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Gavin opened it then cleared his voice. “Okay, here goes.”
To my three
sons and daughter
I couldn’t have loved the four of you more if you’d been of my own blood. My only regret in this life is that maybe I didn’t tell you enough how proud I was of you all, how much I cherished and loved you. I was never an overly demonstrative man, and talking about my feelings didn’t come easy, but I hope you all know how cherished you were.
Gavin, you were a rock from the moment I met you. When Trace came up to me and told me how you’d looked after him and Colin, protected them, cared for them, I knew I couldn’t walk away from you. I know I’m leaving my family in safe hands with you protecting them. Loyalty is an admirable quality, son, and you have it in abundance. I firmly believe that you were placed with Trace and Colin because you were meant to be part of this family.
Trace, so calm and mature for your age, you were often the voice of reason in our crazy household. You remind me so much of your father, he was just like you, soft-spoken, sensible with a generosity of spirit. He would have been so proud of the man you have become today. You’ve always been the first one to put up your hand to help someone else and that made me so proud and I know your parents would be too.
And Colin, my jokester. Now you remind me of your mother. She always had a ready laugh, a kind smile and a joke at the ready. She could have me and your father in stitches within minutes. You kept the rest of us from being a bit too serious at times and reminded us that life was for living and for having fun. Never change, my boy. And that’s an order.
Lastly, but never least is Lila. Lila, sweetheart, I loved you from the first moment I saw you, all curled up in a ball trying to keep out of the rain. I know you’ll be surprised that I left you the house, but I had my reasons. I don’t think you ever understood your value. Lila you were always the heart of our household. You were my daughter in every sense of the word and I hope you understand how precious you are. Sweet, shy and yet fiercely independent, a princess who tried to be a tomboy in order to keep up with the boys. But you never had to. You only ever had to be yourself.
Be yourself and everyone will still love you. I promise.
So, by now you’re wondering why I split up the property the way I did. It’s because the four of you belong together, you always did. I know I made you boys give Lila a few years to herself, but I figure it’s been time enough. You need to claim her. You need to make each other happy and learn to live as a family once more. Each of you owns an interconnecting part of the property just as you owned a piece of my heart.
Clay.
Lila went into shock. She could feel everything around her slowing as she just concentrated on taking one breath then another.
“Wow, he didn’t miss a beat, did he?” Colin said in a surprised voice.
“Sure didn’t. He knew us better than we did ourselves,” Gavin agreed.
“Lila?” Trace questioned. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t feel so good. Can I go home?” she asked quietly.
“Course we can. Come on, let’s go.”
*****
As soon as she got home, Lila raced up to her room. She didn’t want to be around anyone at the moment. She needed to think. She threw herself onto her bed, arms over her head, fully expecting a knock on her door to come immediately.
So she was surprised when it didn’t come for another twenty minutes.
“Lila, honey?” Trace called out.
“Yes?” she asked.
“Colin’s out on a job and Gavin has gone to check on the men. I’m just down in the stables if you need me, okay?”
“Okay, thanks,” she said with a mixture of relief and disappointment. She needed some time alone to think and yet, she felt lonely without them here.
“If you need to talk, Lila, I’m here for you,” Trace added.
“I know. I just need some time to myself.” She tried to keep her voice steady, but knew there was a tremor that betrayed her.
“Okay, sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
When the house went silent she rose and wandered downstairs, looking around the house through new eyes. She couldn’t believe Clay had left this place to her. When she’d first arrived it had seemed so huge and intimidating. But now it was her home.
Their home.
