“Yeah, well, you’re gonna lose them as an option if you keep stringing them along.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? I spoke to them this morning and told them I would let them know my decision no later than next week.”
“You’re gonna end up with no one, and we’re gonna end up destitute!”
My blood was boiling. “Is that all you care about?”
My mother pointed her finger at me. “I shouldn’t have to worry about what I’m entitled to. Your whacky grandfather put us in this position—not me.”
“Stop being so selfish. We are talking about human life here.”
“No, we were talking about human life—you giving the gift of human life to a nice couple in need and getting us set for life. Now, we’re talking about some ridiculous love child scenario that is destined to end badly.”
“And exactly how do you know that?”
“Kendall, will you look at yourself for a moment? Think about how crazy this sounds from the outside looking in. You go on a trip, fall for the pilot of your goddamn plane…who now wants to father your child? Oh, and I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that you just told him you’re about to inherit millions of dollars! Sweetheart, wake up!”
“Carter is not after the money!” I screamed, startling the horses outside.
“Well, that’s what you want to believe, and quite frankly, I would’ve thought you to be smarter than that.” She stumbled back into her seat then said, “You have been planning a meticulous strategy for months with these nice men overseas. If you went along with the original plan, you wouldn’t have to worry about raising a baby that you don’t want. It would be in a good home. We would be set for life. Everybody would win. And yet…you’re considering doing the total opposite of everything we talked about just because some pilot stuck his face between your legs.”
“You are so vile.”
“Vile, maybe, but I speak the truth.”
“Well, I’m not so sure I want any of this anymore. I might just walk away from the ranch and the money for good. Maybe you’ll never see me again.”
“Don’t talk like that, Kendall. You wouldn’t do that to yourself.”
“I’m serious. This inheritance bullshit has caused me nothing but stress from the moment I found out about it. Don’t act like you really give a shit about me, Mom. You don’t see anything but dollar signs when you look at me now. It’s pathetic. I’m your daughter, not your meal ticket.”
“I’m only trying to help you get what’s rightfully yours.”
“So, I suppose you wouldn’t mind if I had a legal document written up saying you’re not entitled to any of it?”
Dead silence.
I nodded slowly. “That’s what I thought.”
Unable to handle any more of this conversation, I stormed out of the house and drove toward the city. Wiping tears from my eyes, I blasted the music to drown out the thoughts in my head.
When I finally stopped the car, I realized I really needed Carter. I immediately dialed him. Thank God he picked up.
His voice was low and sexy. “How did you know I was thinking about you?”
“Carter…”
He could tell that I’d been crying. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I should’ve never come home.”
“Why are you upset?”
“My mother. She’s saying things to try to brainwash me.”
“Things like what?”
“She thinks I’m crazy for considering your offer. She thinks you’re only after the money.”
There was a long moment of silence before he spoke. The anger in his voice was penetrating. “I can’t even begin to tell you how irate that makes me. First of all, I wish this money situation never existed. Second of all, I’ll sign whatever is needed to prove I have no interest in that money. To be honest, the money part sickens me a little. I just want a life with you, Kendall. I’ll sign any dotted line to get that.” His voice cracked, “Just tell me where to fucking sign, Perky.”
I let out a long breath into the phone. “Just talking to you makes me feel better. I miss you so much.”
“You want me to come there? I’ll tell the airline it’s a family emergency.”
“I don’t want you to lie to get out of work.”
“I wouldn’t be lying. You are family to me now, the most important thing in my life.”
That made my heart melt.
“Thank you for offering, but I think I still need a little more time alone.”
“Okay, but if you start to feel like you need me, just tell me. I’ll be there in a matter of hours.”