She shook off the perplexing thought and looked down the street, relieved to see that Eden had brought Jacob with her this afternoon. His presence might have a calming effect on the high-strung woman. The two were waiting on the sidewalk outside the narrow brick building that housed the lawyer’s office.
“Hi, Jacob,” she greeted. “Eden.”
Jacob turned, his boyishly handsome face breaking into a wide smile. “Hey, Hayley! Where’s your shadow?”
Though he’d grown up with them, Jacob still couldn’t tell Leigh from her sister. Leigh was used to it, so she offered him a cheeky grin.
“Wrong as usual. Here comes Hayley and Bram.”
The couple had taken a walk through the town of Stony Ridge while Leigh was having her hair cut. Now they strolled up, hand in hand. Jacob groaned.
“You cut your hair too? I could finally tell you two apart.”
Eden sniffed imperiously, patting at her stiff, bleached blond hair. “I’m going inside, out of this heat.” Without waiting for a response, she reached for the door handle. Jacob rolled his eyes behind her back, but hurried to hold the door for his mother.
Leigh smiled. Everyone liked Jacob. Even Bram, who’d been understandably territorial when they first met, had come to terms with the younger man after Jacob took a bullet while trying to protect Hayley. Leigh still found it hard to believe Jacob had actually proposed to her sister, but Hayley was convinced Jacob had done so to protect her from Bram.
Jacob had taken on the role of unofficial older brother to them right from the start. Eden had worked as their father’s nurse and assistant since before they were born, so Jacob had spent a lot of time at the estate when they were growing up, especially during the summer and school breaks.
Initially, Jacob and Eden had viewed Bram as a fortune hunter. To protect Hayley, Jacob had asked her to marry him. This made perfect sense to Hayley and Leigh, but Leigh still wasn’t sure Bram understood. The truce between the two men still seemed a bit uneasy to her.
Inside the brick building they discovered someone had gone to great lengths to give the law office a cozy appearance. Comfortable chairs and a coffeepot with a tray of cookies beckoned visitors to relax while they waited. As usual, Eden wasn’t interested in relaxing. She strode up to the receptionist as if she hadn’t a second to wait. Hayley shook her head at the maneuver and winked at Leigh.
“So what do you think of the shorter style?” Hayley asked, sotto voce, ignoring the woman.
Leigh swung her head and grinned back. “I love it.”
“Me too. I’m not sure Bram’s thrilled though.”
“Hey, I told you I liked it,” he protested.
“Uh-huh. You also told me you loved my hair long.”
“And I did.” His eyes took on a smoky look. “It wouldn’t matter to me if you were bald.”
Oh, yeah, he was a goner, all right, Leigh thought happily. Hayley had picked her mate with the same single-minded determination that she used on everything else in her life. Leigh wished she shared a bit more of her sister’s assertiveness. She was tired of being known as the quiet twin. On the other hand, her one attempt at being bold and daring had led to an unmitigated disaster, and that was one lesson she would never forget.
“Yo, Leigh, wake up,” Hayley said, giving her a nudge.
The receptionist was ushering them down a short hall to an open door. Bram stepped back, letting Hayley, then Leigh, precede him into the room past the cheerful receptionist.
Leigh came to a dead stop one step inside the room. Bram bumped into her, but Leigh barely noticed. She only had eyes for the man standing behind the desk.
“Hello, Leigh.”
Gavin Jarret’s gravelly low voice sent her heart rate tap-dancing. She’d barely been able to stop thinking about him since that glimpse across the cemetery, but he was the last person she’d expected to see in here.
“Don’t tell me you’re in trouble again?” she blurted out.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “I’m on the other side of the desk now. You did tell me to make something of myself, remember?”
Heat flamed her cheeks. He was standing behind the gleaming walnut desk, dressed in a dark conservative suit instead of jeans. His thick, wavy hair had been cropped into a stylish business cut, though that didn’t stop a few of the unruly strands from straying toward his forehead.
“You’re a lawyer?”
His lips slanted wryly. “Sometimes I have trouble believing it myself.”
A lawyer. The word didn’t make sense. Though he dressed like a lawyer, the bad boy of the county still lingered in his relaxed, confident pose. And as those restless eyes skimmed over her, they still seemed to have the power to penetrate beneath the surface and read her very thoughts.
“Leigh?”
Her sister had moved to her side protectively. Aware of the sudden undercurrent, Bram also took a protective step forward on the other side of her. Wry humor sparked in Gavin’s eyes at her unexpected buffer. While touched by their concern, Leigh didn’t need anyone to protect her from Gavin. Not anymore.
“Why don’t you all have a seat?” Gavin invited.
“Really, Leigh, pay attention. Didn’t you just hear that girl tell us Mr. Rosencroft died last week?” Eden demanded.
Leigh blinked. Every eye focused on Marcus’s widow. Eden had usurped the chair front and center of the desk and was staring at Leigh with obvious impatience.
“No, actually, I didn’t,” she told Eden quietly.
“Well, sit down. I have things to do today. You and Mr. Jarret can have your personal discussion after we conclude this meeting.”
Gavin’s silence spoke louder than words. He regarded Eden as if she was an unpleasant curiosity. Which wasn’t far off the mark, unfortunately. Leigh had never cared for Eden, and the antipathy was mutual. In the past, Eden had been careful not to let her aversion show when other people were around.
At Gavin’s silence, the woman’s sharp expression faltered a bit. Jacob shifted uncomfortably at her side. After a long pause, Gavin turned to Hayley.
“Ms. Thomas, if—”
“I think formality is a bit pretentious under the circumstances, don’t you? I’m still Hayley,” she told him.
Gavin inclined his head. “If you’ll all take seats we’ll see if we can’t hurry Mrs. Thomas on her way.”
The gibe was so deftly accomplished, Eden didn’t catch on. Jacob’s puzzled expression turned speculative. His gaze went from Leigh to Gavin and back again. If he didn’t already know about their brief moment of notoriety, someone in town would undoubtedly fill him in as soon as he asked a question.
Hayley was still in her protective mode, so Leigh mustered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. The sight of Gavin might be doing crazy things to her insides, but she could handle the situation. Especially since Gavin was no longer looking directly at her.
She claimed the seat farthest from his desk and reminded herself that she was no longer seventeen. On the outside, at least, she would appear cool and sophisticated and ready to handle whatever came her way. She was very glad she’d had her hair cut before coming in here today.
Gavin began passing out paper folders. When he came to her, Leigh even managed an impersonal smile. Was that a hint of admiration she glimpsed in his eyes, or amusement at her pretense? He returned to his desk before she could be sure.
“Mr. Rosencroft had been ill for some time preceding his death. For the past several months, I’ve been the only associate in Rosencroft and Associates. I’m familiar with the estate and the various wills involved and am fully prepared to administer the estate, but you may, of course, wish to petition the court to assign the function to someone else. If you wish to do so, I’ll understand.”
Leigh held his gaze without blinking. No one said a word.
“The packets I just handed each of you contain copies of the agreement set forth between your grandfather, Dennison Barkley Hart, and this firm. There is a copy of h
is will as well as a copy of the one we have on file from your mother, Amy Lynn Hart Thomas.”
“What about Marcus?” Eden demanded sharply.
“I’ve included that as well. However, it is a very old will and it might be a good idea to be certain he didn’t have another will drawn up somewhere else that might supersede this one.”
“Ridiculous. This was the family firm.”
But Marcus had never been part of the family in any real sense. Leigh looked to where Eden sat stiffly in the soft leather chair.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Thomas. I checked our records thoroughly. This is the most recent will we have on file for him.”
Eden leaned forward. “Let’s get something clear right now, Mr. Jarret, this is a community-property state and I’m not going to be done out of what’s mine. My husband was married to Amy Hart for more than twenty years and he didn’t divorce her until after she disappeared. He’s entitled to half her estate because they were married when she disappeared.”
“Mrs. Thomas—”
“I intend to contest Amy’s will if you attempt to cut me out of what’s mine,” she continued angrily.
“That’s certainly your right, Mrs. Thomas. But I will tell you that these wills were set up to withstand just such a challenge. If you’ll look—”
Her expression turned sly. “I doubt Amy’s will allowed for the fact that she wasn’t in her right mind.”
Hayley leaped to her feet. “How dare you!”
“I mean no disrespect, Hayley,” Eden lied, “but everyone knows your mother was devastated by her father’s death. Even the police think that’s why she disappeared in New York City. She was too upset to be as careful as she should have been.”
Bram laid a hand on Hayley’s arm as Gavin’s rough voice swung every eye in his direction.
“Amy Thomas’s mental health makes no difference to the Heartskeep estate.”
“Of course it does. As her husband, Marcus was entitled to at least half of her estate.”
“Before we dispute that, let me explain that Amy Thomas’s estate did not include Heartskeep,” Gavin said smoothly.
Eden paled. “What are you talking about?”
“Mother, if you’d be quiet and listen for five minutes, we’d all know,” Jacob burst out.
Eden gaped at her son, as surprised as the rest of them by his uncharacteristic outburst. Bram tugged Hayley back down in her seat and kept a firm grip on her arm.
“Prior to his death, Dennison Hart was under a doctor’s care,” Gavin told them. “A sworn statement is included attesting to his mental state at the time this will was signed and witnessed. The conditions and bequests set out are quite explicit. Amy Hart Thomas was disinherited the day she married Marcus Thomas.”
“That can’t be!”
“I’m afraid it is, Mrs. Thomas. That clause was never revoked, even though Mr. Hart’s will was revised several times since the original will was drawn up. Amy was to have a generous allowance for as long as she lived. Heartskeep and its grounds were left in their entirety to Amy’s firstborn child, in this case, Hayley Hart Thomas.”
“This is outrageous!” Eden jumped to her feet. Her plump, stubby fingers curled into tight fists of anger. “My lawyer will be looking into this.”
“Of course, that’s certainly your right. I was going to advise you to seek legal counsel of your own. My card is enclosed,” Gavin said calmly. “Have your attorney call me with any questions.”
“Mother, sit down and let the man finish,” Jacob told her.
She rounded on her son, her face bright crimson. “I know collusion when I hear it,” she snapped. “They won’t get away with this.”
Eden stormed from the room, clutching the packet to her chest. Jacob rose as well, looking acutely embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Jacob,” Hayley told him.
“Thanks. I’d better go see to her.”
There was a moment of silence as he left, closing the door with a soft snick.
“I was under the impression that the terms of your grandfather’s will were general knowledge,” Gavin said.
“I thought so, too,” Hayley responded. “Mom and Grandpa told us a long time ago how the estate would be handled. Marcus knew. I know he did.”
“I guess he forgot to mention it to Eden,” Leigh said.
Gavin held her gaze. She felt a moment of vertigo as her stomach muscles contracted.
“According to Mr. Rosencroft, it was Dennison Hart’s wish to keep Heartskeep intact within his family. He went to considerable lengths to set up trusts to ensure that the estate would be protected.”
“From Marcus?” Hayley asked.
Gavin shifted in his chair. When he spoke, his tone was deceptively mild.
“From anyone who might seek to take it away. Ira said you’d understand your grandfather’s misgivings.”
“Absolutely,” Hayley agreed bitterly. “What I’ve never understood is why Mom married Marcus in the first place. What happens if I decline to accept the estate?”
Leigh gasped. Even Bram looked startled.
“What are you saying?” Leigh demanded.
Bram gripped Hayley by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t do this, Hayley. Not because of me.”
Leigh knew that Hayley’s wealth and Bram’s lack of money had been an issue for Bram from the start. Given her sister’s nature, she should have expected something like this.
“That’s not it, Bram. Honest. I want Leigh to have the house. I don’t even like the place anymore.” She shuddered. “And not just because of what happened.” Hayley looked at Leigh. “It stopped being home for me the day Mom disappeared. I can’t see myself ever living there again. Look, I’d hate to see it fall into any further disrepair, but if you refuse to take it on, that’s probably exactly what will happen.”
“But no pressure, right?” Leigh asked. “What makes you think I want that albatross?”
Gavin leaned back in his chair and regarded them. “Well, this is something Ira and Dennison didn’t foresee. Are you sure about this, Hayley?”
“Positive.”
“Leigh?” he asked.
“I…don’t know. I never gave any thought to owning Heartskeep. Mom always said it would belong to Hayley one day. That was fine with me. I mean, what am I going to do with a place that size?”
“Well, for one thing,” Hayley said, “since Eden already hired R. J. Monroe and his crew to repair the fire damage, I think we should have him tear down those walls upstairs and put the house back the way it was designed.”
“Hold on a minute,” Gavin interrupted. “Let me be sure I understand your position, Hayley. You definitely want to decline your inheritance?”
“As far as the house and grounds, absolutely. I lost any affinity for the place after being trapped inside Marcus’s office area while the house was burning down around us.”
Bram squeezed her fingers and Leigh shut her eyes, thinking how close her sister had come to dying for the sins of their father.
“Leigh?” Gavin asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at Hayley. “You could have warned me you were going to do this,” she chided. “I don’t want the place, either.”
“Then we’ll give it to charity.”
“That would be fine with me, but Grandpa would be crushed if he knew.”
“He’s dead. But you’re right,” Hayley agreed reluctantly. “He loved Heartskeep.”
Leigh realized that Bram would never feel comfortable if Hayley accepted the house. More than likely, he’d never ask her to marry him. Her wealth was bad enough, but Bram would hate living at Heartskeep. He’d made no secret of his feelings where the estate was concerned.
“I’ll tell you what,” Leigh told her sister. “I’ll accept Heartskeep as long as I can hold it for your firstborn child.”
“Deal!” Hayley turned to Bram in obvious relief. “And while I love the fence and gate you ma
de, I want those bars off our windows and our stone lions put back. Right, sis?”
“I’m having them repaired as we sit here,” Bram told her.
“Lions?” Gavin asked Leigh.
“Two big stone lions used to sit on brick columns where Marcus had Bram put the wrought-iron gate.”
“I remember now,” Gavin said. “You seem to have some definite ideas about what you want done with the estate, Hayley. Are you certain you don’t want it? Nothing says you have to live there.”
“Good, because you couldn’t pay me to live there again. I really don’t want the estate, Gavin. I don’t want the responsibility.”
“Leigh?”
“My mother loved Heartskeep as much as my grandfather did, so I’ll take care of it for them.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Gavin frowned. “Then I’m afraid we’re going to have to have you accept the property, Hayley, then sign it over to your sister. You’ll get a terrific tax break, but she’ll have to pay.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“I’ll cover the taxes,” Hayley promised.
“I’ll have to draw up some new papers and get back to you on this.”
“Great! I feel a million pounds lighter already,” Hayley beamed.
Which explained why she felt a million pounds heavier, Leigh mused.
“Ah, sorry, but I’m afraid we aren’t quite finished yet,” Gavin told them.
“Marcus’s will,” Hayley said.
“That, too. We can dispense with your part of that pretty quickly. The will on file is dated nearly fifteen years ago. You were both mentioned by name,” Gavin told them. “The language is a bit, uh, strong, but the gist is that you didn’t need his money so you weren’t to get a cent from his estate. He left everything he had to Eden Voxx.”
Leigh sat back in relief.
“Good!” Hayley said. “That should make her happy.”
“I gather that won’t be a problem, then?” Gavin asked.
“Not with us,” Hayley assured him, looking to Leigh for confirmation.
The Second Sister Page 4