27. Chapter 27
Sneak Peek for Hazel
“There are a few stipulations to the will, of course.”
“Like what?”
Timothy McDonald, our town lawyer, lets out a heavy sigh. “Let me just say, I was opposed to this idea, but your aunt was insistent.”
When Diane Kingston died, it was a hard pill to swallow. We’d all known her COPD was worsening, but it still felt like a gut punch when it finally happened. And it reminded me of watching my own father pass away from cancer.
But then she left me her dog, and apparently an inheritance of some kind. To say I was shocked was an understatement because my friendship with her was completely authentic and sometimes, I’m not sure who benefited from it more—me or her.
But now I’m sitting next to her nephew, waiting to hear about what comes next as her estate is settled, but the man sitting next to me is making me extremely unsettled because I’ve seen him before— when he was drawing a hummingbird on my arm almost a year ago .
“What are you talking about?” Gage—AKA hummingbird guy—asks, and suddenly the urge to throw up comes on pretty strong. I still can’t believe that he was the man who made me question my sanity and singledom. Too bad he disappeared and I never saw him again—until now.
Timothy takes a deep breath. “Your aunt had amassed a total wealth of 10.2 million dollars.”
I can feel my eyes threaten to fall out of my head. “Holy shit.”
Gage blows out a breath. “I knew she had money, but not that much.”
“Yes, well she was smart with her investments and lived well below her means. She made a good living as an engineer and wanted to be able to pass down her wealth to the people that meant the most to her.”
Gage and I share a look before I speak. “So what’s the issue?” I ask. “I mean, even if we split it, that’s still a substantial amount. I still can’t believe that she included me in this.”
“Oh, that was her intention—for the two of you to split the money, but only after you satisfy a set of conditions.” Timothy shifts through a stack of papers.
My stomach tightens. “Conditions?” Gage echoes, beating me to the question. “What kind of conditions?”
I wait with bated breath, wondering what crazy idea this woman could have possibly come up with. I mean, I know Diane was quirky, but this is taking it to another level.
Timothy shakes his head. “In order to inherit the money, the first thing you two have to do is…get married.”
The words hang in the air like a live wire. Gage and I turn to each other, identical expressions of shock plastered on our faces. For once, it seems like we’re in complete agreement—this was the last thing we expected to hear.
But as the weight of the stipulation settles over me, I know I have a decision to make.
I just hope I don’t make the wrong one.