Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Shelby
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
The Shaw law office sign hung next to the door on the right side of the cute Victorian home on Main Street.
And the door opened before she got the nerve to knock.
Declan Shaw was even bigger than she remembered, but unlike in high school he wasn’t in a jersey.
He wore navy dress pants, a stiff baby blue long-sleeve button-down, and a blue tie.
He was polished, handsome, with a kind smile and pity in his eyes.
“Ms. Shepherd, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandfather was a great man.” Declan’s baritone voice sounded like a soothing balm to her frayed emotions.
“He really was—thank you for seeing me so soon,” she said, meeting him on the porch and extending her hand. His big hand was gentle as he shook hers.
“I try to keep my mornings open for appointments because when there is an emergency need for a lawyer, it’s usually before nine a.m.” He ushered inside his home office.
“That makes sense—you probably find yourself in court most of those mornings.”
He smiled. “On occasion, though in family law that is never a good sign.”
“No, I guess not.” He walked through what looked like a small sitting room back through another door into an office, with a big desk and bookshelves along every wall framing large windows. “Please have a seat. I’ve pulled up your grandfather’s last will.”
“Has my father been in touch with you yet, if you’re allowed to say.”
Declan grimaced. “I doubt your father would expect me to be your grandfather’s lawyer. So time may be on our side for a little longer.”
“What do you mean?”
Declan handed over a thick, sealed, manila envelope with Pops’s handwriting on the front. Her name was written across the smooth brown paper in his distinctive handwriting.
“I’d like you to read that first and then we can talk about the rest of your grandfather’s arrangements,” Declan said. He set a box of tissues on the edge of his desk, and she could see the green folder that read Shepherd on the tab.
A nervous tremble had her hand shaking as she smoothed the top of the envelope on her lap before she gently opened it. She pulled out a stack of documents but found a handwritten letter from her grandfather on top. Grabbing a tissue, she prepared herself for her grandfather’s last letter to her.
Dearest Shelby,
If you’re reading this, then the day has come for me to leave you and this world behind.
I’m sorry I won’t be there for your next book launch, or to see your face when you find out what I’ve done.
But there are some things we have to do alone in this life.
Now wipe your tears and do me one last favor.
I want you to think very hard before you answer this question.
If you could spend the day anywhere in the world, and do anything you’d like, where would you be and what would you do?
That, my dear girl, is what I wish for you.
And I think I know your answer. You have always been my pride and joy, and my last request is for you to find exactly what you want in life. To trust yourself and your instincts. You’re a Shepherd through and through—adventurous, tenacious, and brave.
You’re also an amazing talent, and I have loved every day watching you grow into an exceptional author. The world needs your stories, and you deserve every success. Follow your heart and chase all your dreams because they will lead you exactly where you belong.
Love, Pops
Shelby wiped her eyes and moved the letter to the bottom of the pile of papers. The next piece was the deed to Pops’s house, then a bank statement, and then more deeds for the boathouse where Pops taught her to sail, and several boats she’d assumed he’d sold.
“I don’t understand. Why all of these deeds and banking records?”
Declan sat with his hands folded on his desk, his brow furrowed.
“Your grandfather left you the house, the boathouse, the boats, and all his wealth. You are his sole heir,” Declan said.
“What? That’s insane.”
“I assure you, Mr. Shepherd was of sound mind, and we even had two physicians conduct mental acuity and physicals of him before he signed the documents in front of two healthcare notaries. You have inherited quite a lot of wealth, which will have some tax ramifications, but he also has you set up with his CPA. We expect to receive some attempts to fight the will, but it is ironclad. It has been for twelve years.”
“Twelve years? He knew he was going to do this for twelve years?”
Declan smiled. “Yes, he was one of my first clients, and he even had several other attorneys at the time. I met him the week you moved to Atlanta, and he was insistent this was what he wanted. He was very proud of you, and vocal about his disappointment in your parents not supporting your dreams.”
“But what about my father, my uncle, my brother, and my cousins?”
“Your father received a large inheritance when your grandmother passed. That was her wish, to leave both her sons something, but your grandfather felt differently. I warned him this could hurt your relationship with your family. But he was steadfast.”
“Because he knew my relationship with my family is basically nonexistent. I’ve always been the black sheep.”
Declan nodded. “He also made the funeral arrangements and asked that his will be read before his burial. If you agree, I’ll notify the rest of the family to be here tomorrow at ten a.m.”
Shelby nodded. “Before the funeral? Isn’t that considered inappropriate?”
“Your grandfather didn’t want anyone attending his funeral out of obligation or a formality while they waited to inherit.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “That sounds like something he would say.”
“As the executor of your grandfather’s estate, I’ve sent the locksmith to his home to have the locks changed.” Declan slid over a new set of keys. “Per his direction.”
“Wow, he really thought this through.”
“We met every year to review any changes that needed to be made, and his wishes never wavered. He wanted to make sure you were well looked after. He said you would know what to do with everything.”
She sat staring at the documents.
“The house is in your name, so you’re free to stay there as soon as you’re ready.”
“Thank you, for being good to my grandfather and helping him.”
“To be clear, I’m your lawyer now too, Ms. Shepherd.
Your grandfather said I should be prepared for a fight and I’m ready.
We have the law, and documentation on our side.
Your grandfather paid in advance for any legal fees for you so don’t hesitate to use them.
Also if you prefer I work with your own lawyers that is fine too. ”
“That won’t be necessary. If my grandfather trusted you, then I do too.”
Declan smiled. “Good. Your grandfather may have been the most unique client I’ve ever had, but he was also the kindest. He would sit and tell my boys stories about his great adventures at sea, and after my wife passed, he had a bench dedicated to her in the park, in front of her favorite roses.”
Shelby sniffled. “That sounds about right.”
“Do you have any questions?”
“How long will the legal battle go on with my family?”
“That’s hard to say. Unlike you, I expect the legal fees for fighting us will discourage your father or uncle from dragging it out for too long. In the meantime you can move into the house or rent it out as a vacation home. My advice would be not to sell it right away.”
“No, I won’t be selling it, ever. All my fondest memories are in that house.”
“Good, I know your grandfather pictured you in his library, writing your next bestselling series.”
“He told you?”
Declan smiled again. “I’m not exaggerating about how much he spoke about you, how proud he was. He believed you were cut from the same cloth as him, starting with nothing and building your own empire.”
“Well after a childhood of hearing his adventures I had no choice but to write them down.”
“The last time we spoke he said you were getting started on your next adventure series, and you’d be needing that library for some added inspiration.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “When was that?”
“Last week. He said I should be ready for the fight and that you’d be staying in town for a while.”
She gasped and wondered if Pops had known his death was near.
“He also said he thought you’d met someone.”
Her blush was instant and the thought of Wesley holding her flooded her mind.
What was even happening? She didn’t belong in Sandy Point or with Wesley Hart.
Her life was in Atlanta and this will would be the final nail in the coffin of her relationship with her family. They would definitely disown her now.
“I’m going to stay at the inn tonight, but I’ll be back for the reading of the will tomorrow.”
“If anyone bothers you tonight, please don’t hesitate to call me or the police. This inheritance is bound to upset some folks,” Declan said, standing. “But once the shock wears off, I hope they’ll all accept it gracefully.”
“We can hope.” She reached out to shake his hand. “Should I leave these with you?”
“You can take them with you, or I can secure them until you have access to a safe.”
“A safe?”
“Typically I recommend a safe deposit box, or a fireproof safe for documents like deeds. They can be replaced but it’s a lot of paperwork and a pain.”
“Okay, I’ll leave them with you for now. But I guess I’ll go to the bank tomorrow after everything is official. Should I reach out to the funeral home?” She held on to Pops’s letter but placed the rest of the documents back on his desk.
Declan passed her another piece of paper with all the funeral arrangements and a schedule. Pops would be buried the day after the reading of his will, next to his loving wife just outside of town at a cemetery on Lighthouse Lane, that overlooked the water below.
“He really did think of everything.” She stood and turned to leave but stopped in her tracks to face Declan. “Thank you for helping my grandfather.”
“I was happy to work with him—he was a kind and brilliant man. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.”
“Thanks.”
Back outside the sun was shining but dread settled in her gut.
She had to face her family tomorrow for the reading of the will and she had a funeral to attend.
But then she could go home. Atlanta was still home, right?
Getting in her truck she wondered what Pops thought her answer to his questions were.
Where would she go and what would she do?
She’d spend her days writing, but she already did that.
But she would also live near the water, and have an office with a great view and a library full of books.
Immediately Pops’s library came to mind.
It had always been her favorite place in the world.
She could see the water from there while sitting in a library full of books.
During college she would spend every summer in Sandy Point, and sit in Pops’s library where she would write, and drafted what became her first bestselling book.
Those were some of the best summers, visiting with her grandparents, sailing in the afternoons, and spending every other moment in Pops’s library writing.
Shaking her head, she realized she hadn’t moved from where she was parked outside Declan’s office. She’d said she was going to go to the inn, but she changed her mind. There was only one place she wanted to be, and it was hers now.