Grounds for Impropriety (Hawthorne Hall Book 1) by Parker Roberts

Author:Parker Roberts [Roberts, Parker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

The planning phase commenced. They estimated that fifty candles and fifty Duraflame logs would be enough to see them through the week, and while the logs were anachronistic to the regency period, no one wanted to take an ax to any of the estate’s ancient trees. Before Chef Bartolomeo could leave for the night, they convinced him to simplify the menu and swap his gas ovens and stoves for the simplicity of an open flame. Josh and Mr. MacKinnon headed out for supplies before the stores could close as the rest of the guests made their preparations for pre-postmodern life, which entailed texting and calling loved ones to let them know they’d be going dark. For Kelly Thatcher, it meant addressing her social media absence with a suspenseful “to be continued…” Instagram reel.

The Hawthornes were approaching overdue for a conversation with Corey and wanted to let her know they’d be unreachable for the next handful of days. However, just as May, Avi, and Gracie were gathering around Gracie’s laptop to Facetime their baby sister, Corey beat them to the punch. Gracie accepted the call.

“Hey, Sis,” Gracie said. “We were just about to call you.”

“Where’s Josh?” Corey asked.

“He ran to the store…which is kind of what we were calling to tell you. We’re shutting everything down.” Gracie said. “The guests asked if we could make Hawthorne Hall even more Regency by shutting off the lights, the heat…”

“The internet…” interrupted May.

“So I’m not going to be able to talk to you the rest of the week?” Corey asked.

“No, but it’ll fly by,” May said.

“Well, that sucks,” said Corey. “The hits just keep on coming.”

“What do you mean?” Gracie asked. “What’s wrong?”

After taking a deep breath, Corey continued, “Avi, I’m so sorry…but you may need to shut down more than just the electricity and internet.”

“Why would I need to do that? We can’t be that far in the red already, can we?”

“Not exactly. Listen, I just got a call from Uncle Mel and Ken’s lawyers asking for your mailing address. Avi…they’re contesting Grandma’s will.”

“What?! They’ve had more than five months to do that and they wait ‘til now?” Gracie asked.

“Yeah, well it takes time to contact lawyers, more time to find lawyers who think they have a case, and even more time to find lawyers competent enough to win. And we’re not talking Dole, Everman, and Dole, here. They’re using a very tenacious firm…probably costing them an arm and a leg, which I don’t think they would do unless they were sure they could win.”

“Wait…timeout…” May said, “What does all this mean?”

“It means they’re going to claim Grandma was too cognitively impaired for her will to stand.”

“So Avi would have to give back all the money?” Gracie asked.

“Not all of it,” Corey replied. “They want it split between all the family members…which would still be hundreds of thousands, but nowhere near enough to keep Hawthorne Hall going…not even if you, Josh and I gave Avi our shares. I’m so sorry, Avi.”

Avi held back

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