The Inheritance

by Ali Vali

  “He’s been after us to redo our wills and iron some stuff out, so be nice to me or I’ll cut you right out of the lifetime opportunity to fish tuna I’m leaving you.”

  “Ha,” Syd said, making Tucker pull the phone away from her ear it was so loud. “I want cash or nothing, but do me a favor and don’t die anytime soon. It would take me forever to train someone new.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’ll do my best.” The rig was in sight, and there was a supply boat moored to one of the structure’s legs, making her bleed off speed. “Take my Amex card and treat yourself to a massage or something that won’t bankrupt us. It’ll loosen you up for the weekend.”

  “You’re the best, Tucker.” Syd made kissing noises into the phone. “At least, that’s what Sage Beniot told me.” Syd’s laugh was deep and sexy. “Tell me, does she taste better with a name like Sage?”

  “Zip it before I have no choice but to send you to sexual harassment sensitivity classes.” She laughed at Syd’s ability to come up with teasing remarks usually aimed at her active social life. The latest woman in her life, Sage, had been her date to the trade show she’d attended in October, and she wasn’t overly clingy so she was still around. Occasionally.

  “I’ll go when Jim Bob stops chasing me around my desk.”

  “I could probably get a group rate on you two.” The crew of the supply boat waved as they pulled away, so she idled until they were clear. “Enjoy your massage, darlin’, and I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Don’t forget, you’re expected at the Mardi Gras thing tomorrow. I had your tux cleaned, and it’ll be in your closet.”

  “You’re too good to me, Syd.”

  “I am, but you deserve it for not chasing me around the desk.”

  “I’ll remember that, but I’ve got to go before I crash the expensive boat into the even more expensive rig.”

  “Sage’s father would be thrilled if you did either. He’d love the repair work.”

  “I’m sure he would, but Jim Bob would never let me live it down.” She hung up and skillfully tied up after the crew put the bumpers in place. “Send the winch down, fellas.”

  “What’s on the menu?” one of the guys yelled down.

  “Tuna, which means light the pit without blowing us to hell.” She went down for a quick shower and changed into jeans and a sweater. Louisiana didn’t really have much cold weather, but the wind on the water made it chilly in November.

  Jim Bob was waiting when she came out, and he was looking at his phone like something was wrong. “Everything okay?” she asked, sliding her watch onto her wrist.

  “Family stuff.” He put the phone in his pocket.

  Those two words were code for problems, and she hated to see the fun bleed out of him. As successful as Jim Bob was in business, he was equally unsuccessful at home. His obvious misery ate away at Tucker, but she really couldn’t do anything about it. Her brother was the only one who could make the kind of changes that would solve all those problems, but he’d hung in there. For what, she wasn’t sure.

  “Forget about that shit for now, and let’s go enjoy your fish.”

  He nodded and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Are you on my side, Tucker?”

  She pulled him in for a hug. “No matter what or against who, I’ve got your back, brother—never worry about that.”

  * * *

  Willow Vernon stood at the corner of Poydras and St. Charles in the Central Business District in New Orleans, waiting for the light to change. She’d finally finished the specs for the new pipeline they were setting up on the coast in Port Fourchon, and she was celebrating with her sister, Monique. They worked in buildings catty-corner to each other, only Monique was a paralegal for a law firm that specialized in oil field contracts and leases, and Willow worked for one of the majors, Suntrust Oil, as an engineer.

  “Maybe we’ll have two things to celebrate since she said she had big news.” Willow spoke to herself softly as she made her way across to the InterContinental Hotel. Monique was already seated, and from first glance, Willow could tell something was off.

  “Hey.” She leaned down and kissed Monique’s cheek and hugged her from behind. “Have you been waiting long?”

  “I just beat you, but I took the day off. You could’ve taken your time.”

  The new restaurant was known for oysters, but Monique had ordered a huge plate of french fries that the waiter delivered as Willow took her coat off and sat down. “Now I know there’s something wrong. You never do carbs unless it’s something really bad.”

  She and her sister had inherited their mother’s petite frame, blondish-red hair, green eyes, and curves. The whole package made them noticeable, but the short curse—as they called their height—meant they’d both spent a lifetime dieting to prevent their curves from smoothing out into a more ball-like appearance. It was their joke that french fries were of the devil’s making and could only be enjoyed sparingly. That these had butter and Parmesan cheese on them meant there was something like an IRS audit or a colonoscopy in Monique’s future.

  “I don’t know if I’d describe it as really wrong—it’s more of a shock than anything else.” Monique put two fries in her mouth and smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes.

  “You aren’t wanted by the police, are you?” She took half the plate if only to save Monique the guilt of devouring two pounds of potatoes by herself. “If you are, start praying they serve these in prison. They’re delicious.”

  “Don’t get upset, okay?” Monique put another fry in her mouth as if for courage.

  “In my experience, no good conversation ever started with that phrase.” Willow exhaled, and all the great feelings of finishing her first really big project whooshed out of her with a lungful of air.

  “I’m pregnant,” Monique said in a rush, like she was ripping a Band-Aid off a bad wound.

  “You’re…pregnant?” she asked slowly before her coughing fit started from swallowing wrong. It took a few minutes for her wheezing to stop, and she stared at Monique through teary eyes. “Tell me how that’s possible before I embarrass myself by vomiting cheesy fries on this table.”

  “You graduated top in your class. I hope you learned a little anatomy as well as all that math.”

  The joke made her laugh, and she moved to sit by her sister. “We talk almost every day, and not once have I heard about a date, much less a guy you’ve seen often enough to have gotten pregnant. If it was a one-night stand, I’ll still love you, but it’ll shock the hell out of me.”

  “I’m not a nun, thank you very much. And everyone is entitled to a few secrets.”

  “I love you, but seriously?” She moved closer, not wanting to be overheard. “This isn’t the time for secrets. Unless… Oh. My. God.” She said the words slowly and with plenty of emphasis.

  “What?” Monique covered her hand and squeezed her fingers.

  “Please tell me it’s not Jefferson’s.”

  “My boss Jefferson?” Monique laughed and slapped her arm. “His wife would skin him if he stepped one foot out of her control. Not to mention I’d be in fear for my life. That woman is downright scary.”

  “Um, let’s focus.” She tapped her finger against Monique’s forehead. “You’re going to have to tell me who, then, because I’m not playing the guessing game.”

  “Would you hate me if I don’t tell you right away?” Monique shook her head and pressed her fingers against Willow’s mouth. “I need to wrap my head around this, so I need some time to process it before I can really talk about it.”

  “Monique, I love you, but have you really thought this through? You know what the doctor said.”

  “I’ve had my numbers under control for months, and we shouldn’t concentrate on that right now. This is happy news.” It sounded as if Monique was trying to convince herself as well as Willow.

  She smiled and nodded, hoping she looked calmer than she felt. “It is, sweetie, but it’s not worth the risk.”

  “I know all the risk facto
rs, and that’s all I’ve thought about since I heard the news.” Monique shook her head. “It’s something I’ve always wanted, and I’m obviously capable of, but Dr. Smith’s voice keeps running through my head like some kind of broken record. It’s damn annoying.”

  “Kate only has your best interest at heart. Are you thinking of ending the pregnancy?” she asked gently.

  Monique was careful and took great care of herself, but she’d been a diabetic since she’d been five, and it was a bear trying to keep her insulin levels consistent. Pregnancy was something the doctor had warned her not to try since it’d put way too much strain on her kidneys and heart. In a way, Monique had been her mother from an early age since their own mother had been ill for so long, but Willow knew having a baby was something her sister wanted to experience.

  “What? No.” Monique grabbed more fries. “I’m thinking about how I didn’t plan this, and how I’m going to work it all out. Ending the pregnancy is off the table, so drop it.”

  “I want to go to the doctor with you. A baby is happy news, but not if it comes at the expense of your life.” Monique was the only family she had left, except for a couple of aunts on her father’s side they never saw. The thought of losing her made her ill.

  “It’s going to be fine, so just be happy for me.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I am. No matter what, I’m going to take care of you, and I’ll be thrilled to be an aunt.” She stood and hugged her sister again. “I love you, and I’ll always be here for you, but don’t expect me to shirk my responsibilities when it comes to taking care of you.”

  “I know that, but I can’t help but be happy.”

  “Then I’m happy for you.”

  Chapter One

  Present Day

  “Do you want me to take care of it?” Bubba Delacroix asked Tucker.

  James Robert Delacroix Junior had graced them with his presence in the office on a Monday morning, but Tucker wasn’t an idiot. The only reason Bubba was volunteering for the assignment he’d brought to her attention was because it was in Costa Rica. He loved fishing and drinking more than anything to do with the office or any job, and Costa Rica had some of the best sport fishing in the world. It didn’t hurt that the country was as well stocked with good rum and beautiful women as its waters were with fish.

  “No, I don’t, but I do want to go over some of these expenses you want to be reimbursed for.” She held the stack of receipts adding up to fifteen grand the accounting department had sent up for approval, considering the amount. Impressive for a quick weekend away. “What the hell, Bubba?”

  “I was entertaining clients.” Whenever her nephew got defensive and couldn’t look her in the eye, it was time to start paying attention.

  “Give me a list of the clients, and I’m going to follow up with their bosses. We keep this up and every fucker doing business with us will be over here looking for a good time. Because this much money adds up to a really fucking good time.” She handed over a copy of all the expenses and pointed at him. “If any of them are bullshit, make sure you take them out and give accounting a check.”

  “Come on, Aunt Tucker,” Bubba said, trying his best to laugh it off. “You and Dad have a good time every chance you get.”

  “Gret,” she said, holding up a hand as she spoke to their comptroller Gretchen Daigle on the speakerphone.

  “What can I do for you, boss?”

  “That stack of expenses,” she said, taking her copies and tossing them in the trash. The move made Bubba smile and do the same with his copies. “Take it out of Bubba’s pay. The whole enchilada.”

  “You got it.”

  “Wait the fuck up.” Bubba slammed his hands on her desk. “You can’t do that.”

  “Do what?” Jim Bob asked when he walked in. Their offices were across from each other with hers facing the river, and his overlooking the city.

  “Taking his fun weekend out of his pay. You play, you pay,” she said.

  “Pop says that all the time,” Jim Bob said, laughing. “How much are we talking?”

  “Fifteen grand and change.”

  “For fuck’s sake, son. What the hell were you doing?” Jim Bob sounded disgusted, and that only seemed to make Bubba angrier.

  Jim Bob had married his college girlfriend right after graduation because she’d told him she was pregnant, and he’d done what any stand-up guy would’ve. To his surprise, Bubba hadn’t shown up until eleven months later, which meant Ivy had been lying. That she tricked him should’ve been the end of it, but she’d threatened him with keeping Bubba from him if he filed for divorce. Despite Jim Bob’s faults, he’d enjoyed being a father, but having his son in his life had kept him in a marriage he didn’t want.

  The problem was, he’d never say no to his two kids, and it had warped Bubba and his sister Tara into elitists who knew nothing about limits and moderation. When they were younger, there wasn’t much Jim Bob didn’t give them when they asked, but now it was out of control. The problem was, they weren’t game fish, and it was way too late to reel them back in.

  “You guys are hypocrites,” Bubba said loudly.

  “Tell you what,” she said, sick of this argument since it wasn’t the first time they’d had it. The repetition proved to her that not having kids had been a blessing. “When you work your ass off and build a company with a bottom line like ours, you can entertain your friends all you want. Until then, those losers will be on your dime. You make more than enough for a job you’re not doing, so quit your bitching. Your salary is where my charity ends.”

  “You’re going to let her get away with that?” Bubba asked his father.

  “Your job was a favor to me, but Tucker’s not responsible for your fun. Pay the goddamn bills, and try your best to avoid this conversation again. You’re too old to have a learning curve, son.” Jim Bob pointed to the door, and Bubba took a moment to get the message, but he stomped out with the indignation of an entitled brat. “Man, if there was a way to pay someone a million bucks and go back in time, there would’ve been more spankings in that kid’s past.”

  “Your life’s been the best birth control I could’ve hoped for.” She smiled when he shot her the finger. “I remember the fun times of roaming the toy aisles when they were little, when a Barbie play house and a toy truck made them happy. They were so cute back then, and they didn’t talk back because they thought I was the cool aunt. Now I’m the bitch who won’t pay for their wild times.”

  “Yeah, well, those days are long gone, and someone buried those sweet kids in the woods where there’ll never be found. It’s like the pod people came one night and took him and his sister and replaced them with these surly sarcastic people, and I’m waiting for them to bring back those kids I knew.” Jim Bob sat and put his feet on her desk. He did it often enough there was a worn spot in the corner. “Did he tell you his big news?”

  “Who, the money burner?” The term was one of their mother’s favorites.

  They’d grown up comfortable but not mega rich, which gave her and Jim Bob an appreciation for what they had. Jim Bob’s wife, though, had grown up without much, but had quickly become accustomed to the money. Ivy Delacroix, in their mother’s opinion, sat up nights thinking of new and stupid ways to spend money, and she’d definitely passed that habit on to her kids.

  “The reason he probably spent a small fortune this weekend? He’s getting married.”

  “Bubba’s getting married? To who?” Her nephew was a pain in the ass, but he was a lot like Jim Bob, which meant he was forgiven most of the time for his unending supply of shenanigans because he was charming. But there was a distinct flipside. Bubba had also taken up a lot of Jim Bob’s other habits, and that translated to there being a lot of women in his life. She was no relationship expert, but that might get in the way of marriage.

  “Be at the house on Saturday and we’ll find out together.” Jim Bob dropped his head back and sighed. “Can you make sure he’s got a prenup?”

  “Brother, he’s
your kid.” She shook her head. “I’m leaving all my money to the homeless cats in my neighborhood, so call Jefferson and have him take care of it. You might want to stay on top of that since he probably met her when he put a dollar bill in her G-string.”

  “You were easier to talk into things when you were four.”

  “Eating a habanero pepper for three dollars taught me a lifelong lesson, which means you’re shit out of luck. Get your feet off my desk and go back to your office and do whatever it is you do here. I’ve got a meeting at Suntrust.” She stuffed a few files into her briefcase and knocked his feet off when he didn’t move fast enough.

  “Don’t forget about Saturday,” he said. “I need you there for moral support, and to keep me from saying anything stupid. All these people hate me, yet I can’t get any of them out of my fucking house.”

  “It’s that unending gravy train you got going over there, buddy.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “If you let me talk to you like you’re a piece of crap and still pay all my bills, I might move in too.”

  “I don’t want you to give up your house.” Jim Bob punched her gently on the arm before dropping his head on her shoulder. “That would cut down my possible runaway locations if I ever decide to chuck it all and move out.”

  “You’re welcome anytime, but call first, and bring your own underwear. I’m only generous to a point.” She laughed at getting the finger again and waved as she walked out. “And make sure there’s plenty of booze this weekend.”

  * * *

  It was Willow Vernon’s two-year work anniversary, and she stared out the window of the new office she’d been given the week before. Her work life had been on the fast track, and there were now ten people on her team, and they were all busy with the projects they’d been assigned. She juggled trips to Houston every week, the workload at the office, and treks out to the rigs they were responsible for at least twice a month.