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“And your father?”
I turn to find him gazing longingly at a photo of a man in a military uniform. “Died in a minefield accident overseas when I was twelve. My grandparents raised us, but as much as we loved them, it wasn’t the same. I never stopped missing him.”
I nod grimly, knowing all too well how that feels.
He watches me analyze the browned photos, framed and scattered on the memorial wall. I count at least three generations of Radleys before he clears his throat. “This must be strange for you.”
“Understatement of the century.”
My heart rate spikes when I spot a worn image of a young girl who looks exactly like my mother, sitting in a man’s lap. He’s got the same brown hair we all have, but it’s her adoring smile that has me wondering what other pieces of her have been left behind in this house.
“She didn’t like talking about the past,” I say, and honestly, we never had reason to question her.
My father’s parents, who’ve lived in Florida our entire lives, were the only grandparents we’d ever known, and like Mom, he was an only child. Not having siblings was part of the reason they wanted such a big family, and I was once determined to have one of my own someday.
“You know, I had no idea Amelia had a son, let alone four,” Sam says while Cayce trails us in silence. We stop at the end of the hall before a set of closed denim-blue doors with matching gold knobs and delicate engravings woven into the wood. “I’m sure you’re anxious to uproot your life and take on the responsibility of running the manor.”
“Actually, no.” He looks surprised, so I elaborate, “I’m here to sign it over.”
Sure, beneath the wear and tear, the home has value, but there’s no chance Archer would agree to me leaving Seattle to take on a project like this.
I spot the same family crest in the foyer, painted in gold above the doors. The ‘R’ inside the shield is prominent, but it’s the words below it I’m curious about. “What does that say?”
“Never quit,” Sam translates.
Goosebumps raise the fine hairs on the back of my neck and along my arms.
As if Dad’s standing right beside me, I hear him whisper, ‘Kendrick’s never quit, son.’
“It became the family motto when the first generation of Radleys settled here and started the lumber business that’s been thriving for many years.”
So it wasn’t Mom and Dad who created the saying, but a generation of men and women I’ve never known. A family they knowingly kept hidden from us, but why?
The ‘why’ doesn’t matter, I remind myself. I’m not here to solve mysteries or get involved in old familial ties. Uncomfortable with my shifting thoughts, I decide to move us along. “I appreciate the warm welcome, but why are you here?”
If he’s offended by my frankness, he doesn’t let on. “Like you, I’ve been included in Thomas’s will.”
“I see,” I murmur, except, I don’t.
Sam aided Thomas in his last days. They obviously had a close relationship, where we have none. So why not give the manor to Sam instead of me?
“To be honest with you, Rowan, I’m relieved to hear that you’re wanting to hand over the estate. It’s been in the family for a long time, and as I’ve spent a great amount of time with Thomas, I feel I should be the one who takes care of it.”
“Absolutely,” I agree, while ignoring a sliver of something oddly defensive. “I understand.”
He’s visibly relieved when he says, “Good. That’s good. I think if Thomas knew you didn’t want it, he would’ve liked it to go to me.”
Great. That’s settled. Now I just need to sign on the dotted line and get the hell out of here.
When Sam guides us inside the office, the scent of old wood and musty cologne fills my nose as if the space was well lived in. A desk with a hand carved ‘R’ on the front panel sits at the back of the room before a window, and a set of blue leather couches and a gold-accented coffee table are situated in the center of the room, where an older woman with short white hair, soft eyes, and bright red lips rises to greet me.
“Mr. Kendrick. A pleasure to finally meet you.” She’s wearing a neatly ironed black skirt suit with silver buttons and short tan heels. “I’m Danika Black, the head housekeeper.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Black.” I give her dainty hand a firm shake, but turn to Sam and ask, “Is this where we’ll be signing the papers? I don’t mean to rush, but I need to get back to Seattle immediately.”
Her eyes flit nervously to my cousin, then back to me. “Unfortunately, I’ve just gotten word that Patricia had to cancel the reading of the will today.”
My body goes stock still. “Excuse me?”
