Page 5 of Blue Jean Summer

“I didn’t feel like arguing with Lewis today,” Hallie said with a chuckle under her breath as she passed me in the doorway with a placating pat on my shoulder. “First thing you learn as a parent is that you’ve got to pick your battles. A seating arrangement is not the hill I’ll die on with that man-child.”

“Hallie—”

“Go on,” she said dismissively. “Someone’s got to make sure the caterer is on top of things, lest we have a hungry mob on our hands.”

I didn’t argue. Instead, I steeled myself and headed for the study as I pulled at my necktie. It had felt just fine this morning, but now it felt like someone was choking me.

Lewis was seated behind Granddad’s stately mahogany desk with his feet up on the work surface. He impatiently checked his watch as the lawyer sat in one of the chairs on the opposite side. His eyes flicked up to me as soon as I filled the doorway. “It’s about time,” Lewis huffed.

“Hayes Wilder?” the lawyer asked as he stood.

“Yes.”

“Robert Allen,” he said by way of introducing himself. “I’m sorry for your loss. I knew your granddad for many, many years.”

Lewis pretended to gag, then rolled his eyes. “Can we get on with it?”

Mr. Allen checked one of the many pages in the stack he held, then pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of his suit jacket and nervously dabbed his forehead. “I’ll begin if you’re ready.”

“Hurry up,” Lewis said as he scrolled through his phone. “I have a real estate agent showing up in an hour.”

The lawyer blinked. “Right.”

I sat in the spare chair and gritted my teeth until my jaw ached at the thought of this place being sold for parts.

The lawyer cleared his throat and began to read the last will and testament of Walter Wilder.

“ ‘I, Walter Theodore Wilder, being of sound mind, do hereby make, declare, and publish my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior wills and codicils made by me.

“ ‘I hereby give, devise, and bequeath the Wilder Estate located in Honey Hollow, Virginia, and any wealth, assets, or property associated with it, to my grandson, Hayes Thomas Wilder. From the real property included in my estate, a portion of no less than ten acres shall be conveyed to the lawful wife of my grandson.’ ”

My heart stopped. It sputtered like an old tractor as relief tried to take over, but the blatant reminder of what should have been made it seize.

Lewis’s balding head turned a concerning shade of eggplant.

“What?!” he roared as his feet hit the floor, and he rocketed out of the chair. “He gets everything?!”

The lawyer stammered, “M-Mr. Halstead, if I may continue.”

“Lewis,” I choked out. “Let him finish.”

“This is egregious!” he yelled. “This is—”

“Let the man finish!” I shouted back, shutting him up. I never let anger get the best of me, but at the moment, rage was better than debilitating heartache. I glanced at the lawyer with a look warning him that he better get on with it, then get out of dodge.

He dabbed his face with the soaked handkerchief, then continued.

“ ‘If, for any reason, Hayes Thomas Wilder fails, neglects, or refuses to make the conveyance as directed above within a reasonable period following my death, or misrepresents the upstanding reputation of the Wilder family, then my estate shall be distributed to my next living relative, Lewis Samuel Halstead, under the same conditions.

“ ‘Additionally, I hereby appoint my grandson, Lewis Samuel Halstead, to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Wilder Foundation, an organization I established for the benefit of my community and the Commonwealth of Virginia. This appointment shall be effective upon my passing. Lewis Samuel Halstead shall serve as CEO until such time as he may choose to resign or be removed from this position by the board of trustees.

“ ‘If, in the opinion of the executor of my estate, Lewis Samuel Halstead does not fulfill the responsibilities related to the Wilder Foundation or appropriately represent the institution, I hereby designate Hayes Thomas Wilder to succeed him as CEO of the Wilder Foundation with the full authority to manage and operate the foundation, including its assets, projects, and charitable endeavors, or to name a suitable CEO in his stead, in accordance with the purposes for which the foundation was established.’ ”

Mr. Allen began to wrap up the proceedings, reading off the witnesses and notary who had officiated the document, but I drowned it out.

Lewis sat frozen in the executive chair, staring at the back wall, coiled tight like a cobra on the verge of striking.

The lawyer set the will on the edge of the desk and mopped up more beads of sweat. “My office will be open on Monday to field any questions and assist with the transfer of assets and titles.”