“Maybe I haven’t been fed as well as you.”Renn took a jab at Levi.He recognized the All-Star ball player and knew for sure he ate like a king while he got paid to work out and hit baseballs for a few months of the year.
The middle brother, Dalton, still sat in the living room not speaking, just studying Renn.
“If you’ve known you were a Hart all this time, why’d you wait until now to show your face?”Wes finally said.
Here it was the million-dollar question.
“To be honest, I didn’t have much use for a man who couldn’t be bothered to participate in my life while he was living.My mama always said she’d take me to see him when I was ready.When I turned ten, I decided I was.We drove all day just to arrive in Sandy Point and sit in the waiting room, because your dad was in some meeting.When I finally got to meet him, I changed my mind.”
“You met him, when?”Levi asked.
“I think it was spring break because I didn’t have school.Your dad was definitely surprised to see me—nice enough, but I didn’t stick around to talk to him.Just seeing him in person made me so mad.For ten years he’d basically ignored my existence.Then a month later my mom said he’d died in a car accident, along with your mom.I’m really sorry for your loss.”
Wesley just nodded.“Where is your mother now?”
“She died too.Cancer.”
“And then you got my letter?”Mrs.Hart said.
Everyone’s heads turned to the doorway where Mrs.Hart stood with a tight smile.
“Yes, ma’am; then I got your letter.”
“What letter?”Levi said.
“Gran, you knew we had a brother all these years and never thought to mention it?”Wesley said standing and starting to pace behind the couch.
Dalton continued to sit in one of the wingback chairs quietly.He reminded Renn of a skittish horse and was making Renn nervous, because you never knew if they would bolt or try to kick you.He knew from Mrs.Hart’s letter that Dalton was the town doctor and had been a Navy SEAL.
“When your parents died, there was so much to process.We were all heartbroken, then when I met with the attorneys, they said there were two wills.”
Wes slapped the side of his leg.“Damn it, Gran.”
“Easy,” Dalton finally spoke with a calm warning.
Renn couldn’t get a read on him.Was he combustible or just cerebral?
“Wesley, I’m sorry, I just thought at the time it was best for me to reach out to Renn’s mother and if she and Renn wanted to make their claim I would have told you.”
“Make what claim?”Wes asked.
Renn walked over and handed Wes the will he’d been sent.And Wes looked at him like he was a wild animal that might bite.
“He’s your half-brother, but he was your father’s full son, and your father made it clear in his second will that Renn had a right to part of the family estate.It’s his birthright too.”Mrs.Hart turned to face Renn.“I’ve been keeping tabs on you for years.”
“You’re the one who sent my mama money all those years after Mr.Hart died?”
“Yes, she didn’t want your inheritance, and wouldn’t accept checks, but I hoped the cash would be put to good use.”
“It was, thank you.”
“I was very sorry to hear about your mother,” Mrs.Hart said.“Cancer is a terrible disease.”
“The doctors caught it too late, and she didn’t tell me she was sick until the end.We didn’t get much time.”
Mrs.Hart took another step closer and put her weathered hand on his shoulder.“I’m sure she wanted to spare you some pain.But you have family here if you want it.Your father was my son, so I’m your grandmother whether you like it or not.”
Mrs.Hart seemed equal parts loving and tough, but he recognized the pain in her eyes when she spoke about his father.
