Slowly, she descended the staircase, looking like a goddess.
Elana had seen that look on her grandmother’s face many times before when she was making business deals.
Elana bit back a grin.
“John Taylor, there was no need for you to travel all the way to Montana. You’ve wasted your time.” Grandma Cecilia reached the bottom step and glared at her son.
Her father lifted his chin. “Mother, this has gone on long enough. I was generous enough to allow you to travel across the States on this fool’s errand. But it stops now. I’ve brought my attorney, Mr. Collins, who has the legal documents for you to sign.”
Elana held her breath. She expected her grandmother to fly across the room in a rage and slap the crap out of her father. Instead, she only grinned and walked over to Ronald.
She slipped her hand in his.
“I won’t be signing any documents, John. Not today or any other day.” She smirked.
Suddenly the front door swung open, and a man wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase sauntered in.
“Who the hell are you?” Ronald thundered.
“I’m Mr. Collins. I believe I’m here on business with Mrs. Cecilia Taylor.” He smoothed down his Hermès tie.
“I am Mrs. Cecilia Taylor and I have no business with you. So, Mr. Collins, you can leave.” She snorted.
Her father pressed his lips into a thin line and glared at Elana. “Now is the time for you to speak up, Elana. You’re only hurting your grandmother by going along with her charade.”
Elana held her father’s gaze. “I’m confused as to what you think I’m supposed to do. Grandma Cecilia is an adult and is fully capable of caring her herself. I don’t see any need for her to go to an assisted living.”
Her father’s face shifted into something dark. “Elana, you forget yourself. I know you have been trying to get a raise at your job. Your boss and I are on friendly terms, and I can see that it happens.”
Elana felt her face heat with anger. She clenched her jaw to keep the overwhelming outrage from spilling out into the room.
The room fell silent.
Mr. Collins cleared his throat and stepped forward.
Ronald narrowed his eyes on the lawyer. “I don’t remember inviting you in. In Montana, uninvited guests are dealt with harshly.”
Mr. Collins’s eyes widened, and he took a step back. “But Mr. Taylor assured me…”
Elana had had enough. She stepped forward. “Mr. Collins, you are here under false assumptions. My grandmother is of sound mind and body, and no one here is signing any papers to put her in a nursing home.”
He shifted his weight. “Assisted living. But your father said this is in her best interest.”
Elana lifted her chin. “My father is mistaken. And if you try to push this any further, then I’m afraid I’ll have to see legal advice myself to see what can be done to a person who falsely imprisons someone in a nursing home. I’ll see to it that not only will you lose your license, you’ll get prison time as well. I don’t think you are the kind of man that will do well in prison.”
This got his attention. Mr. Collins gave her father a look and then grabbed his briefcase and exited the door.
“Elana, you will regret what you’ve just done,” her father thundered at her. He took a step toward her, but Jack intervened. He showed his teeth and growled menacingly at him.
Her father’s eyes widened. Despite his fear, he stood his ground. “You don’t understand. She is giving all her money to this man. There will be nothing left for me. I need her money.”
Elana’s mouth dropped. She glanced over at Grandma Cecilia and then back at her father.
Grandma Cecilia stepped forward and stood by Elana. “I knew this was about money all along. Elana, I’m afraid your father hasn’t been honest with you.”
Elana swallowed. “What do you mean?”
Ronald walked over to the side table and poured himself a bourbon. “I think your father should tell you, but he’s too much of a coward.”
