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Two Weeks Later
Kalum insisted we be taken by helicopter to the Southampton area. The houses down below are right on the water, some have swimming pools, and tennis courts. I’m not surprised Kalum has a house here, his family was extravagant and extra. Kalum was the same way with his flashy car and designer labels. Apparently, nothing has changed.
Lane was different having come from money and the same circle of friends as Kalum. He built his cars even if they are probably worth more than the average Ferrari or Lamborghini. He wasn’t flashy but was a car enthusiast. Anyone into them would know what was under a hood and how much a car built by Lane Turner would cost.
We land, the propeller causing the trees to blow in disarray. Lane is looking around in excitement with his headphones on. His eyes are shining bright because it is his first time in a helicopter.
Kalum said he would be here when we arrived. It took him the two weeks to get everything sorted with our main homein North Carolina. My lawyer agreed with Kalum about being watched and the concern for my safety. There were different cars parked on the road leading to the house and then the fear settled in the back of my mind of being watched.
Exie called and told me her parents were upset about the situation with Lane leaving me everything in his name. There was nothing in the will that belonged to his parents’. Even if there was, Lane knew I would refuse to accept it.
When they found out I was pregnant with LJ and Lane and me getting married, I was subjected to his parents’ vitriol every chance they had. The arguments between Lane and his father would call when Lane would defend me. They accused me of taking advantage of Lane by falling pregnant. I kept my distance from Exie so that they wouldn’t give her a hard time because of it. They found out about me staying with Kalum. I’m sure Kalum’s parents had nothing nice to say about me. Lane’s mother wasn’t never accepting of me either and kept LJ at arm’s length.
I haven’t touched a dime of Lane’s money since his death. Everything I have saved through the years, making bracelets, I have been using for my necessities. I instructed Lane’s lawyer to place everything in trust for LJ. I didn’t want anyone to think I married Lane because of his money. If they only knew I never asked Lane for anything. He would tell Exie to buy me clothing because I refused to use the bank card, he had left in my name unless it was for our son.
My parents taught me growing up, that you spend what you earn and if you didn’t earn it then it is not yours to spend. The only thing I earned was what I made with my hands. My bracelets. It was miracle I sound out every time I listed a new collection online. It motivated me to keep making them.
The copilot opens the door and waits patiently for me to get LJ unbuckled. When he assures me it’s safe, I step down holding him close.
There is a black Rolls parked out front, reminding me of when I was seventeen. The driver’s door opens, my eyes almost bulge out of my head.
“Henry?”
Henry gives me a grin.
I smile and run up to him with LJ in tow. “How are you, old man?” I give him a hug, and he gives it right back.
“Aura,” he says softly. He pulls back, his gaze darts to LJ. “Is this your son?”
“Yes,” I say breathlessly. “This is LJ.”
LJ gives him a once-over and smiles at the old man. “Hi, my name is LJ Turner.”
Henry bends his knees so that he is at eye level with LJ. “I’m Henry. It is nice meeting you, sir. You are very lucky boy.”
Lane beams at Henry. “I have the best mommy in the whole world. She loves me lots.”
“I bet she does. If you want to go anywhere with your mommy, you can count on me to make sure you get there.”
Lane surveys the car with a keen eye and frowns. “This car doesn’t go very fast. I can tell. It doesn’t rumble.” Lane makes a rumble with his voice like the sound he has heard in his father’s shop.
“I’m so sorry, Henry. He is used to?—”
“I understand. Does Kalum?”
“Does he what?” I question.
“Understand what he likes.”
I tilt my head. “I don’t need to worry Kalum about LJ and what his needs are. I’m shocked that Lane reached out to him at all. I didn’t know they knew each other that well.”
“They knew each other before you came along. They would race out in the back roads. All the kids into cars like that did. Kalum and Lane were close.”
“Daddy would race with Kalum?” LJ chimes in.
Henry glances at LJ. “When they were kids. They went to the same school.”
“That is so cool. My daddy was the greatest. He can make a car faster and faster. I want to be just like him when I grow up.” LJ looks at me with a smile. “Right, Mommy?”
