Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
W e have permission to inspect your grandfather’s property. Remembering the words as Reilly drove them along the highway to her old home jolted her. Some days it was hard enough to drive by her used-to-be home. So much had happened in the last few years. It was as though she had gradually become invisible to everyone around her. All that she cherished had been lost.
But she refused to go down that road filled with pain. Stepping onto the ancestral land, knowing her failure to protect it, was already going to be incredibly difficult.
How did one just summon strength? Was she too sensitive to be cold and unfeeling? It was just land, after all. If she had to go, though, Reilly would be the person she’d have picked to go with her. He looked at things in such a way that most things were either right or wrong. Though he saw the shades of gray and took them into consideration before making a judgment.
Turning his head, he offered a smile. “We’re almost there. You okay?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. Her throat constricted when the ranch came into sight. The fate of their small number of animals remained unknown to her. Buckle, her grandpa’s dog, had died the same day.
After the car stopped, she beat Reilly to opening the door, exiting the car before he could help. Bulldozers had destroyed the barn and half the house. Wooden stakes with flags of various colors littered the property. Even the large oak tree with her tire swing had disappeared.
The area appeared deserted. It might be after quitting time.
Taking a deep breath, she let it out as she took a step toward what used to be her house. She clapped a hand to her chest. They hadn’t bothered to empty it. What a mess. The porch and front two rooms were gone, leaving the rest wide open. All the things she hadn’t been allowed to take with her mocked her.
“They left half the house.”
“Maybe they realized the value of the antiques in it.”
“Antiques? We used all of those to pay for his treatment. Most of what was left was a bit old, but not that old.”
Reilly remained silent as he studied their surroundings.
“Do you think it’s structurally sound to go inside?” she asked. Not waiting for an answer, she walked to the family room and kitchen and hopped up into them. Everything remained exactly as she had left it. She lovingly ran her hand along the oak dining table.
In the kitchen, she opened a cabinet and fished out a tin can. Opening it, she laughed at the wad of bills inside. “I can’t believe I’d forgotten about this. At least they didn’t get all of his money. He never did trust Mr. Rodgers. Said the man left a bad taste in his mouth.”
“That sounds like him,” Reilly said with a chuckle.
“Reilly, is it possible to halt this so I can retrieve my things? I’d like a few mementos of my family. Look, the family Bible is still there. I’m taking it today.” She picked it up and clutched it to her chest. “I got the raw end of the deal, didn't I?”
“Excuse me a moment.” Reilly walked away, dialing his phone. Happiness shone in his eyes when he came back.
“I called the judge. The demolition shows their disregard for anything of value here. Everything's yours; there's a two-day injunction on the demolition.”
Her jaw dropped momentarily. She unexpectedly embraced Reilly. That hug was a total expression of thankfulness. The hug she received in return was a balm to her soul.
“Let’s get movers scheduled. Oh my, who can we get on such short notice?” There also was no money to pay for movers. “I think I’ll just take what I can put in your car. Maybe if we make a couple of trips?”
“That’s my Lynne, too proud to ask for help.” He smiled gently. “I've already made the necessary arrangements. They’ll come tomorrow. Let's fill the car today; afterward, we'll arrange for someone to bring the horse trailer.”
“I can’t let you do all that?—”
“I want to do it for you.” He looked deep into her eyes. What was he trying to convey? Was he trying to make up for sending his mother to cut her into pieces?
Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Okay.” She’d accept his gift, but no matter how many gifts he gave her, she could never truly, honestly love him until he apologized. Maybe not even then.
“Too bad we don’t have boxes,” he commented.
Laughing, she pointed to a cabinet door. He opened it, and his eyes widened.
“Grandpa saved every plastic bag he ever received. You never know when they’ll come in handy, he’d say.”
“Strange as it is, they’ll help today. But I do think boxes will be in order. Would you mind if I quickly go into town to pick some up?”
“I’m a grown woman, Reilly.”
He started to wink.
“Don’t you dare! See ya!” She laughed.
As soon as he left, she went straight to her grandpa’s bedroom.
Standing in the doorway, a wave of despair tore through her. Her cheerleader in life was gone. He’d always been so sure that anything she did was the right thing. He had never allowed her to doubt herself. Second guessing wasn’t acceptable.
The watch he always wore still sat on the bedside table. It wasn’t an expensive watch, but it had been his father’s and he’d worn it with pride. He’d said it reminded him that you didn’t have to have the most expensive or the newest. Reliable things in life sustained him.
Antiques? Smiling, she shook her head. He would have had a good laugh at that. Carefully, she gathered the photos he’d framed and put them into a bag along with a sweater he often wore. It still smelled like him. The last thing she added to the bag was the crucifix that hung on the wall.
As she turned to leave, the floorboard creaked, and she laughed. The hiding place. There was never much in there, but why not check? Kneeling, she pried up the floorboard, revealing a metal box.
Puzzled, she lifted it up, placed it on the floor and opened it. Inside was a silver necklace her mother had once worn. What a treasure! There was also the deed to the property. She tucked both items into another bag and put it inside the first one that she had almost filled.
She heard the car and stood, but before she could go to the front to greet Reilly, she was blocked by West. He stood in the hallway, looking beyond mad.
“I just got the call. All of this belongs to me now. You have no right to be here. It’s called trespassing. I suggest you leave as soon as possible. Though I didn’t see your bike outside,” he said in a condescending tone.
“No, no bike today.” She pushed past him to the kitchen.
“You’re lucky I edged you out of our practice instead of allowing you to be sued. I did you a favor, and you call Reilly to help you? He laughed when you finally went back to school. I believe his exact words were ‘good riddance.’” He stepped closer. His face had turned an angry shade of red. “I want you gone. Gone from this house and gone from Tyrone. I can deal with the McKeegans. Who do you think they’ll believe? You?” he mocked.
“I wish I could say you don’t scare me. Did you wait until I was alone?” She nodded at his flinch. “That’s what I thought. I no longer care what other people say or who wants me gone. I don't require your approval to live my life.” She quickly took her bag and hopped down to the ground. Walking away wasn’t being afraid, it was being smart.
She had her mementoes; she didn’t need more. Her memories would sustain her. It wasn’t worth the fight. She’d just keep looking for the opportunity to live and work where she’d be happy.
Was that Reilly’s car? Hard to tell, but then she realized it was coming from the wrong direction.