AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Angie huffed. “Catie spent the last four years in Paris, for God’s sake.”
“Getting her education. Before tha
t, ever since she was old enough to lift a currycomb, she’s been pulling her weight.”
“I got an education too, you know.”
“Yes, and it’s high time you used it. It was so long ago, what was your major again? Home Ec or some other froufrou thing?”
She cleared her throat. Why was he thinking the worst of her? She had a brain. There was a reason she wanted an intelligent man. Her own IQ was quite high.
“Health sciences, with a minor in biology.”
“Good, good. With a biology background you can start taking more responsibility for the health and nutrition of the animals.”
“College was long ago, Daddy. I’ll have to read up.”
“So be it. Get online and find what you need. And I expect you to show up tomorrow and work with Harper.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She turned to leave.
“One more thing.”
She turned back. “Yes?”
“Grayhawk tells me you didn’t show up for your lesson this morning.”
She’d meant to, but she’d gotten to bed late after hanging at the Bullfrog. She hadn’t been able to force herself out of bed this morning. Plus—her neck warmed—she was embarrassed to see him after their little interlude at Catie’s pool.
“I’m sorry. I overslept.”
He cleared his throat and his nose reddened.
Uh-oh. Wayne Bay with a red nose was not a good thing.
“I’ll see that you get an alarm clock,” he said through clenched teeth. “And just so we understand each other, there’s one other thing.”
“What, Daddy?”
He shuffled some papers on his desk. “This”—he held up a document—“is my original last will and testament, leaving Bay Crossing to you and Catie and Cha Cha to Harper.” He set the papers down and held up what appeared to be an identical document. “This is a new will Harper just drew up for me.”
“Why do you need a new will?”
“Why don’t you take a look at it?” He handed her the document.
She hadn’t been to law school like her brother, but she was capable of reading a will. Everything looked in order, until—
Her skin chilled as anger welled within her. “What? You can’t possibly be serious!”
“I’m completely serious, Angelina. You have not demonstrated that you are capable of owning one of my properties when I’m gone. You either show me you’re serious and learn about ranching, or I leave Bay Crossing solely to Catie.”
Not only would she not get her share of the ranch, but she’d get nothing whatsoever. None of the money in the bank, none of her mother’s jewelry, not even Nana’s afghan—nothing, nothing, and more nothing.
“This is completely unfair! How can you even think of doing this?”
“I’ve protected you far too long, Angelina. I finally see that I haven’t done you any favors. You either learn ranching or go on your merry way and find something else to do and someone else to finance your lifestyle. I won’t be your sugar daddy any longer.”
“But—”
