“Or Big Sam and Pop quarrelling over who carves a turkey better.”
Both exchanged glances and said in unison, “Big Sam,” then laughed.
The wind picked up, sending dry leaves tumbling across the cemetery’s lawn, leaving a few lodged against Charmaine’s headstone. Sam flicked them away. “I wish Mom would’ve listened to us and tried some kind of...”
“No, it was her choice, not ours. I don’t blame her one bit. If I’m ever in a similar situation, I would make the same decision. I’m vain like Mom, so I get it. Live hard, die young, and make a good-looking corpse.”
Glancing at Suzy’s swollen belly, Sam grimaced. “Nice.”
“The truth hurts sometimes.”
“No, it hurts all the time, but you know what? I don’t believe you. You would do everything in your power to beat the disease—for your husband and kids. That’s why you’re such an amazing mother and I’m…”
“Mom did do this for us like she told us the night of Nana’s funeral. She wanted our last memories of her to be good ones rather than watching while she withered away until nothing but a shell of her former self. In my book, her decision was a blessing. The cancer was bad enough. I don’t want to think about how much she would’ve suffered had she let some greedy doctor fill her body with harmful chemicals. And you’re my hero, so please, stop.”
Wiping a tear from her chin, Sam sighed. “I know, and thank you. I…guess I’m feeling guilty. All the mess with Richard is why she went so fast.”
Holding out her arms for help, Suzy stood. “Bullshit. You didn’t kill Richard! Kip did, so why would she be upset? She had, and died from, cancer, Sam. She didn’t worry herself to death.”
“You don’t know that.”
Rubbing her belly, Suzy sighed. “I know as a mother, what you want, what you desire, more than anything, is for your children to be happy, healthy, and safe. It’s what Mom wanted—for you—for us all. You made sure we were safe. Well, you intended to before the others beat you to it. End of story.”
“Thank you for that. I appreciate it. Now, enough of this drama. You don’t need to get all riled up. It’s not good for the baby.”
Grabbing Sam’s hand, Suzy tugged her away from the graves. “See there? Mother instincts thrive inside you. Grayson is proof.”
Arching an eyebrow, Sam remarked, “I believe you’re the one who’s been mother-henning the boy, not me.”
Glancing behind her over to Kip and Kathy’s graves where Reed, Rachel, Reed, Jr. and Grayson stood, Suzy smiled. “He’s such a sweet boy. The kid’s been through the wringer yet you can’t tell. Did you know it was his idea to come out here today and not mine?”
Following Suzy’s gaze, Sam felt a lump of tears form in her throat while watching the gangly boy set flowers next to the headstones of his parents. “It was?”
“Yep. He said in case things don’t work out with the judge today, he wanted to say goodbye to them. Plus, he knew today was the anniversary of Mom’s death and thought we should come and place some flowers.”
“He’s one of a kind. He didn’t take after his mother.”
“Don’t speak ill of the dead when so close to her grave! What if Grayson hears you?”
Chuckling, Sam let go of Suzy’s hand. “Like I said, you’re a natural mother hen. Let me go set this last bouquet on Bradford’s grave. I’ll meet you all at the courthouse. Okay?”
“Sure. One more thing?”
“What’s that?”
Lowering her voice, Suzy leaned closer. “Do you think we’ll get permanent custody and the adoption approved? I heard Judge Hornsby’s tough—a real stickler for the rules.”
“Stop worrying, mother,” Sam teased. “Judge Hornsby’s reputation is well-deserved, yet did you forget what a great lawyer I am?”
“You’re more than an amazing lawyer, sis. You went through countless hoops to get the case transferred here from Tennessee. You’re my rock.”
“Ditto. Take a deep breath. Today, Grayson gets what his mother wanted all along—never to worry about money. Huh—the epitome of irony. She wanted him to be a Chapman and soon, by proxy, he will be.”
“Only if our attorney shows up, so hurry.”
Embracing her sister in a warm hug, Sam basked in the love flowing between them, despite the secrets still hidden inside her heart. “And you’re mine. Go. I’ll meet you all in twenty.”
“Okay. Baby Regina is insistent I go pee anyway. Lord, this little girl has already got me hopping!”
Casting a sideways glance at her sister’s glowing face, Sam grinned. “Good thing you didn’t come clean and spill your dark secrets to Reed, huh?”
“No doubt. Hurry up before we’re late.”
Watching her very pregnant sister waddle toward the rest of her family, Sam walked across the dry grass. Once reaching Bradford’s marker, she stopped, waiting until Suzy’s clan loaded up in the minivan and drove away.
Once they were gone, she stared at the headstone. Squatting, she set fresh, white roses in the placeholder. Gazing around the quiet cemetery miles away from the city at the end of an old dirt road, she made sure she was alone.
“I know only your body rests here, Bradford. I hope your soul, your essence, energy, whatever it was that made you, well, you, can hear me. God, this is so hard—and weird.”
Blowing out a huff of air, she sat on the cold ground and lit a smoke. She extracted the pack, feeling like a fool and a good friend as she set it next to his headstone.
“Last one then I’m quitting. Jeez, Bradford, I owe you so much and don’t have the words to properly thank you. I tried when you were still here, yet you kept shutting me down, insisting everything you did was because you loved my mother. We both know that’s a partial truth. I think Mom knew too, which is why she didn’t marry you. No matter. You made her final time here happy, and took the rough edges off her personality, but I believe she wanted to rest next to Big Sam in eternity with his last name. Does that make sense?”
A lone crow squawked from Sam’s right. Looking up, she watched as it paced back and forth over a bare oak tree branch, its ebony head bobbing up and down as it pecked at the wood.
“Okay, I’ll take that as a sign you heard me and understood, but a black crow? Come on Bradford! Couldn’t it have been a white dove? No, given our sordid pasts, I guess the crow is appropriate.”
The bird fluttered its wings, squawked once more then flew away. The sound of gravel crunching under tires caught her attention. She sighed as a black Charger stopped less than ten feet away from where she sat.
Patting the ground, she whispered, “Thanks for being there for me. I…”
“Dad said I would find you here. I thought he was nuts. Once again, he proved me wrong.”
Sam didn’t finish the words of love to Bradford. She put on a fake smile for his son. “You’re looking for me, Jefferson?”
Walking over to join her, Jefferson nodded. “Yes. Dad said you would be here on the anniversary of your mom’s death. He insisted I wait until today to give you this.”
Sam eyed the younger version of Bradford as he held out a flash drive. “I don’t understand?”
“Me either, but he was insistent. He made me promise.”
Clearing her throat, Sam forced a smile. “Do you know what’s on it?”
“Nope. I learned a long time ago not to poke my nose into Dad’s business. It was something I learned at a young age. Cop kid rules, you know?”
Looking into Jefferson’s blue eyes, ones full of questions and a hint of irritation, Sam replied, “Thanks for honoring his wishes.”
“No worries. Oh, he said the file’s password protected and you would know what it is.”
Despite the chilly air and strange interaction with Jefferson, warmth spread through Sam’s chest. “Yes, I believe I do.”
“I heard about the book coming out about that boy’s parents, though I can’t recall the title.”
“Fatal Agreements—A Stripper’s Final D
ance,” Sam offered, nearly choking on the vile title.
“Yeah, that’s it! Dad seemed interested in the case before he passed. No, not interested. Obsessed. Maybe it’s about that? His perceptions on what happened? Nah, it’s probably a note detailing his feelings about your mother.”
Sam held in a groan. “Could be.”
“Did the author interview you, too, since you were the dude’s lawyer?”
“He tried. I told him to go fuck himself and he should be ashamed for trying to profit on such a tragedy.”
Jefferson grinned. “Dad always said you were a spitfire.”
“I, uh, not trying to be rude, but I was about to leave. I need to be in court in fifteen. Good thing I drive fast.”
Glancing over at the grave of his father, noticing the fresh flowers, Jefferson asked, “Are those from you?”
“Yes. Your father was a great guy, and one I’ll never forget.”
Jefferson laughed then swept an appreciative gaze Sam’s way. “Had they gotten married, we’d be step-siblings. I’m glad they didn’t.”
For the first time in years, Sam felt blood rush to her cheeks. “It wasn’t meant to be. Listen, Jefferson, like I said, I need to go.”
Motioning for Sam to lead the way, Jefferson followed her back to her SUV. “Sure. Sorry. I hope what’s on that drive makes you happy, not sad. I believe there’s been enough sadness in your life.”
You have no idea, Jefferson Wilson. No idea.
GRAYSON TUGGED ON Samantha’s shirt sleeve. Leaning over, she stared into his innocent, haunted blue eyes, sensing his unease. She put on her best smile, noticing his legs were bouncing while he fidgeted in the chair.
“I’m scared,” Grayson whispered.
Peeking around the corner at her niece and nephew raiding the vending machine in the hall, Sam clasped her fingers around the boys trembling hand.
She gave a light squeeze of encouragement. “I know. Me too. Remember what we talked about all last week? Today was the final step. I know it’s difficult to wait for the judge’s ruling, but it won’t be too much longer. He has some questions for Suzy and Reed. That’s all. He needs to make sure he’s doing the right thing by the law, and by you.”
Swallowing hard, Grayson bobbed his head in agreement. “It’s still scary. What if the judge says no and makes me go back? I don’t want to live with those strangers! The lady smelled funny and burned everything she cooked. The man yelled. A lot. He said mean things about my dad and mom.”
Careful to control her anger, Sam held in a sigh. “Which is why you only stayed with them a few weeks, right?”
Grayson nodded then looked down at his sneakers. Sam noticed his eyes shimmered with tears.
“I know it hurts, hearing people say rude things about your parents. No one likes to hear such things, but try not to let it get to you. A wise man once told me we can’t control the actions of others yet we can control our own. If you let the bad things others say change your mood and thoughts, you’re giving them power of your life.”
“Did my daddy really try to save my mommy like the policeman told me?”
“He did.”
“But he was too late because the bad man already hurt her before Daddy got there?”
Sam’s heart melted, shocked by Grayson’s brash questions. It was the first time he ever asked. “Yes.”
“Mommy was bad too, wasn’t she?” Grayson whispered. “She tried to take money that didn’t belong to her, right? That’s what my friend Kevin’s mom said.”
Unsure how much to reveal, Sam picked her words with care. “Your mother found out the bad man did something terrible to another person when he was younger—something he didn’t want others to know about—so she asked him for money to keep it a secret.”
“Blackmail, right?”
Sam fought to keep her mouth from gaping open. “Where’d you hear that word?”
“The lady who couldn’t cook said it one night. She was on the phone, talking to someone. She said Mommy got what she deserved for trying to blackmail the man.”
Yes, she did, Grayson, but I’m not going to let you know I agree. “She’s wrong, honey. No one deserves what happened to your mom. No one.”
Raising his misty eyes, Grayson asked, “Why didn’t you try to adopt me? I mean, I like Suzy and Reed. They’re nice. But they’ve already got a family, and Suzy’s gonna have another baby. I’m alone. You’re alone. Don’t you like me enough to be my new mom?”
Forcing back the tears, Sam knelt in front of the sweet boy. “I love you and I’ll always be here for you. The decision to be with Suzy and Reed has nothing to do with how I feel about you.”
“But why aren’t you adopting me?” Grayson pressed.
“I know it’s hard to understand. Adoption and guardianship laws are complicated. I knew how unhappy you were in Memphis and wanted to make it better for you. The truth is adoption is granted to married couples with an established family much easier and faster than a single person like me. We all wanted to make sure you stayed here, in Arkansas, no matter what. Sometimes, we have to sacrifice things we want to do what’s best for others. Does that make sense?”
“Sort of. Can I come visit you whenever I want?”
Smiling as she wiped a straggler tear from Grayson’s chin, Sam nodded. “Of course, sweetie. Any time you want.”
“Okay! Can I ask another question?”
“Hit me.”
“If the judge says yes and I get to stay, do I have to change my name to Mason?”
“You don’t have to do anything except be happy, Grayson. If that means keeping your last name, then so be it.”
“Want to hear a secret?”
Sam laughed. “Sure. I’m really good at keeping them too.”
“I don’t want to change my name because I’m a boy. Only girls change their names when they get married. Right?”
Sam wanted to burst out laughing yet refrained. “Most do, yes, though some keep both names. Like, if I got married to someone whose last name was Wilson but wanted to keep my family name, I would be Samantha Chapman Wilson.”
“So I can be Grayson Hale Mason?”
“Sounds good to me!”
Their conversation was interrupted when the door to Judge Hornsby’s office opened.
“We’re ready for you both,” Nathanial said from the doorway.
Grayson squeezed Sam’s hand. She smiled, ushering him inside the judge’s chambers.
Once seated, a sense of calmness settled over Sam’s mind. She already knew the outcome. She fought the state of Tennessee hard—the biggest legal battle of her career—to bring the case under the jurisdiction of Arkansas. Now, all the hard work, grueling hours and countless tears were about to pay off, and Grayson would be the winner of the long sought-after prize.
Nathanial cleared his throat as the court reporter settled into her spot near the door. “After careful consideration and review of all the relevant facts of the case, it is my ruling Reed and Suzanne Mason are awarded permanent custody of the minor child, Grayson Hale, and the adoption is approved. I’m honored to be the first to welcome you as a resident of Arkansas, and hope you have a long, wonderful life with your new family.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Sam replied with the proper formality.
What she wanted to do was jump up and hug Nathanial’s neck while simultaneously telling Grayson the man who changed his life for the better was also his grandfather, and later, he would finalize the trust he set up, funded with his money and half of Sam’s inheritance.
She glanced over at her charge before addressing the judge. “Is the court agreeable with changing the minor’s name to Grayson Hale Mason?”
Looking over at his grandson, Nathanial fought back tears. “I see no reason not to grant the request.”
Reed stood, shaking hands with the judge. “Thank you, sir. As we said earlier, we promise to provide Grayson with a loving, stable home. Forever.”
Returning the handshake, Nathan
ial smiled, forcing down the lump of tears in his throat. “I have no doubts, Mr. Mason. Ms. Chapman, the order will be available online within the hour. I understand you all are heading to Branson for the holidays?”
“Yes, we are your honor,” Sam replied.
“It’s a wonderful place to spend Christmas. I’m heading there myself after my final bench trial tomorrow.”
“Final?” Reed asked.
“Yes. One more day and I’ll officially retire. It’s time.”
“If you’re going to be in Branson, perhaps we’ll run into each other?” Suzy asked.
“Wouldn’t that be interesting, but I wouldn’t dare intrude on your family time.”
Sensing the judge was close to crying, Sam ushered everyone out the door. “Thank you again, your honor. I hope retirement treats you well.”
“Sir? May I say something?”
A hush fell over the room at Grayson’s question.
Squatting down to eye-level with the boy, Nathanial replied, “Of course.”
Staring up at Sam, Grayson asked, “Does this mean she’s my aunt now?”
“Yes it does, son. Yes it does.”
“Yay! Aunt Sam rocks!”
ONCE OUT IN the parking lot, Suzy hugged her sister’s neck. “Way to go, counselor. Great job.”
“Thanks, though the decision was easy for the judge to make. You two are wonderful parents.”
“You’re going to be there tomorrow, right?”
Sam nodded. “Yep. Finishing up some estate planning documents tonight then I’ll leave first thing in the morning. Should be there around noon, okay?”
“Great. See you then. Oh, and Sam?”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
“Ditto.”
Reed honked the horn, so Suzy headed to their minivan. Sam waved, watching them leave the parking lot.
The sun was high, the temps unseasonably warm, so she walked back to the office, a tear in her eye and smile on her face.
In less than five minutes, she was back inside Lily Belle. She headed straight to her laptop, eager to finally look at the flash drive from Bradford.
Fatal Agreements Page 35