Page 21 of A Little Harmless Pleasure

“That’s the rumor. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but I do know one thing. His temper has lost him a few contract bids with some big companies. He lost the Hilton job down in Boca Raton.”

“That was a sure thing.”

Max sighed and took her hand, leading her to a couple of barstools. Once they were both seated, he continued. “Your father has been losing credibility the last few years. But the thing I worry about is your trust.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I got it several years ago, and it has been invested well.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure my money is safe.”

He nodded. “That’s good. What I have to worry about, though, is the mention of your grandmother’s home. Do you know why he would mention it?”

Frowning, she thought back. She’d only been eleven when her grandmother died, and she’d been devastated when the news reached her at summer camp. Her parents had forbidden her to accompany them to Hawaii for the funeral.

“No. All I knew about was the trust.”

The timer went off for the cookies, and she rose to get them out of the oven. Once finished with the task, she turned to face him. “What do you think this is all about?”

He shook his head. “I’m really not sure. There are other rumors about your father. Some say his business dealings are not aboveboard.”

“Father doesn’t like to lose.” It was sad to realize she didn’t respect the man who had raised her. “I hate to say it, but I really think he wouldn’t hesitate to break the law.”

She hated dealing with things like this, but it was allowing her father to run over her for years that had gotten her where she was today. She had to start doing for herself.

Before she could even contemplate everything Max had told her and what it meant, her phone started ringing. It was her lawyer. “Cynthia. How are you doing?”

“Hello, Mr. Barton. I’m fine. How’s Vivian?”

She had known the Bartons for most of her life, and his wife Vivian was one of the sweetest women in Georgia.

“I’ve had a situation arise, and I thought you should know about it. Your father told me he had your permission to sell off your grandmother’s house in Hawaii.”

“I don’t understand. Why would he need my permission?”

There was a short silence, and she heard the squeak of his chair. “Cynthia, you do realize you inheritedallher property in Hawaii, don’t you? It’s part of the trust.”

“All of it?”

Papers rustled. “Yes, you own her house on the North Shore. I understood you visited her there a few times.”

“Yes.” Her knees had gone weak, so she sat on the stool again. Max was looking at her, and he opened his mouth. She raised her hand to stop him. “Yes. I visited her there three summers prior to her death.”

“You own that, along with a little land on Maui. That has condos on it, rentals for tourists. Also, you own a small but profitable macadamia nut farm. All of these were to be transferred to you on your thirtieth birthday. I did try to contact you last week at your parents’ home, but I have since learned you moved out.”

She could almost feel the blood rush from her head, her mind spinning with the implications. “Yes, about a month ago.”

“That’s fine. I didn’t have your number, but I had my assistant search, especially after the disturbing call from your father. He was trying to sell everything. And take the money that has accumulated.”

“Accumulated?”

“Yes, as per your grandmother’s request, we took the profits from the farm, rental property, and her home—which has been rented out these past years—and invested it. You acquired it all.”

“But…she left me a trust.”

He paused as if trying to word his next comment just right. “Cynthia, I know you know there was no love lost between your grandmother and father. She had actually claimed she would disown her own daughter over the marriage, but she relented, thinking family was more important. She did not trust him, however. Your brother was given a trust also, but she claimed him to be a miniature image of your father. She refused to give him more. From what I know, he has already wasted all his money. The Hawaiian properties are part of the trust especially for you. They were to be held until your birthday, then your grandmother wanted you to take possession. She felt you needed the time to mature in order to handle the money and obligations. You just need to come by the office in Valdosta and sign some papers.”

After setting up an appointment for the next morning, Cynthia hung up. By that point, Anna had joined them, her eyes as worried as Max’s.

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