Page 124 of The Lilac River

Nash pulled it out, opened it and froze.

“What is it?” I asked.

He didn’t answer immediately.

“Mom’s will,” he said finally.

“A copy?” Wilder asked.

“No,” Nash whispered. “It’s… newer.”

The silence turned heavy.

“This one’s dated after the one that was read when she died.”

Gunner reached for it, but Nash pulled it back. “Just let me read it.”

We waited. Nobody breathed.

When he finally looked up, his voice cracked.

“She left us everything.”

Shock rippled across the table.

“And listen to this for a kicker.” Nash kept reading. “To my cheating husband Michael Miller, if by unfortunate circumstances he is still my husband upon my death, I leave absolutely nothing at all. I demand that he vacate the ranch immediately following the reading of my last will and testament, if he hasn’t already dropped off this mortal coil himself.” He picked the envelope back up and peered inside. “There’s something else in here.”

“What is it?” Wilder asked, stretching to look.

Nash’s low chuckle started from deep in his chest. “This is the best bit.” He looked up, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “They’re divorce papers. It’s dated around the time she changed the deeds for the farm. I’d bet anything they are the other matter she was going to speak to Henry about. She’s signed them ready to serve them on Dad.” He passed them to Wilder’s outstretched hand.

I gasped. Gunner’s mouth dropped open.

Wilder blinked as he read, looking like he’d just been smacked.

Nash dropped the will onto the table and pushed a hand through his hair. “You know if they hadn’t caught the guy who drove into her, drunk behind the wheel, I’d have thought that?—”

“Fuck,” Wilder groaned. “How bad is it that we think he’s even capable?”

“Very,” Gunner agreed, taking the papers from his youngest brother.

“I’ll get drinks,” I murmured, squeezing his shoulder before heading to the fridge.

“Not beer, baby,” Nash said softly. “Something harder.”

Baby. It sent a warm ache through my chest.

“I’ll get it,” Wilder offered. “Lily doesn’t need to see the hideous globe thing. I just need some fresh air first.”

That made me laugh even through the shock. I’d seen the globe. My dress had landed on it, when Nash and I—well, you know.

Wilder passed me with a wink and a quick hug before stepping into the cool night.

Gunner’s voice broke the silence. “All this time he’s known. He ruled this place like a dictator when he had no right. When he didn’t even own a blade of grass.”

“And we let him,” Nash muttered. “Because we didn’t know.”

“But now we do.” Gunner blew out a breath. “Not to mention the comfort in discovering Mom was going to divorce him.”

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