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Both Jasmeka and Miguel’s mouths fell open. He pulled himself together first and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
The lawyer was unperturbed by the ice coming off Miguel’s words, but Jasmeka rubbed her arms as if she felt it physically.
“His holdings include several small investments, which I will outline, but the bulk of his estate is the ranch where your family home resides.”
Jasmeka knew just like everyone else at the ranch that years ago Thiago signed over ownership of the ranch to David. Miguel had found out after he arrived, but the lawyer’s announcement seemed to have shocked him. She had assumed the estate would either pass back to Thiago or go to the twins since David didn’t have his own family.
“You must be mistaken,” Miguel said, and his tone held a deadly calm. “I don’t know what reason my father gave the ranch to David, but he can take it back now. Just shift it over to him, and I’ll be on my way.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
Miguel’s eyes narrowed. The man behind the desk tugged at his collar, and moisture rolled down his neck. It was too darn hot in Texas to wear a suit.
“Senor Torres—David—gave express instructions in his will that the ranch passes on to you, and that you are not allowed to write it over to any of your family unless it is upon your death.”
Miguel cursed in Spanish and jumped to his feet. “What kind of game was he trying to pull? Does he think some convoluted inheritance is going to force me to stay in Texas?”
“I can’t say what his intentions were. However, I can say that his will won’t prevent you from selling the ranch to someone outside the family.”
All went silent. Miguel sank slowly to his seat. When he didn’t speak right away, Mr. Hernandez went on, explaining all the ins and outs of David’s last will and testament. “There are more specifics to each individual of your family, private words I am to read each one, including you, Ms. Small.”
“Me?” She gasped.
“Yes, but the first item on my list of instructions was for Senor Torres here. At the conclusion of our meeting, he can step outside, and you and I can talk.”
After that Jasmeka said nothing. She hardly paid attention to what was said. The only impression she got through a haze of shock and confusion was that Miguel was still fuming at David’s decision. They left the attorney’s office and drove to a family restaurant Jasmeka knew of not five miles outside of Stump Valley.
Miguel wasn’t so lost in thought that he didn’t move to hold her chair for her. His hand brushed her arm for a second, stilling him, and he stared down at her just inches away. She froze, not yet sinking to her seat but not moving either. After what felt like an eternity, she managed to pull herself together and sit down. Thoughts of David and his reasoning flooded her mind.
“I don’t understand what he think he’s doing,” Miguel growled. “If he thinks I’m going—”
He stopped, and she leaned toward him across the table. “Are you going to sell the ranch?”
His jaw clenched. “Just because I don’t want the responsibility doesn’t mean I will snatch it away from my family.”
She nodded. “And maybe David knew that. He wanted you to give it another chance, to build a good relationship with your dad and brothers.”
Miguel’s expression said he contemplated murder, but when she shivered, he seemed to make an effort to rein it in. “I’m going to look into getting this stupid will overturned. If I want to sign the ranch over to one of them, I will!”
“Who?”
“To Antonio and Angel equally, to be managed under Aunt Rosa’s guidance until they turn twenty-one.”
“Not to Thiago?”
“As far as I can tell, signing over the ranch to David was the one responsible act my dad did in his entire life. Regardless, I’m surprised to find it still in business.”
She glared at him. “Is that a dig at David, because I’m here to tell you he was a good man! No one could run that ranch like he did. No one!”
“You were a fan of his. I apologize if I offended you.”
“You don’t seem convinced.”
He shrugged, and she gave up on persuading him.
“You don’t care what anyone thinks of you, do you? It doesn’t bother you if someone hates you or misunderstands you.”
“It doesn’t.” To her surprise, a crack of humor broke through his dark countenance. “Are you saying you hate me?”
