to do it, dear.” She patted Joy’s cheek.

  “If you’re all done with her,” Mr. Anderson said, extending his hand toward his wife, “I think I’ll take my bride to the dance floor.”

  “Please,” Joy said, “enjoy yourself.”

  Mrs. Anderson smiled and slipped her hand into her husband’s as they walked off to enjoy the remaining festivities.

  The piece of paper in Joy’s hand held the final count the festival had earned. Joy knew down to the last penny how much she still needed to match the amount the assessor had valued the property at—and she knew it would be practically impossible that the festival had earned that much money. But the seed of hope still flourished in her heart and she took a deep breath before she opened the paper.

  Headlights flashed in her eyes and she had to turn her head away from the bright light.

  Mr. Asher’s silver BMW crested the top of the hill and moved slowly around the circular drive. Several people had to step aside to let the vehicle pass, and everyone on the dance floor stopped dancing.

  Frowning, Joy watched as the car came around the circle and passed by her.

  Malcolm Asher glared at her from inside his car, but he did not slow down or stop.

  Joy’s heart pounded at the sight of his car leaving the property. It was too dark to see who sat beside him—but the memory of the last time he left Bee Tree Hill flooded her with the guilt and shame he had inflicted upon her. He’d accused her of horrible things both times she’d faced him—but this time, she was prepared for the hurt he caused—almost expected it. If Chase was in that car with him, or if he wasn’t too far behind in his rented Jeep, Joy wouldn’t allow his betrayal to cut her so deeply this time. She would be a pillar of strength for her children.

  But even as she told herself those things, she didn’t believe them. Pain sliced through her like it had last time, causing her legs to grow weak.

  What if Chase left again? What would she tell her daughters? They knew he was their daddy—she could never change that. Had she been foolish to tell them the truth?

  The car turned out of the property, and the dancing resumed, but Joy was still shook up. She couldn’t think about Malcolm Asher or what had happened in the past. She had to think about her current problem—and that was housing.

  Shifting aside all the pain and confusion, she took the seat Mrs. Anderson had just occupied and finally opened the sheet of paper to look at the total amount.

  A staggering number was written on the paper. In all her wildest dreams, she couldn’t imagine the festival raising such a sum of money, and she had each and every person there to thank.

  Yet it wasn’t nearly enough, just as she’d expected.

  Despite her best efforts, and all the work she and Chase had done to save Bee Tree Hill, she had run out of time and didn’t have enough money to buy the property.

  She had tried to prepare herself for this moment—tried to keep her chin up and her hope alive—but the feeling of defeat and disappointment was strong and swift. She had let down the children, and would now have to move them to a different home, even though she had promised herself that she wouldn’t raise them the way she had been raised, going from home to home.

  At least she had the farmhouse to think about.

  Her phone dinged and she pulled it from her pocket. A text from Tom stared back at her with more bad news. Her offer had not been accepted.

  Tears burned in her eyes and she forced herself to take a deep breath. God wouldn’t abandon her and the children now. If He didn’t want her to have the farmhouse, then He must have a better plan.

  A neighbor waved at Joy from the dance floor, laughing and smiling. Other people on the edge of the floor swayed to the music. Ryan, Jordan and Kodi played tag in the shadows of the lawn, and the light in the girls’ bedroom was burning bright where their babysitters had taken them to get ready for bed.

  But it was Chase, walking across the lawn, who caught and held her attention. He was so confident and comfortable here at Bee Tree Hill. He greeted those he passed with a nod or a quick hello—but he didn’t stop to talk to anyone.

  Instead, he walked with purpose toward Joy. He wore a pair of khaki pants and a loose button-down shirt, rolled at the sleeves.

  He was still on the estate—he hadn’t left with his father—and by the purpose and determination in his walk, it didn’t look like he was leaving anytime soon.

  There wasn’t a man in Timber Falls who was as handsome as Chase, and she wished, with all her heart, that she didn’t love him like she did. It was too hard to guard her heart from him. He had won it, just like before, and she had no one to blame but herself.

  Joy stood when he drew near. They were removed from the dance floor, under the shadows of the tent, with only a soft lantern for light, but the sound of the music still swirled around her.

  “I’ve been looking all over for you,” Chase said tenderly, his blue eyes full of immeasurable joy. There was a glow about him that she didn’t understand.

  “Mrs. Anderson tallied up the final amount.” Joy swallowed the truth that tried to choke her. “We failed. There isn’t enough money here to save Bee Tree Hill.”

  “We didn’t fail, Joy.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean? We can’t possibly buy this place.”

  He took a step closer to her, a gentle smile tugging up his lips. “Even if we wanted to, it’s no longer for sale.”

  Joy couldn’t meet his gaze as disappointment surged through her. His father must have completed the sale with the investor and that’s why they left. But why was Chase so happy? Wasn’t he as disappointed as her? Or had his help these past few weeks been a ploy to manipulate her?

  “I suppose you’ll be going back to Seattle then,” she said coolly. Was that why he was so pleased?

  “I can’t go back to Seattle. I made a promise to you and the kids.” He gently lifted her face until she looked him in the eyes. “I plan to stay in Timber Falls permanently, just like I said.”

  “What about your father? Didn’t he make you choose?”

  “I told him I choose you and the girls—and the boys, if they want me.”

  Joy could hardly believe what he was saying. “Y-you choose us?”

  He nodded. “Every day for the rest of my life.”

  The love she felt for him expanded until it overwhelmed her and she had to bite her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

  “I love you, Joy,” he said, taking another step closer to her. “I never stopped loving you.” He ran his thumb over her cheek and wiped away a tear she hadn’t noticed. “I’m sorry about the past. If I could go back and change what happened, I would. But all I can change now is the future.” He put his other hand on her other cheek and looked deep into her eyes. “Will you marry me and let me love you for the rest of my life?”

  In the past, Joy would have doubted his words—doubted his intentions and promise—but now, knowing he had chosen her and the children over his father and his life in Seattle, she allowed her heart to open to him lik
e never before.

  With more tears, Joy nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I will.”

  His smile was wide and glorious. He lowered his lips and kissed her like he used to. His lips were sweet, yet firm and he wrapped her in his arms as he caressed her mouth with his own. It felt like no time had passed since he’d last kissed her.

  It didn’t bother her if anyone watched. She loved Chase Asher and she didn’t care if everyone in Timber Falls knew the truth.

  Pulling away, she smiled up at him and spoke the words she’d longed to say for years. “I love you, Chase.”

  “I love you, too, Joy.”

  Suddenly, nothing else mattered. Even though they hadn’t saved Bee Tree Hill, they had saved their relationship and their little family.

  “You’ve given me the greatest gift of my life,” Chase said, nodding toward the boys and then looking up at the girls’ room. “The children.” He held her close, the awe in his eyes endearing him to her even more. “So now I want to give you a gift—though it pales in comparison.”

  Curious, she waited quietly for him to continue.

  “Several of my family members have pooled together their resources to save Bee Tree Hill,” he said. “They are creating a trust fund to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the property, and they are also starting a nonprofit organization to help widows and orphans in Timber Falls.”

  Joy stared at him, trying to process what he had said.

  “And they’ve asked me to stay here and be the executive director of the estate and organization.”

  “You get to stay at Bee Tree Hill?” She could hardly believe what he was saying.

  “We get to stay,” he corrected, bending down to rest his forehead against hers. “For as long as we like. This property belongs to the Asher family and that’s exactly who we are.”

  A feeling started to grow within Joy that she had never felt before. A sense of belonging budded and then quickly bloomed. She would be a part of the most respected and well-established family in Timber Falls. No longer would she be known as the abandoned, unwanted child of her past—from now on, she would be an Asher because Chase loved her and she loved him.