The boy looked like he was about to fuss about it but sat back down on the ground where he proceeded to push some dirt around with his toy.
A shadow fell over both of them, and Bonnie looked up to find her big brother smiling at her, one eyebrow raised.
“What are you doing here? Chrissy said you had a hot date tonight or something.”
Bonnie rolled her eyes. Since Wyatt and Chrissy had married a year ago, Bonnie and Chrissy had become close. While Wyatt was still her best friend, Bonnie didn’t often talk about dating or her boyfriends with him. That’s what Chrissy was for. Of course, she expected the two of them to share notes.
She stood so she could visit with her brother easier but still keep an eye on Gunner. “I had to work late because Jace had an unexpected meeting tonight. I got an earful from Lew, which certainly didn’t make my evening brighter. Anyway, Gunner and I were sick of sitting around the house. I hope it’s okay that we dropped by for a few minutes.”
Wyatt smiled at her. “Of course! It’s always good to see you, and you’re welcome any time.” He regarded her with a measure of concern. “You work a lot of hours, Bonnie. If you have something else planned, it’s okay to tell Jace no.” He paused. “I hope Lew was at least respectful. He’s left you hanging enough times that he doesn’t have the right to complain when you have to cancel.”
Wyatt had made it clear that he didn’t care for Lew. As for Jace, Wyatt had only met him once, and it was in passing. He couldn’t understand how hard it was to tell the man no, especially when he offered to pay time and a half in those instances. “It’s okay. It sounds like the meeting was important.”
“That might be, but your life is important, too.”
Jace may be a director at some fancy financial institution his family owned, but Bonnie often thought he would’ve excelled in the Army as a drill sergeant.
It looked like Wyatt was going to object again. Bonnie held up a hand to stop him. “The rent on my place is going up three hundred after next month. I could use the extra money.”
Wyatt’s jaw dropped. “Three hundred? That’s insane. You going to be okay?”
Bonnie appreciated his concern. If anyone knew of her financial situation, it was Wyatt. After all, they’d both chosen to walk away from the family fortune when they didn’t conform to who their parents wanted them to be. Thankfully, she’d also understood the importance of saving money. The increase in rent was going to hurt, no doubt about it. Especially when she needed to sign a new lease next week. But she had a savings account, and the extra work hours lately did help.
“I’ll be fine. I wish I could find a cheaper place to live, but moving on its own is expensive enough.” She paused. “Jace is a good man to work for, Wyatt. The last-minute meetings get to me sometimes, but he pays me well.” She looked down at Gunner with a smile. “And I do love this little guy.” She glanced up again. “Don’t worry, I have a ton of love reserved for my niece or nephew. How’s Chrissy feeling?”
Wyatt’s face morphed into a combination of pride, anticipation, and worry. He and Chrissy had announced they were expecting a baby a month ago. Poor Chrissy had been dealing with bouts of morning sickness that had her staying home and hugging the toilet more often than not. “She’s exhausted. When I left to come here, she was asleep.”
“I’ll make a big batch of my chicken noodle soup and bring some over this weekend.”
Wyatt grinned. “That would be great, thank you.” His expression sobered again. “If you need to hit the batting cages, let me know.”
That brought a smile to Bonnie’s face. For years, if either of them needed to talk about something serious, they’d hit balls at the batting cage together. Bonnie had certainly worked out several problems with the help of her big brother and the satisfying sound of baseballs flying through the air. “I appreciate it, but I’m okay. I’ll let you know if anything changes, though.”
Wyatt nodded once and hitched a thumb behind him. “I’d better get going. Don’t work too hard, okay?” He kissed her on the cheek. “Bye, Bon.”
Bonnie waved at him while simultaneously snagging Gunner as he tried to escape and run toward the horses. “Don’t even think about it, mister.” As soon as he was in her arms, he arched his back and squealed.
Yep, their little outing was just about over. As much as she’d like to stay out for a while, it was time to get Gunner back. Besides, who knew how long it would be before Jace’s meeting ended and he returned home? He would expect his son to be ready for bed when he did, though.
* * *
Jace Echolls glancedacross the table at his twin sister, Noel, searching for confirmation that they’d heard the family’s lawyer correctly. Noel blinked at him, clearly attempting to digest the information herself.
Their father, Shawn, hit the conference table with his palm while their mother, Leslie, bolted to her feet. “This is outrageous! There has to be some kind of mistake.”
Mr. Lawson straightened the papers on the table in front of him, a picture of calm. He’d been employed by the Echolls family for many years and was used to the dramatics that always accompanied gatherings of any kind. “I assure you that everything is legal and binding just as I read it.”
When his father had called Jace late that afternoon to insist on a reading of Grandpa’s will, Jace had been annoyed at the lack of notice. There was no way his parents hadn’t had the reading set up before then. But that’s how they worked—making people bend to their timetables. He was surprised Grandpa had dared to die without consulting them first.
Then again, Grandpa always had been his own person. Something Jace greatly admired. When Jace looked at the man Grandpa had been, it was hard to believe that his own father was even related to him.
All through their childhood, his parents had sent him and Noel to live with Grandpa and Grandma for the summer while they traveled the world. To his parents, having children with them would be a huge inconvenience.
To Noel and Jace, summers on the ranch were anticipated all year long. All of Jace’s favorite memories were linked to those months in one way or another. In many ways, his grandparents had given him and his sister the kind of love and attention they craved but never received from their own parents.
Still, to discover that the family ranch had been left completely to him and Noel was a shock. He’d fully expected it to be passed down to his father instead.
Apparently, his parents had expected it, too.
