Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
The wind died at some point in the night and the rain fell softer, until it, too, stopped completely. By morning, when Kat unzipped the tent and stuck her head out, the sky was blue again, the birds chirped, and the only indication that there’d been any foul weather at all was a handful of downed branches scattered on the ground. Miraculously, none of them hit their tent, although she and Andy had been so lost in each other, she wasn’t entirely sure they would have noticed.
“Can I convince you to come back in here and cuddle a little longer?” Andy tugged at her hips and tried to pull her back down into the little nest they’d made of dry clothes and the one sleeping bag.
She twisted her head around and winked. “I would love to, but my bladder has different ideas. And I’m starving.”
On cue, her stomach growled, and they both laughed .
“Okay, okay.” He released her and sat up. “I think I’d like to see this place in the daylight anyway.”
She turned to look outside again. “You’re going to love it. It’s magical.”
Less than thirty minutes later, they perched on flat rocks along the lakeshore and ate a simple breakfast of the dried oatmeal packets as they shared a mug of peppermint tea.
“It is pretty incredible here.”
Kat nodded without looking away from the reflection in the water. “I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but I think I’d like to do it again. But maybe not in a storm.”
“And maybe with company next time?”
“Maybe.” She winked at him but a moment later, the playfulness was gone. “Oh no! You’re here.” She sat up, her breakfast forgotten.
“I am.”
“But you’re not supposed to be.” She turned to stare at him. “I was supposed to do this on my own, remember? The list. It was a solo trip.”
Her mind spun. Had she just gone through all of that just to screw it all up? If she hadn’t just spent the last few days crying, she probably would have burst into tears again. As it was, Kat was pretty sure she was fresh out of tears altogether.
“Hey.” Andy reached over and grabbed her arm, grounding her in the moment. “Don’t spiral. There’s nothing we can do about it now. Besides, there were extenuating circumstances, Kat. I’m sure it will be fine. Why don’t we pack up and go back to town? You can talk to Steven in person and see what he says about it all.”
It was the only reasonable solution.
Besides, even if the trip didn’t count as far as the will requirements were concerned, it counted in every other way that mattered, and she didn’t regret anything.
“I’m glad you’re here, Andy.”
“Kitty Kat, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The family meeting was officially called for later that night. Andy still wasn’t convinced that he’d be welcome in the big house, or anywhere near the family, but Kat had insisted that he come with her.
It hurt, but ultimately, it didn’t matter what the rest of them thought about him; he needed to be there for Kat. She was a strong woman. One of the toughest he knew, despite the way her family thought she needed taking care of. But the last few days—hell, the last few months—had taken their toll and as long as she wanted him, he’d be there for her.
That’s all that mattered.
Still, Andy hesitated before they walked through the front doors of the house he’d up until now felt very much at home in.
“It’s fine,” Kat said. “You belong here. With me.” She kissed him on the lips. “I’m glad you’re here.”
It was all he needed to hear.
Everyone was already gathered in the living room when they walked in hand in hand. Steven made it clear that everyone in the family was welcome at the meeting, not just the siblings, as this was to be the last meeting.
All heads turned in their direction when they walked in. Craig jumped out of his seat, but Symon—who should have been in Switzerland—stood and grabbed his arm. “Sit down, Craig.”
He pressed his lips together but did as was requested. But he shot a glare in Andy’s direction as they walked across the room and took their seats.
William, the family lawyer, cleared his throat and pulled everyone’s attention to the front of the room. “Now that you’re all here, we can get started.” He gestured to Steven. “Go ahead.”
Steven stepped forward and clasped his hands together. “Your father truly had some different ideas when it came to the execution of his will,” he said. “And I must tell you, as unorthodox as it’s been, it has been one of my great pleasures to see the way all five of you have leaned into the process. I can say with complete certainty that your father would be proud of each and every one of you.”
Andy squeezed Kat’s hand a little tighter.
“Does this mean it’s done?” Chase asked. “Did Kat finish her list?”
“We still don’t know what all was on it,” Asher said.
Steven responded with a kind smile and looked in their direction. “Kat?”
Kat always knew she’d tell them about the list when the time was right, and now that she’d completed it, it no longer felt as if it were hers and hers alone. Keeping part of it to herself was a way of clinging on to a piece of her father and their relationship, but she no longer felt like she needed it.
Maybe that had been his plan all along. He knew she would save the camping trip for last and that she would need it the most.
However he’d meant it to work out, the only thing that mattered was that she felt better about it now. As much as she missed him and always would, for the first time, Kat felt at peace with his death.
That sense of peace carried through her as she explained the last forty-eight hours to her siblings, who all reacted to the information with a varying sense of surprise.
“Wait. So you were in the middle of that storm last night?”
“What were you thinking?”
“You were camping? By yourself?”
“What the hell, Kat? You could have gotten hurt!”
“That was so irresponsible.”
Kat blew out a breath and lifted the mug of tea that Annie had brought her to her lips. She focused on inhaling the warm, spicy chai before taking a tentative sip. It wasn’t until she’d savored the hot tea and lowered the mug again that she attempted to address any of their questions.
“Are you done?” She looked around at her siblings, her gaze landing finally on Charli, who was the only one who’d been quiet. She smiled encouragingly, and Kat gratefully returned it. Andy had filled her in on how supportive Charli and Symon had both been the night of the incident.
With a deep breath, Kat explained how the solo camping trip had been the last thing on her list. Only Andy and Kane knew about it, both for different reasons.
“You knew?” Chase turned on Andy. “And you let her go up by herself?”
“Enough.” Kat narrowed her gaze at her eldest brother. “He didn’t let me do anything, because I am a grown woman who doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do anything. Just like I don’t need protecting from…” She held up her hands and dropped them again. “Well, anything. Now, please , if you could all drop this ridiculous overprotective schtick and just listen , I would really appreciate it.”
She waited until they all sat back in their seats, with their mouths shut.
“Okay.” She started again. “So the request was that I go on a solo backpacking trip and sleep under the stars.” She looked at Steven. “I did that the first night, but then I decided to stay.” Her lips curled up into a smile as she remembered why she’d decided to stay. “It was amazing up there.”
Steven nodded knowingly. “He would be so pleased to know you stayed another night.”
“But then…” Kat turned to Andy. “He came up to find me and stayed, so technically, I didn’t do it on my own. Does that…I mean…did I mess it up?”
She held her breath, but there was no need to be worried .
Steven shook his head. “You didn’t screw anything up, Kat. Your dad appointed me to oversee everything and make the final decision if there was uncertainty. But the way I see it, there’s no uncertainty here at all. The requirement was one night. As far as I’m concerned, you completed your assignment.”
Relief filled her and a weight she didn’t know she’d been carrying lifted from her shoulders. Andy squeezed her thigh, and she moved closer to him.
“I think it’s important to note one thing.” Steven was still talking. He stood from his chair and moved to the front of the room. “What Michael really wanted for all of you was your happiness. That’s what this was all about. I can’t pretend to know exactly what your father was thinking when he came up with this plan. But I did know him pretty well, and I can say with complete certainty, that if he were sitting here right now, he would be so pleased to see what wonderful people you all are and the way you’ve come together. Also, I think he would be delighted to see how his family has grown, with so much love. But there’s tension in the air today and you all know as well as I do that he’d hate that.” He took a moment to look at each of them in turn. “Don’t let misunderstandings or miscommunications get in the way of the bond you all have.
“It has been one of my great pleasures to do this final thing for your father. But now, I’m happy to say my time here is done. It’s time for me to move on. I think the white sand beaches of Costa Rica are calling me. Thank you for allowing me to be an important part of your family for all these years.”
Steven stood quietly for a moment as if he were taking it all in before he clapped his hands together and turned to William, who sat ready to read out the details of their father’s estate once and for all.