Caught in the Flames (47 page)

“Dear Cameron, Tiffany, and Callie. This is quite the predicament, isn’t it? All of you in the same room together on my account. It’s sad to me this probably won’t happen voluntarily until I’m gone, and I wish I could be there myself, but I don’t believe in ghosts so I can’t imagine I’ll be sticking around to haunt.” That earns a chuckle from Ash and a smile from Chase. The rest of us are waiting to hear what else is held in this letter. Tiff appears much too confident, cocky even, and just plain mean. She has no clue what’s about to drop.

“No, I’ll be high tailing it out of here to reunite with my dearest, Phil. But that’s not what you want to hear about so let’s get to the nitty gritty, shall we? I’ve always had my doubts about paternity in regard to my late husband’s children. Though as they grew it’s plain as day that Cameron is his son. Cam, there is a trust I’ve set up for you to inherit upon my death. It’s made up from monies your father saved in hopes you two would one day reconnect. It’s a shame you never had the chance. He always loved you, was proud of the man you became, and you would have loved him.”

I glance over to Cam and his jaw works back and forth. He sniffs several times and it’s apparent he’s trying to hold back any emotional response. I wonder if he regrets his past decisions.

“Now, as for the princess Tiffany, my trash talking neighbor—”

“What in the hell!” Tiff interrupts but the lawyer continues reading.

“I always suspected you were not my husband’s child. Therefore, you also have a trust set up in your name. However, it comes with the stipulation that you obtain a paternity test, using Cam and Chase’s DNA, before you receive one dime.” Tiff’s face turns beet red as she gasps and sputters. Cam’s brows draw to a deep scowl and Chase looks as though he might be sick.

“In the case you are not Phil Callahan’s daughter, the trust will go to my dear friend, Callie Gordon, along with her inheritance: my entire estate.”

“You bitch!” Tiff lunges across the table but Ash pushes out of his chair and blocks her from coming close to touching me. I stumble to stand and step back from the table, away from the angry glares.

“Why? Huh? Tell me why in the hell the estate goes to that woman over my step mother’s blood relatives!” Cam shouts at the lawyer. Chase is still struggling to pull Tiffany back off the table, away from Ash and myself.

“Sir, you can see for yourself the documents that were procured almost one month ago today. I met with Mary Katherine and she was in perfect mental health when these changes were made. This was her decision. I’m only communicating her wishes to you,” Mr. Thompson states calmly and clearly. I don’t envy him or his job.

“You thief! You manipulative bitch! You’ll pay for this! Mark my words! You. Will. Pay!” Tiff shakes a manicured nail my way as she continues to kick and pull against Chase’s tight grip around her waist.

“That’s enough, Tiff. That’s enough,” he mutters into her ear but we can all hear him.

“You will pay! I’ll fucking burn you to the ground! Try me!”

“That’s enough!” Cam shouts and that finally shuts her up. “Come on, let’s go. I’ve heard enough.” He grabs her from Chase and the three of them empty the conference room.

“That went really well, don’t you think?” Ash quips and though it’s highly inappropriate I release a giggle before slapping my hands over my mouth. “Do you need anything from us?” he asks the lawyer.

“No. I’ll be in contact in a few months as soon as the estate moves through probate. In the meantime, Callie, you’re welcome to inhabit the property. Once the transfer of property takes place, you’re free to do what you wish with it. That and the estimated one million in cash from stocks, savings, and life insurance distributions. Give or take a few grand.”

I can’t speak. I can’t breathe. I must look as unsteady as I feel because Ash rushes to my side and grips my shoulders.

“You okay, Sweet Cheeks?”

“Fine,” I say and then turn back to Mr. Thompson. “I’m sorry, the stress of these past few weeks must be getting to me. Did you just say one million?”

“Yes, give or take a few thousand,” he answers matter of factly.

“Dollars?” I blurt and Ash chuckles.

Even Mr. Thompson smirks. “Yes, Callie. Mary Katherine loved you dearly. She was a client for years and a very special woman. I hope you realize that and spend your inheritance accordingly.”

I nod immediately. “I know she did. Thank you for your help today.”

“I’ll be in touch.” Mr. Thompson holds the door for us and waves good-bye when we exit the office. I’m utterly at a loss for words or coherent thought when we get inside Ash’s tin can on wheels and start the drive home.

“You okay, Callie?”

“I just can’t believe it.”

“That she would leave you everything?”

“No, that she was a millionaire.” I laugh and shake my head. “I’d never have guessed.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Ash’s gaze trains on the road where a light flurry of snowflakes begins to fall around us. “So, what will you do with her place? Or I guess I should say, your place.”

“I don’t know.” But after a deep exhale I turn in my seat so I can study his reaction. “Actually, I do. I want to move into her house. It feels like home to me. Stupid, huh?”

“No.” He glances between me and the road. “Not stupid. It’s a good home. I can see you happy there.” His lips pull into a soft smile and my own can’t help but mirror the movement.

“I think so, too.”

“You know what you need to do? Make it your own. Keep what you like, but change enough so it’s your house, not hers.”

“I guess.” Although I agree, I don’t really have the funds to begin any projects right now. Not when most of my savings was exhausted in repairing my other house. I probably need to sell that house soon. Or maybe I should rent it. Shit. I’m going to need a tax accountant. This is all so much.

“Hey,” Ash runs the pad of his thumb across my forehead where I imagine it’s creased with worry. “You don’t have to change anything. When you’re ready.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t have money. Not now. Crazy, I know, considering I’ll have more than enough in a couple of months.”

“I’ll spot you the cash.” Ash grins and he takes a wrong turn, away from my house.

“Where are we going?” We hadn’t discussed hanging out, though I’m happy to spend the day with him. It’s nice to not be alone today.

“Hardware store.”

I laugh, a real guffaw, and shake my head. “Ash, I don’t even know what I want to do to the place. And . . . lack of funds.”

He smirks and pulls into the shopping center lot. “Come on, it’ll be fun. We can look at paint samples and argue. It’ll be just like old times. You don’t have to buy anything, just get some ideas.”

“Okay.” I can hear the smile in my own voice and it’s unfamiliar, almost strange being this joyful again. I still miss Kiki and my heart squeezes when I think of her being gone. But the way she left things . . . I don’t know, it’s almost as if she’s still taking care of me and I can’t help but feel the love.

“Fuck!” I shout and at the same time swing the sledgehammer down onto the tile floor. The ceramic shatters and a few pieces bounce off the ground while most remain glued to the floorboards.

“Demo therapy, am I right?” Ash grins and shoves the long prying tool against some remaining grout causing the tiles, or what’s left of them, to pop up from the floor.

“I can admit you are absolutely correct on this.” My chest heaves with each breath and I stop to rest a moment, setting the hammer down and stretching my arms overhead. We went a little crazy at the hardware store. Basically planned an entire remodel for the house, and Ash insisted we could do most of the work ourselves. Especially with him on paid leave. He also demanded he front me the money for some of the stuff now so we could take advantage of the time. And the therapy.

Never was the man more right. I was overwhelmed, but found that blasting classic rock music and demolishing the kitchen floor surprisingly clears my head. I’ve never considered myself a violent person, but it feels great to break something right now.

“You want a drink?” Ash leans his scraper against the counter and opens the fridge.

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Beer or water? Or are you crazy coffee lady at the moment?” He calls from behind the refrigerator door.

“I do love my coffee, but after today, a beer sounds heaven sent.” He pulls out two bottles and pops the tops before handing me one.

A friendly little ding sounds from where Ash’s phone sits and he takes a long swig from his bottle before grabbing it off the counter. “Huh.” His brow pulls into a deep scowl as he reads the screen.

“What?” I know it’s none of my business but I can’t help but wonder who or what news has soured my friend’s mood.

“Just got a message from Cam. He wants to meet, though I don’t know why. I’m still on leave. Tomorrow morning. Station Eighty-two.” His brows scrunch as he studies the message.

“Eighty-two? Isn’t that practically in another county?” I step closer and lean a hip against the cabinet.

“Yeah.” He types something on the screen and then shakes his head as he sets it back on the counter in exchange for his drink.

“Why is Cam making you go all the way out there?” I’m still confused.

“I’m sure it’s just another bogus form of payback to teach me a lesson for not following orders.” He rolls his eyes.

“That’s bullshit!” I shout. I’m not sure why I’m so worked up other than I’m tired of their stupid family walking around like they’re owed the world. “You’re doing your time. He already put you on paid leave. He can’t do anything else to you. Why the hell does he want to meet all the way over there when you both live in the city? That’s stupid. Text him back and tell him you’ll meet him closer.”

Ash’s deep, throaty chuckle pulls me from my rant. He shakes his head with a grin. “I’m not gonna do that, Callie.” He brings the bottle to his lips and my heart rate picks up just observing his mouth locking onto the glass.

Damn it. Friendly thoughts only, Callie.
I tilt my own glass and chug to cool my thirst. “Well, I think it’s BS. He’s probably pissed about the way things went down today and is lashing out at you.”

“It’s fine. If that’s what it takes to make Cam the Man feel better about himself, I can easily drive the hour to meet with him.” Ash rolls his eyes and sets his empty beer on the counter. He grips the scraper and moves to where he left off.

Setting my empty bottle next to his, the thought hits me. “You don’t think he’ll ask you to transfer out there?” Ash’s chin snaps up and his gaze locks with mine as his shoulders slump.

“Fuck.” He curses and then blows out a deep breath. “Well, now I do.” His lips pull into a tight line.

Shit. I didn’t mean to bum him out. The thought came and I blurted it out before thinking. Maybe I should work on that. “So, demo therapy?” I offer a weak smile and a shrug. Ash’s scowl fades and a smile threatens to overtake his face as though he wants to laugh. He exhales and nods his head, and lets loose a smirk instead.

“Demo therapy.” With his chin down and strong arms ready, he returns to the task at hand. Picking up my sledgehammer, I join him. The smack, scrape, scrape of our tools against the floorboards fuse with the music to create a soothing, rhythmic beat.

Demo therapy.

I love waking to the smell of coffee.

I stretch from where I’m cocooned in soft blankets and sniff at the air again. Coffee. Who is—? Oh, right. Ash and I worked on the kitchen late into the night. He even convinced me to move the furniture out of the main living spaces and into Kiki’s old room so we could tear out most of the carpet. Which was a great idea at two o’clock in the afternoon, but shortly after ten p.m. when my body ached with exhaustion, I regretted our impromptu decision.

Ash eventually took pity on my weak muscles and sent me down the basement steps with directions to sleep. I didn’t think he’d stay all night, but with the coffee calling to me I’m sure he did. I shove off the covers and pull a sweatshirt over my head before making my way back up the stairs.

“There she is!” He’s far too chipper.

“What time is it?” I squint because after being in the basement I almost feel like a vampire. The kitchen seems brighter than usual this morning.