Rula Sinara - Almost A Bride

“Actually,” Joel said, nudging his glasses higher on his nose, studying the document for confirmation, then looking up at Gray. “It says here that the other half of the house belongs to you, Dr. Zale. And that the property cannot be sold or leased without both parties agreeing to the arrangement.”

“What?” The question shot out of her father and Gray simultaneously. Mandi had no words. She couldn’t wrap her head around what had just been said. Gray owned half of the house? They shared Nana’s house?

“This isn’t happening,” she muttered, sinking in her chair. She clutched her purse and closed her eyes. Why, Nana? Why? Her father stood up and braced his hands on the edge of the desk.

“Are you sure? She was old. Were you there when she wrote this up? Was she coherent? Was she of sound mind?”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Mandi said.

“Sit down, John. And yes, I’m sure. And for the record, I’ve never known your mother to be anything but sharp and sound minded.”

John sat, shifting his weight to one side and grinding his jaw. Gray pinched the bridge of his nose and hung his head for a moment, the way he did whenever he needed to gather his thoughts. Mandi would bet her life he wasn’t comfortable with the situation. She knew him well enough to know he didn’t want or expect anything from her grandmother. He took a deep breath and let it out, then leaned forward in his chair.

“Does she explain why? Like, what I’m supposed to do with it or what she wants done with it?” Gray asked.

“There is a little more. A note. It says, To Dr. Grayson Zale, I leave you half of my property, to be shared with my granddaughter, Mandi Rivers. I hope you can carry on our work protecting the beach and saving the turtles. You were like a grandson to me and we were more alike than you’ll ever know. We cared about the same things in life, you and I. Keep it all close to your heart. ”

There was a moment of silence as Joel linked his fingers.

“That’s all she has, apart from stating that anything not mentioned specifically should be assumed to belong to Mandi.”

“I share a house with Gray.” It was all she could say. It was surreal. Cruel. Nana wouldn’t do that to her.

“If you’re done, then I’m leaving,” John said. He scowled as he stormed out of the room, but Mandi saw his eyes beginning to water and his chin quiver when he thought they could see only his back. Her heart went out to him. The man had his faults, but he was human. No doubt he was upset about the money, but his pride and feelings had been hurt, too. They had to have been. Was this Nana’s way of trying to teach him what mattered in life? That it wasn’t about money and possessions?

“These are for the two of you.” Burkitt held out two copies of Nana’s house keys.

Gray had a key to the house.

She really needed to go back to bed.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.