by A. J. Wynter
"I think I am now." He said. "The old man and I had a few heart-to-hearts once he found out that I had knocked you... I mean, that he found out that we were, um, expecting. If I can be half the man that Floyd was to our son, I'd be proud."
Sydney gripped his hand, "Why does everyone think we're having a boy?"
A stranger dressed in a well-tailored black suit approached the duo, "I'm sorry to interrupt Mr. Ryder, I'm Mr. Peabody."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Peabody," Russ said extending his good hand. Sydney held him around his waist, so he didn't topple over. "This is Sydney."
"Pleased to meet you, Sydney," he said and shook her hand.
"How did you know Floyd?" Russ asked.
The man looked a little uncomfortable and pulled at his dark blue necktie. "Is there somewhere quiet we could talk?"
"We can step outside if you'd like," Russ offered. "It is a little stuffy in here."
As the man turned, Russ faced Sydney, pursed his lips and shook his head, signaling that he didn't know who this Mr. Peabody was, or what he wanted. Sydney grabbed Russ's cane and passed it to him, so they could follow.
Once outside the stuffy room, the breeze provided a little respite from the heat and the three of them sat outside on a bench.
"I'm Mr. Smithton’s lawyer. Should we speak alone?”
“I tell Sydney everything anyway, so she might as well be here to understand what you have to say.”
“Fine then,” he shook his head and continued, “Mr. Smithton came to visit me a few weeks ago to draft his will." Mr. Peabody set a soft-sided briefcase on his lap and pulled out a manila envelope and handed it to Russ. "Floyd's only heir is deceased. He left Blackgum to you, Russ."
"Really?" Russ said. "I always thought that there had to be some long-lost family out there. Seems sad that Floyd didn't have anyone."
"From what I hear, he had you. He's instructed me to sever off ten acres of the farm to give to a Mary Snodlen, and you're to keep her on as a cook as long as she wants to do it. You're the legal landowner, so you are going to have to proceed with the severance with my guidance."
"Yes sir, I can do that. But I'm surprised that's all that he's leaving to Mary."
The man took off his glasses and stared at Russ. "Son, do you know how much Blackgum and its acreage is worth?"
"Hadn't really thought about it," Russ mused and stroked his chin. "The main house should probably be torn down, but I supposed the bison are worth a fair bit."
"Mary's portion of the ranch is going to be worth one hundred thousand dollars."
"One hundred thousand..." Russ's voice trailed off. "So, that means the rest of the ranch is worth..." Sydney could see the awe in Russ's eyes and was glad when Mr. Peabody interrupted. "Your ranch is worth at least two million dollars, Russ."
"I can't..., I mean, what? Two million?" Russ stammered.
"You will have to come in as soon as you can to start the paperwork," Mr. Peabody said and stood. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Russ strained to push himself to his feet, he took off his hat and shook Mr. Peabody's hand, "Thank you, sir."
Sydney and Russ watched the lawyer walk away. Russ had tears in his eyes, "I would give two million dollars to have Floyd back."
"I know you would, Russ. I know." Sydney swept his hair behind his ear and kissed the tear off his cheek. "Should we go?"
Russ nodded. "What about Lainey?" he asked.
"Oh, I think that she'll be just fine," Sydney smiled, knowing that Lainey would be in her element with three cowboys fighting over her.
The two of them walked slowly away from the church down the tree-lined streets until they got to Old Red. Russ hobbled to the driver's side and opened the door, "M'lady." He said and opened the door for Sydney.
"You've got to be kidding. I may be pregnant, but you're the one with the broken leg. I'm helping you into the truck." Sydney shut the door without giving Russell time to protest and scampered over to the passenger side to tug on the heavy rusty door. Russ grimaced as he eased himself into the passenger seat.
Sydney hopped into the truck, pumped the gas a couple of times and prayed as she turned the key. The old truck roared to life, and when it sputtered, Sydney pumped the gas, revving the engine.
"That's so sexy. I'll never get tired of seeing you start this old truck," Russ smiled.
"Where to, cowboy?" she asked.
"Blackgum," said Russ. "Home."
The end.
Also By A.J. Wynter
The Untouched Series
The Biker’s Virgin
The Mountain Man’s Virgin
Forgetting the Rancher
The Billionaires of Torver Corporation Series
The Boardroom: Johnathan, The Billionaires of Torver Corporation, Book 1
The Boardroom: Kirk, The Billionaires of Torver Corporation, Book 2
The Boardroom: Cassidy, The Billionaires of Torver Corporation, Book 3
One Perfect Professor, The Billionaires of Torver Corporation, Book 4
One Perfect Christmas, The Billionaires of Torver Corporation, Book 5 (Coming December 2018)
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