She looked at the papers again. “Why didn’t she tell me herself?”
“I can’t answer that. Though I got the impression from Trenton that she explained her reasoning in her letter.”
“Whereisthe letter?”
Stone pulled another envelope out and handed it to her.
She extracted the letter and opened it.
“It’s definitely her handwriting,” Susan said.
As she read the letter, her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, Mom,” she whispered when she finished. She put the letter away and cocked her head, her brows creased. “Hold on. Did you say you represented hisestate?”
“I did. I’m sorry to tell you this, but Trenton died just over a week ago.”
She stared at him, dumbfounded. “I’ve lost my father before I ever met him?”
“It was an unfortunate accident. He died when his boat sank. He had every intention of meeting you. He was just giving you time to mourn your mother first.”
“This is…a lot.”
“I have no doubt.”
“Thank you, I guess, for coming to tell me.”
“Actually, there’s more.”
“More?”
“Your father was a very wealthy man.”
She blinked.
“And he named you in his will.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not,” he said. “The reading is scheduled for next Wednesday at two p.m., at my New York office. Trenton requested that you be present.”
Obviously still in shock, all she could manage to say was, “I teach on Wednesday.”
“Perhaps you could get the day off? If not, call my office and we’ll reschedule for when you are available. Your father was adamant about all those named being present.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything yet. Like you said, it’s a lot. Take some time to absorb the news.”
She snorted a laugh. “Absorb? I don’t know if that’s even possible.”
“Again, no rush. Though if you can let me know by Mondaywhether you can make the reading on Wednesday or not, I would appreciate it. We can always reschedule to a time better suited for you.”
She hesitated, then asked, “Did he have any other children?”
“Two sons. Aaron is thirty, and Ryan twenty-eight.”
“I have siblings.” She started to smile, then shook her head. “This isn’t some kind of prank, is it?”
