Page 68 of Grit
So many things were wrong with this, but the timing bothered Cary. They hadn’t come to Melissa when the note was due. She said it had been agreed to before Abby was born, and Abby had celebrated her tenth birthday well over a month ago.
“What do they want?” he asked. “This isn’t about money.”
“Good catch.” Her smile was bitter. “They’re part of JPR Holdings. They’re the ones who are trying to build the Allen Ranch development.”
He closed his eyes. Yep. That sounded like Greg Rhodes. “So that’s why the Fontaine name sounded familiar.”
“Kevin Fontaine is a friend of my brother-in-law. I have no doubt Devin’s hands are all over this. He’s probably the P in JPR Holdings.”
“Devin Peres,” Cary muttered. “Peres, Rhodes. Wonder who theJis?”
“Don’t care.” She waved a hand. “Doesn’t matter. All I know is that Greg is saying that if I don’t shut up about Jordan Valley and dissolve the protest committee, he’s going to call in the note on the ranch. Which… I can’t even do that. I didn’t start the committee. It’s not in my power to dissolve it.”
“Unbelievable.” He closed his eyes. “Actually, it’s sadly believable.”
He and Calvin had been friends, and none of this came as a surprise to Cary. Calvin had hated his parents, but he could be a little bit like them at times. He’d probably signed that note using Melissa’s ranch as collateral without even considering the idea he’d be unable to repay it.Stupid.
Cary shook his head. “I can’t believe he signed that note without telling you.” He stood up and walked to the bathroom to grab her some Kleenex. She wasn’t crying, but it was close.
Melissa took the tissues he held out. “It probably seemed like so little money to him he didn’t even consider it. Besides, Calvin would have been thirty before it came due, and he would have come into his trust fund. We were never going to be short on cash once he had that. I can’t even count how many times he said, ‘After I turn thirty…’” She heaved a massive sigh. “Life sure has a way of kicking you.”
Cary said, “Calvin died just before he turned thirty, so no trust fund.”
“The money didn’t disappear, it just rolled over to Abby’s fund. But I don’t have access to it. Neither does she until she’s thirty. Those are the terms of the trust his grandparents set up.”
“Are they still living? Can they change it? Calvin signed a note that you and your mom are being held responsible for because he’s gone. Surely his grandparents never intended—”
“His grandparents are dead. And Greg and Bev have nothing to do with it. It’s a law firm in Santa Maria.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” She wiped her eyes. “So I have to come up with seventy-five thousand dollars really fast.”
Cary shrugged. “Or you can just go along with things. There’s no guarantee the development will happen. The Allen Ranch project may die a natural death because people keep making noise.”
“Or it might go through and we’ll have two thousand houses at the end of Jordan Valley, chemicals in our water from golf course runoff, and traffic issues from here until forever.”
Cary put his hands on his hips, still standing. He was too pissed off to sit. “It wouldn’t be the end of the world,” he said. “And you’d still have your ranch.”
Melissa cocked her head. “I can’t believe you’d even suggest that. I’m not the only one affected by this.”
“No, but you know what? You’re the only one being asked to put your own neck on the line because of it, Missy. I wouldneverjudge you for doing what you needed to do to protect your family, and I’d kick the shit out of anyone who questioned your motives.”
“But it’s not just about me.” She reached in her pocket and pulled out her phone. “Oh, and in case you think Greg and Bev are being heartless, read this. She just sent this.”
He took the phone and saw an email on the screen.
Dear Melissa,
I heard that you and Greg had words yesterday afternoon about the Allen Ranch project. I don’t want this to come between our family. It would break my heart.
I want you to know you are always welcome here at the ranch. Always. And though I know you’re probably very angry with Greg right now, I have talked to him and convinced him that we don’t want to anger you. You’re Calvin’s widow and Abby’s mom. You’re family.
If you would speak up in defense of the project at the next council meeting, it would go a long way to smoothing things over with him. If you’d do that, honey, I think we could tear up that note entirely. The money is nothing to us. We just want you and Abby to be safe and happy.
Love always,
Beverly
