Chapter 43
forty-three
Mateo
Reynolds and I arrive at The Featherweight at the same time, and despite his smug, disrespectful attitude, I approach him calmly and cordially.
“Nice to see you.” I extend my hand.
He stands still, forcing me to inch closer, as though I’m beneath him.
That’s okay. He won’t rattle me today.
With the size of this group, they’ve sent us to what they call the library meeting room on the first floor.
Liam—dressed in his Peacock Springs Fire Department T-shirt and work pants—stands with River.
The rest of the Hendrix, Kelly, and Morgan parties arrive, each family sitting together at designated tables strategically placed in a U-shape.
As I take in the scene, a slight sadness creeps in. I wish Nessa was here. I want to show her I never gave up, and I hoped she wouldn’t give up on me. On us.
When a small hand touches my shoulder, a zap of hopefulness courses through me, but when I turn around and find my sister and brother-in-law, I deflate.
“She’ll be here,” Stef says, shoulders back, chin high.
I try to absorb a little of her confidence. “Glad you’re here,” I say. “We’re over there if you want to join me.” I wave to my reserved seats.
“I have to wait for her at the bar,” Stef says.
At the front of the room, a smaller table with three chairs has been set up.
Gran walks over to the middle seat, taking center stage and scanning the room.
“Thank you all for joining us. This is an important gathering for the Historic Families of Peacock Springs. While Jimmy tried to sway the community at the festival, this decision can only be made by the deeded property owners.”
Eyes narrowed, she focuses on her grandson, then Grant, ending on Caleb.
“What?” Caleb lurches forward in his seat, his face red.
Points for me, yes!
“I represent the Kelly Family,” she says elongating and emphasizing her position.
Walking over to the chair beside hers, Glenn says, “I represent the Morgan Family.”
Last, River flanks her other side, making the tiny woman appear to have two large bodyguards. He finishes with “And I represent the Hendrix family.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Gran says, bobbing her head between the men next to her. “Please, everyone, take your seat. I’d like to call to order this unique gathering of the KMH Family Trust.”
“Inside the folders on the table, you’ll find the final proposals from the competing parties. Using town feedback, Mateo has made some updates since Jim’s presentation.”
As Caleb continues to turn redder, a confused Landan turns to Grant. “What are they talking about?”
Wide eyed, Grant looks to Jim. The blood drains from Jim’s face, and he’s left ashen and rapidly blinking.
Gran gives a haughty laugh, and looks at the trio, then says, “Landan, did you not know the ripple effect you and Grant set off? Grant’s poor decision-making at nineteen had Glenn uncertain he was ready for this level of responsibility.
Over the years, he has not earned the ability to fully take over the family business.
You may have some financial benefits, but you do not have a say. ”
Glenn nods serenely as he looks at his folded hands on the table before him.
“This is ridiculous!” Landan screeches before storming out of the room.
Blinking, Grant looks from her to his father to the doorway his wife left through.
“Go after your wife, son. You’ll be packing up soon, anyhow.
Better to keep one wife happy in this lifetime.
” Glenn urges, maintaining his downcast eyes and shaking his head.
“Our hope is that Mateo is granted permission to purchase the Morgan properties, while Cathleen”—he nods at Gran—“will transfer her shares to her grandson?—”
Jim whoops.
“To my grandson, Liam,” Gran cuts in firmly.
“Me?” Beside me, Liam’s eyes go wide.
“You are a good man,” Gran says with a warm smile. “And you already take good care of the farm. I’m too old, and your dad here will be retiring soon enough. It’s time to hand this over to young blood. Will you be okay staying put?” she asks, a twinkle in her eye.
“I was never planning to go anywhere else,” he says with a dip of his chin. “Thank you, Gran.”
I catch Liam’s gaze and raise my eyebrows as if to say can you believe this ?
He gives me a stiff nod, answering, of course—we’re awesome .
I try not to chuckle. This is the perfect future business partnership.
I glance at the doorway again, hoping to see her blond curls, but still nothing.
The room erupts into whispers over the announcements.
Caleb turns from red to purple, and his tantrum includes shouts that we are all a bunch of nobodies.
I scurry to watch from the open doorway as he knocks over anything he can in his path, then finally exits through the front door and stomps down the steps.
Good riddance, asshole.