“You know he was just trying to scare you.” He dragged her up to the sofa.
"I have to tell Kelly.” She dropped her hands on his knees and dug her nails into his leg. “I have to find an attorney." She sat up. “They won’t do this to Kelly, Brett. No matter how much money it costs me to fight them. They may have been able to control James, but they won’t win this.”
“That’s my girl.”
Another tear crept down her cheek. “I’m still afraid.”
"I know.”
He leaned back on the sofa, resting her head in his lap. Stroking her hair, he spoke in a low, soothing voice. "I’ll go with you to get Kelly."
"Thanks." The knots in her neck loosened under his fingers. "I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't have come over here."
"You know I'm always here for you."
“It feels like my life is out of control and I can’t do anything to fix it. You know I need order...”
“Calm down.” He hands moved in small circles.
"Can I stay here a while? I'm so tired." She closed her eyes and lay her arm across his leg. "I hate to take Kelly out of school early with this awful news."
"Of course you can." He scooted down a few inches, resting his head against the arm of the sofa. "I'll wake you up when it’s time to go.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“How’s she doing?” Brett asked.
“Amazingly well.” Allison cut off the bedroom light and slipped under the covers, taking the phone with her. “She understood her father more than I ever did. Why he did this. How much he was helping others. Even the risks of the mission.”
“They had a special relationship.”
“They did.” She turned on her side. “I never realized how much he actually taught her about what he was trying to do.”
“It’ll take a while, but she’ll be fine.”
“I promised to take her to North Carolina to where he’s buried, but I don’t know when. With all this other mess.”
She took a deep breath. “But I’m more determined than ever to fight his parents. He really did love Kelly. He may not have been the most conventional father, but he was a better person than his parents and I won’t let them ruin her memories.”
“It won’t be easy, but I think you can win.”
“Do you really?” She drew her knees up into her stomach. “They’re very determined and have access to very good lawyers.”
“You’ll have a good lawyer too.”
“How? I haven’t even begun to search.”
“I’ll help you.”
“I can’t ask you to do anymore than you already have. I’ll talk to the staff attorney at the bank, I‘m sure she can refer me to someone.”
“Just rest tonight, darling. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I think I will.” Her eyes drifted shut. “I’m very, very tired.”
“Come on in.”
Allison backed away from the front door to let Brett and Caroline in. He grabbed her in a hug. She resisted at first, Caroline was watching, but sank against his chest in exhaustion.
“Why don’t you go see Kelly, honey, and let me talk to Allison for a few minutes.”
“Sure Dad.” Caroline wandered down the hall.
He sat in the large chair in the family room and pulled Allison into his lap.
“I heard from the lawyer again today.” She snuggled in, realizing how she didn’t feel so alone against the messy, cruel world when he held her.
“Oh?”
“He’s really going for the intimidation factor now. Going on about how it’s up to me to prove James was the father and it’s going to be very difficult and this could get tied up in court for months if I fight it and get very expensive and on and on.”
She stretched her neck as Brett massaged the tense muscles. “I’m sure he knows I don’t come from money and he’s trying to scare me away.”
“That’s a typical tactic of some lawyers. But not all of them are like that.”
“I know. I asked Debra, our staff attorney, for some names. She’s working on it now.”
“I have an attorney for you.”
She sat up. “You found one?”
“One of the best.”
“Here in Tampa?”
He shook his head. “Virginia.”
“Virginia?” She raised her brows in surprise. “Who?”
“One of my dad’s partners.”
“Your dad’s a lawyer?”
Brett nodded. “I told you how Tylers are always lawyers or doctors, remember?”
“But you didn’t specifically say that your father was an attorney.”
“He is. A very good one actually.” He ran tiny circles down the side of her back. She slumped against his hand. “But he doesn’t handle this type of case. One of his partners does.”
“I can’t use a lawyer in Virginia...” Ahhhh that felt good. “And I certainly wouldn’t want you to ask for any favors for me from your family.”
“I already have.”
She sat straight again. “What?”
“I called my dad today and told him the situation and he talked to Michael. He’ll be happy to represent you.”
“Wait a minute, Brett.” Placing both hands on his chest, she shook her head. “I’m not sure about this.”
“Why? You need a very good attorney and Michael is one of the best in the country.”
“Well that makes it even crazier. Why would one of the top attorneys in the country want to handle a dinky case like mine?”
“Because I asked my Dad for a favor.”
“No, Brett. I won’t do it. You told me how much you don’t want to ask your family for favors and I know how important that is to you. We can find someone here.”
“You need one of the best. That’s Michael.”
“But...”
“Stop.” He drew her head to his shoulder and his voice softened. “I want to do this for you.”
“But he’s in Virginia and --”
“You have an appointment next Wednesday afternoon. We can fly up that morning.”
“I--.”
“Please let me do this for you.” He wrapped both arms around her. “I’ve never been able to use my family’s connections for anything that meant something to me. Now I finally can.”
“But it was so important to you to not to do that.”
“You’re more important.”
She closed her eyes, her heart filling with his words.
“And I’d like for you to spend Thanksgiving with my family the next day. If you will.”
His family? “But you said you wouldn’t go home for Thanksgiving.”
“It’s time for me to set some things straight with them. And avoiding them won’t solve anything. I want them to realize I’ll live my life the way I want, but that I still love them. They need to understand.”
“I think that’s wonderful,” her hand rested on his chest, “but if I decide to use this attorney, I’ll come back and let you be with your family alone.”
“Then I won’t stay either.”
“Brett.”
“Please, Allison.” He rubbed his chin along her hair. “I want you with me. I won’t ask you to listen to me talk to them, but it would help having you there.”
How could she refuse? He always supported her, was there for her. Especially now.
“Okay.”
“Kelly can come, too. Caroline will be flying up with us and then going to her mother’s.”
Kelly. She hated being away from Kelly on Thanksgiving. “It’d be best if Kelly stayed with my parents. This could be stressful and I don’t want her knowing too much about this. She’s suffered enough all ready.”
“I’m sorry you’ll miss Thanksgiving with her,” he slipped a warm hand under her hair and rubbed her neck with his thumb, “but this was the first appointment he had.”
“I want to solve this,” she said with resolve. “I can be with Kelly when we get back.”
>
“We’ll just go up Wednesday and come back Friday then. That should be enough Tyler family time for all of us.”
“Thanks.” She kissed his neck. “We can eat leftovers at my parents.
“And have a normal meal,” Brett sighed.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Allison, this my father.”
“Mr. Tyler. It’s so nice to meet you.” She lost her hand in Brett’s father firm grip. Amazing how much Brett looked like him. Mr. Tyler was a few inches shorter, but the same broad face and stern jaw. Even the same short brown hair, although Mr. Tyler’s was sprinkled with gray instead of blonde tips like Brett.
“Please, call me Curtis.”
He seemed pleasant enough. Not at all like the man Brett described.
“Come with me to the conference room. Michael’s waiting.” Curtis spoke to his secretary as they passed a large walnut desk. “Bring in some drinks please, Jessica.”
The woman hopped up at his request.
“I’ll wait out here, Allison.” Brett whispered.
“No.” Her eyes grew wide as she grabbed his arm. “Please come with me.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I need you.”
He smiled and followed her into the large, no...excessively large conference room. Cherry paneled walls and a long polished table. Money, money, money.
She should’ve asked how much this would cost.
Or maybe not.
Another expensive suit and exquisitely groomed man about the same age as Brett’s father rose from a high-backed leather chair. Michael Williams.
He strode forward, hand out, his confidence oozing. She could picture witnesses and unprepared opposing attorneys wincing at this imposing and aggressive man.
Her confidence level increased with his every move.
Curtis headed for the door after introductions. “Sorry I have to run, but I have another appointment. See both of you tonight at home.”
And the interrogation began.
“Are you ready to go in?”
Brett’s warm fingers covered Allison’s hand laying on the seat between them.
She nodded, the small motion increasing the pounding in her head. How much longer before she could take more aspirin?
They sat in the rental car in the drive of his parent’s house in Great Falls, Virginia. A three-story sprawling monstrosity of a brick home set back on a hill. The front yard was larger than Allison’s parent’s whole lot and the two next to them.
“It’ll work out, darling. I’m sure it will.” His eyes reflected the concern in his voice. She was blessed to know this man.
“I’m trying to think that. But Michael...well it was scary what he said.” The meeting had lasted only two hours, but it seemed like days.
He’d documented every detail of Allison’s relationship with James, back to when they first met and through the last time she’d seen him. Recounting her past had drained her emotions, but seemed to prove to Michael a pattern of caring between James and Kelly.
The lack of connection between James’ parents to Kelly also became painfully apparent. She had accepted their indifference toward their only grandchild long ago, but detailing it today made them sound even more pathetic than she remembered.
“He was just preparing you for the worst,” Brett said. “It could be a long fight if they persist on this paternity issue.”
“Why would they do this, Brett? I just don’t understand. The trust isn’t that large, compared to the amount of money they already have. And they accepted James as the father when Kelly was born.”
“They must be lonely, bitter people, Allison.” He squeezed her hand. “But you need to have faith in Michael.”
“If they didn’t want to prove James wasn’t Kelly’s father, I’d give up. Let them have the money. It’s just not important.”
He kissed her forehead. “There was a time in my life I thought I would never hear a woman say that.”
She would’ve smiled if what he said hadn’t been so sad.
“All I want is to have this over with, so I can put some order back in my life.” She looked up at him. “You know how I hate the unknown.”
“Trust me, I remember. Here’s the goal, here’s the plan and no wavering from the tasks at hand.”
“Am I really that bad?”
Was she that inflexible?
“You do have a tendency to want to be in charge.” He smiled. “I thought you would insist Michel draw up a project plan with exactly what he was going to do before you would leave the office this afternoon.”
Was she too controlling? She sighed. That’s what Brett was trying to escape. He couldn’t live within a strict plan and she couldn’t function without one.
“I think we’ve been spotted.” He nodded to the woman stepping out the side door leading to the driveway.
“Come on.” He grasped the door handle. “Time to be smothered by the Tylers.”
Mrs. Tyler was tall and elegantly thin. The wind whipped her short brown hair in her eyes, but she shoved it away with tapered fingers.
“Brett, I thought you’d never get here.” Mrs. Tyler hugged her son tightly. “It’s been too long.”
“I know Mom.” He patted her back. “But you need to let go so I can introduce Allison.”
“I’m so sorry. Where are my manners?” Mrs. Tyler brushed her son aside and reached for Allison’s hand. “It is so nice to meet you. And we’re thrilled you will be joining us for Thanksgiving.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tyler. I appreciate the invitation.”
“Call me Margaret, dear.” She stood between them and hustled them into the house. “Let’s go inside before you freeze. I know you’re not used to this cold weather.”
They followed Margaret through the immaculate kitchen. Dark wooden cabinets reflected the light from the floor to ceiling windows off the breakfast nook. Green and yellow cotton rugs scattered around the floor softened the gleaming off-white Italian tiles and coordinated with the flowered wallpaper.
Decorator, but still homey.
“Brett, you take Allison up and show her to her room.”
They passed through swinging doors at the end of the kitchen into a hallway leading to the front entryway. A family portrait, when the boys were teenagers, hung on one wall and a crystal vase of fall flowers sat on a rectangular marble-topped table by the double front doors.
“I had Grandmother Tyler’s room made up.” Margaret glanced at Allison as she led them across the hardwood floor. “I know you want to freshen up. And then both of you come back down and visit with me. I can’t wait to catch up on everything.” She stopped at the foot of the stairs and patted Brett’s arm. “Hurry up, dear.”
“Yes, mother.” He nudged her with his elbow. “Why don’t you go see if you have a beer I might like and...” he looked toward Allison, “you want a beer or some wine?”
“I’ll—“ Allison began.
“Don’t you make her decide, Brett. We have both.” Margaret fluttered off, still talking. “I’ll be waiting.”
Allison looked back at Brett.
He laughed. “She’ll exhaust you just talking to her, won’t she?”
It was obvious Brett loved his mother. No matter how much he complained, he cared very deeply.
“She does have a lot of energy.” Allison headed up the stairs. “But I like her. She reminds me of my mother a little bit.”
“She’s nothing like your mother.” Brett followed her up the wide carpeted stairs to a landing with more furniture than Allison’s living room. “Your mother’s so easy to get along with.”
She whirled around. “Your mother seems very nice.”
“Uhhhoh. Looks like she already has you under her spell.” He motioned to some doors at the end of a long hall. “This way.”
“I don’t know what could possibly be wrong with me getting along with your mother.”
“You’ll see.”
What was his problem? Margaret was...Allis
on stopped in the doorway of the room Brett had entered.
“Oh my. This is beautiful,” she said in a hushed tone.
Pale blue carpet flowed under mahogany antique furniture. A four-poster rice bed dominated the center of the room. Allison ran her fingers along the white damask cotton coverlet as she wandered to the windows at the rear of the room.
“What a gorgeous view.” The back yard sloped to a creek running in front of woods. She looked back to Brett. “A wonderful view from a wonderful room.”
“It was my grandmother’s for a few years.” Brett wrapped his hand around the carved bedpost and sat on the edge of the mattress. A peaceful look crossed his face. “She lived with us the last two years of her life and this was her furniture from her house.” He ran his hand down the old wood. “I spent a lot of hours up here, listening to stories about her and my grandfather.” He dropped his hand. “I was only five when he died, so I only knew him from stories.” He smiled. “According to my grandmother, he was quite a character.”
“You must have loved her very much.”
Brett nodded. “Yes. I think she understood me more than the rest of the family. She encouraged me to do whatever made me happy, not just what was expected of me.”
He slid off the bed and cleared his throat. “Well, let’s drop off my bag and then get down there. If we don’t, Mom will be up here looking for us.” He held out a hand. “Come with me.”
He led her to the room next to hers and she stood at the door while tossed his garment bag on the bed.
“Was this your room?”
“Yeah.“ He stood in the center of the room with his hands on his hips, looking around. “Same furniture, but all my stuff was packed away.” He shook his head. “Can’t blame them, it was a real mess. Sport’s stuff everywhere. My mother hated it.”
“Kind of like your house?” Allison teased.
“I know. I need to be neater.” He walked toward her. “Or get a maid.”
Hugging her, he whispered in her ear. “Our rooms are on the opposite side of the house from my parents. A little bit of privacy.”
She tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “Don’t get any ideas, Brett. We are going to behave in your parent’s house.”
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