Martin picked up a red folder and waved it in front of the camera. “I guess this is what all of you have been waiting for. Inside this folder is my legal will. Charles will supply each of you with a copy of it when you leave here today. I’m just doing this video for fun.”
Lily couldn’t stop herself from smiling at Martin’s last comment. He was still a clever old fox even at his age.
His famous mischievous smile slowly began to grow on his face. She knew that smile all too well. Martin Chapman, what are you up to?
“So, here we go. I, Martin Wayne Chapman, of Trinity, Alabama, being of sound mind, body, and judgment declare this to be my will, and I revoke all prior wills and codicils that I have made. To my children Sydney, Meg, and Sherry Ann.” He rubbed his chin massaging his invisible beard and gave a nod. “Charles, if you’d be so kind.”
Mr. Hopper pulled out three white envelopes from a folder and slid them across the table until they were in front of each of Martin’s children.
“Inside those envelopes is what I’m giving to each of you and nothing more. If you remember, when I left New York City all those years ago, I left everything I owned at the time to the three of you. I then purchased the ranch and came here with a few dollars in my pocket to start over and that’s exactly what I did, with no help from my children.” Martin held up his hand. “So, none of you are entitled to anything I have here. Now, I have one more thing I want all of you to hear directly from me. I have only two beneficiaries named. They will be entitled to all my assets and wealth, and those two people are… my only grandson, Bryce Fowler, and my caregiver, Miss Lily Meyers.”
Lily’s head jerked up. “What?”
“What?” Bryce’s voice echoed from across the table.
The room erupted like a volcano. Within seconds everyone was on their feet yelling and screaming at Mr. Hopper. He rocked back in his chair completely unaffected by their rage. Only a wily smile touched his mouth.
“This is absurd! You’ll be hearing from my attorney, Mr. Hopper. It’s bad enough the old man thinks he’s going to leave it all to Bryce, but he was insane if he thought I would stand by and let some grubby little farm girl get her hands on my father’s money,” Sid shouted at Mr. Hopper, and then he turned his angry face to Lily. The veins in his neck bulged.
Gripping the edge of the table, Lily pulled herself up. Her legs wobbled underneath her like a newborn colt trying to stand on its own for the first time. “I didn’t know Martin was─”
“Sid.” Sherry Ann grabbed Sid’s arm. “Bryce is Father’s grandson after all, and if it’s all left to him, you know Bryce will do right by the family.” She then focused her attention on Lily and narrowed her eyes. “But as for you, you knew about this all along, didn’t you? That’s why you’ve been hanging around a dying old man.”
“No, I didn’t know he was going to do this,” Lily said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I didn’t have any idea he was…”
“Let’s all just calm down for a moment.” Bryce waved his arms in the air and shouted above the noise.
“I figured you for a gold digger.” Meg glared at Lily, ignoring Bryce. “Well, not in this family, honey.” She tore into her envelope, gasped, and let out an ear-piercing scream. “This has to be some kind of joke!”
The scream shot right through Lily’s eardrums causing her to flinch. She lifted her arms to cover her ears but quickly snatched them down. Meg could put tornado sirens to shame.
Sid ripped his open. “Five thousand dollars, that’s it?” His nostrils flared.
“Yes, that’s the only thing your father has left to you,” Mr. Hopper replied.
“I’ll fight this, Mr. Hopper. The old man’s money rightfully belongs to us.” Sid slammed his fist down on the table causing Lily to jump. She felt sweat beads gathering on her top lip.
“You might have fooled our father, but you’re not fooling us.” Meg took a step toward Lily, but Mr. Hopper had already rounded the table and stood between Lily and the others.
Mr. Hopper held up both hands and tried to silence the group as he walked over to the door and held it open. “I appreciate all of you coming today, but from here on out the rest of the reading only concerns Bryce and Miss Meyers.”
“What? You’re asking us to leave?” Sid’s face was a glowing mask of rage.
At that moment, two security guards came up and stood in the doorway.
“Yes.” Mr. Hopper dipped his head toward the door. “And so are they.”
“This isn’t over, Mr. Hopper, I assure you. This isn’t over!” Sid reeled around on his heels and stomped out of the room.
“Sid, wait. You have to do something. You can’t let him do this.” Meg snatched hold of his arm as she shuffled quickly in her high heels.
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Bryce, I need to speak to you. Now!” Sherry Ann yelled just before Mr. Hopper closed the door.
Slowly pushing himself up from his chair, Bryce stood. “I guess I need to go speak with my mother.”
With a nod, Mr. Hopper opened the door again. “Please don’t be long, Bryce. I’d like to wrap this up as soon as possible.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t be long.” Bryce gave a nod in Lily’s direction as he ambled out of the room.
Mr. Hopper still held onto the doorknob as he turned to Lily. “I know it’s all a little overwhelming, Miss Meyers, but if you can be patient with me for just a little while longer everything will be explained to you in more detail. Would you like a cup of coffee or perhaps a bottle of water while we wait for Bryce?”
“Water would be fine. Thank you.” Lily’s throat felt as dry as dirt hungry for rain.
“Please take your seat again. I’ll be right back.”
A flush of adrenaline rocketed through her body. Feeling like she’d just escaped from a pack of hungry wolves, she dropped down into her chair with a thump.
Putting her fingers to her temples, she closed her eyes in exhaustion and disbelief. “Martin, what were you thinkin’?”
A few minutes later, Mr. Hopper re-entered the room and handed her a bottle of water.
“Thank you.” She twisted the cap off the bottle and took a long drink despite the shaking of her hand.
He took his place at the head of the table again, slipped off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes.
“Mr. Hopper, I just don’t understand this. Martin told me once he would take care of me after he passed, but I assumed it was just for some small amount of money to see me through until I could get on my feet. I never expected anything like this. You know that family won’t leave this be. Can’t I just walk away?”
Before Mr. Hopper had a chance to reply, the door opened, and Bryce Fowler stepped back into the room.
~**~
She's Alabama country, He's New York City, thrown together by an inheritance they both desperately need.
In Martin Chapman’s will, his final request is a peculiar one. Upon the day of their marriage, his caregiver Lily Meyers and his grandson Bryce Fowler will become joint beneficiaries of his entire estate, which includes the Chapman Quarter Horse Ranch.
There’s only one problem, Lily and Bryce have never met. For the past three years, Lily and her five-year-old son Joey have lived on the ranch with Martin, never knowing they might inherit anything. Will Lily uproot her son from the only stable home he’s ever known, or will she marry a man she doesn’t know to secure her son’s future?
Bryce’s decision isn’t an easy one either. Will he leave the fast pace and bright city lights of New York City to move to the sleepy little town in Trinity, Alabama, or will the cowboy life and Lily prove challenging enough to chase him back to his comfort zone?
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About the Author
Debra Lynn Collins
I was born and raised in Georgia, but I moved to Alabama after my husband and I were married in 1981. I consider myself a Georgiabamian. I adore the south, I couldn't im
agine myself living anywhere else.
God blessed me with four wonderful children, and as of right now seven grandchildren.
Through the years I've tried my hand at many, many other crafts. I enjoy quilting, making candles, soap, and jewelry. I also scrapbook, do woodworking, and cake decorating. Oh, and did I mention, I LOVE TO COOK!
My writing journey...I started writing romance stories at the early age of 13. I still remember vividly the night I wrote my first story. I had watched a movie with my sister that night, and I didn't like the way the movie ended. So I slipped away into my bedroom, grabbed a pen and paper and wrote the ending the way I wanted it. Before I knew it, I saw the sun peeking through the curtains and realized I'd been up all night, writing...and that was the beginning of my writing journey.
I'm a Contemporary Christian Romance Writer...There's just something about those***Heart Pounding***Pulse Racing***Makes You Weak in the Knees***Happily-Ever-After***Once in a Lifetime***Love Stories!
I do believe in those fairy tales romances because I'm living mine with my wonderful husband, Steve. He is my hero, best friend, and he still makes my heart skip a beat when he just holds my hand.
♥ ♥ ♥
The reason I write the stories I write... I believe everyone yearns for that happily ever-after, fairy tale romance.
Although my characters may suffer tragedy, loss, or past broken relationships, they ALWAYS find an everlasting love in the end. Love always conquers all!!
I write Christian romances, because I can tell my stories without compromising my convictions.
Visit my website: www.debralynncollins.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/debralynncollins
Or email me at: [email protected]
I’d love to hear from you!
We hope you enjoyed
Cowgirls Don’t Cry
From
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Coming Home Collection
Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope
First edition. Copyright ©2015 by Sweet Impressions Publishing, Spirit Light Publishing and Magnolia Charm Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or recording – without express written permission of the authors and publishers. The only exception is brief quotations in printed or broadcasted critical articles and reviews. Your support and respect for the property of these authors is appreciated.
This book is an anthology of collected works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, places, locales, or to persons living or dead, is purely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the authors or the publishers. The characters are productions of the authors’ imaginations and used fictitiously.
Each book in this collection is the intellectual property and copyrighted material of the respective author and/or publisher and is reprinted as a part of this collection (anthology) only once, only for a limited time, and only by permission of the owners. The publishers make absolutely no claim on, or to, the property of the owner(s) which exceeds that permission.
Déjà vu Bride
Copyright ©2014 Debra Ullrick
Summary: Olivia Roseman is done with love and with God. Can handsome, charming Erik Cole change her mind about both?
Deep in the Heart
Copyright ©2010 Staci Stallings
Summary: Keith Ayers is living his life trying to make everyone else happy. When God-fearing Maggie Montgomery shows up, will Keith defy the two most powerful men in Texas to follow his heart?
Cowgirls Don’t Cry
Copyright ©2014 Debra Lynn Collins
Summary: Sami Lawson believes love is just a cruel deception, but can a handsome stranger prove her wrong?
Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope Page 82