Savannah secured my hair in a low, sleek tail, and went after my face with swipes of brushes and lip gloss. She set me free looking far better than I should after scrubbing tile all morning, followed by a crying fit. Lifting the kitten from my lap, she ran a rubbery wand over my dress, picking up any stray hairs. Her phone beeped from her pocket. "That's the gatehouse. You can meet Harvey in the front hall and walk in with him."
I loved that idea. This was my home, too. Tyler was the interloper. And while Harvey was representing my father when it came to the will, he was still our family attorney. More importantly, he liked us better than he'd liked our father. Like West, he wouldn't subvert the law for us, but he'd look out for our interests as much as he was able to.
"You're the best," I told Savannah, giving her a quick hug as I headed for the stairs.
"I know," she called after me with a laugh.
I reached the front door just as Harvey rang the bell. Opening it, I took his offered hand, leaning in to press my cheek to his.
"Parker, you look lovely," he said, squeezing my hand with both of his before letting go. "I came as soon as Griffen called. I've been concerned this would be an issue. I'm sorry to say–"
"Don't be sorry, Harvey," I interrupted, taking his elbow and letting him lead me down the hall to Griffen's office. "I know dealing with the will has been distasteful to you. And I know you tried to talk my father out of most of this."
"Unfortunately, no one could talk Prentice out of anything." Harvey said, mournfully.
I gave his elbow a gentle squeeze. "True, and no one knows that better than his children."
Harvey smiled at me, his apple cheeks scrunching up to his gentle brown eyes. He was round all over, his belly straining the buttons of his vest. Add a white beard and he would have been a dead ringer for Santa in a three-piece suit. He'd always been kind to Prentice's children. That hadn't changed since my father's death.
Proving it, he went on, "Griffen said you're working miracles on the cottage he intends for Savannah and Nicky. Are you going to give me a tour when you're finished?"
"I'd love to. Would you believe I spent the morning scrubbing tile?"
Harvey aimed a shocked look at me. "I would not! Doesn't the budget allow for help?" He glanced at my hands with horrified eyes. "You don't need to do manual labor, Parker."
I laughed, pushing open the door to Griffen's office. As if we didn't have an audience, I leaned in and said, "I took the budget for help and put it toward the countertops I wanted. Absolutely worth it. You'll see."
"I can't wait." Harvey squeezed my shoulder with affection before reluctantly crossing the room to stand beside Griffen's desk.
Both Griffen and Hope sat behind the desk, side by side. Royal had taken the armchair opposite Harvey. Bryce and Tyler sat on the sofa facing the door. Nash stood in front of the cold fireplace.
I had a choice to make. I sure as hell wasn't joining Tyler and Bryce on the sofa. The other sofa, facing the french doors, was empty. I didn't take it.
Instead, I crossed the room to join Nash at the fireplace, standing just out of his reach, but beside him all the same. Harvey cleared his throat, and I braced.
"Your father," he began, looking at me, "made some provisions regarding marriage in his will. As Parker was the only one of Prentice's children who was married at the time of his death, this provision only applies to her."
It took everything I had to coolly raise one eyebrow and keep my mouth shut. My fucking father. He was dead, and he was still trying to control me. To control all of us.Less than five years, I reminded myself,and we'll be done with him forever. I could hang on that long.
Seeing I wasn't going to comment, Harvey continued. "His will says nothing about divorce." Harvey aimed a quelling look at Tyler, who was grinning in triumph already. The grin dimmed a fraction but didn't disappear. "However, in terms of the occupancy requirements, it specifies that your spouse has the legal right to room and board here as long as you reside in Heartstone Manor."
“He was gone for more than fourteen days,” Hope pointed out.
Harvey shook his head. “That restriction only applies to beneficiaries. As Tyler doesn’t stand to directly gain anything from the will, he isn’t bound by those terms. As long as Parker is in residence and they’re legally married, Tyler has the right to live here.”
Well, crap. That was inconvenient. Gracefully crossing my arms, I ignored Tyler and asked Harvey, "And if I choose to leave Heartstone Manor? Would that enable Griffen to evict him?"
"Parker!" Various male voices protested.
I shook my head at my brothers, ignoring both Tyler and Nash. "I'm only trying to clarify the situation."
"Yes," Harvey answered. "If you were to leave Heartstone, Griffen could kick Tyler out. However, you would also lose access to your home, as well as your eventual inheritance."
"I'm aware of that. And if Griffen legally evicted Tyler?" I aimed an arch look at Harvey. "Griffen is the owner of Heartstone Manor, after all."
"Yes, he is." Harvey cleared his throat and sent an apologetic look at Griffen. "You are the legal owner, and you can begin eviction proceedings, but that would have the same effect as evicting Parker."
"What you're saying," Griffen clarified, "is that if I kick this jackass out of my house, I'd be disinheriting my sister."
