Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble

Author:Colleen Coble
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2019-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

23

Harper couldn’t let anyone see her knees shaking. Holding Bear in her arms was her one steadying influence. She pasted on a gentle smile and nodded to Willow.

Willow turned from the display case, and her green eyes widened. “What are you doing here? We’re having a private family meeting.”

Bernardo cleared his throat. “I called her, Willow. She’s named in the will and has to be here for me to proceed.”

Willow waved a hand encrusted with rings. “Fine.” She shot Harper a glare before she seated herself as far away as possible near the fireplace.

Harper wasn’t sure where to sit or what to do until Ridge handed coffee mugs to everyone, then sank onto the sofa and beckoned to her. She put the mug on the coffee table, then settled on the sofa with room between them. Bear lay down on her lap and put his head on his paws. She took a few deep breaths and prayed to stay calm no matter how upset Willow became.

Bernardo took a sip of his coffee, then set it on the table beside his chair. “First off, let me say I’m personally grieved to lose my longtime friend. Oliver was a good man, an honorable man. I stopped to see him at the hospital and he seemed to be improving. I really thought he’d make a full recovery. I’m very sorry for your grievous loss.”

“Thank you, Bernardo,” Ridge said. “I know you loved him too.”

The lawyer pinched the bridge of his nose. “Indeed.” Bernardo opened his briefcase and extracted a sheaf of papers. “Ridge, you of course know you are the executor.”

“Yes.”

“As executor it will be your responsibility to ensure your father’s wishes are followed.”

“I intend to do whatever he wanted.”

Bernardo riffled through the papers. “Excellent. I’ll read the body of the will now. At the end I’ll give you each a copy of the list of personal belongings he’s assigned to you.”

Harper tensed and Bear lifted his head. She listened to the lawyer drone on about minor gifts to charities Oliver supported. Nothing there for Willow to object to as the gifts were a few thousand each. Willow sat slightly forward in the chair with her hands clasped in front of her. Her intent gaze never left Bernardo’s face.

The attorney took another sip of his coffee. “To my daughter I leave two hundred thousand dollars. To Harper Taylor, daughter of my heart, I leave five hundred thousand dollars. The rest of my estate including all bonds, securities, property, and cash I leave to my son, Ridge.”

Willow’s face surged with red, and she leaped to her feet. “You’re lying! That can’t be right. It should be evenly split!” She turned to her brother and jabbed her finger his direction. “You won’t get away with stealing my share, Ridge. I’ll contest it!” Her eyes narrowed as she faced Harper. “And you! I hope you’re happy.”

The attorney cleared his throat again. “If you contest the will, Willow, you’ll lose whatever your father left you. He’s very specific in his will.

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