Page 90 of The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

“That it doesn’t matter who owns the chateau or the town, these funds can help revitalize it.” My idea to make this place a destination while also supporting commerce and the livelihood for the locals takes shape.

For the next hour, we go back and forth, speculating about how to handle this. Rightfully, Tickle’s Golden Token was up for grabs and finders equals keepers, however, the time capsule is part of Hogwash Holler’s history.

“I think we need to think. Like a good gumbo, we need to let the pot simmer before we make any big decisions,” Honey says, biting the inner corner of her lip.

“And we should keep this to ourselves for now.”

“I’m afraid Molly probably already knows about us being up in the clock tower. But you’re right.”

“We can share that we discovered the Golden Token and the time capsule.”

“It’s tempting to keep the stock certificate to ourselves.”

“This was a scavenger hunt,” I say.

Her expression turns thoughtful. “That’s tempting, but it’s also like the Christmas decorations in the wall were a time capsule of the life Hogan led with Eloise up until she died. That’s kind of romantic.”

“I’m guessing she really loved the holiday.”

Honey nods. “If only we could get the mayor involved.”

“You mean Chick Jagger?”

We both laugh and study the contents of the time capsule for a few more minutes before heading over to Pigs in a Blanket, stock certificate safely stowed. I’m grateful Thelma is letting us stay here, but I hope to soon move to a place of our own.

Having to leave the chateau after all that work and time invested was hard, but I followed the advice of my new lawyer who has no association with Emberly, er, Ambrette. There’s a chance I could regain ownership, but it’ll take some time to figure out the best angle to approach the situation from a legal standpoint.

Meanwhile, I help JQ tear down his old barn to build a new one. It’s dirty and sweaty work, but the time spent focused on not getting poked by a rusty nail helps me process Emberly’s deception. She kept our baby from me. Given the situation, the chances of me realizing that I had a kid, were infinitesimal. Yet, it was like nothing would stop me, not even a storm or a squall of deceit would keep me from the truth, from my family.

And for that, I have a plan. A big one ... and it involves the stock certificate. I’m going to make an investment with it for our future, but not the financial kind. More like for the security Honey wants and Leonie needs.

The next weeks are a flurry of excitement about the Token and time capsule discoveries. I spend a lot of time with lawyers—real ones as I claim co-parental rights of Leonie with Honey, a case is brought against Ambrette for scamming me with her ill-gotten gains, and determining whether I own Hogwash.

It’s all stressful and unsettling—lots of strings. It’s the exact opposite of the life I said I was going to lead after the divorce. Yet here I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

While I field phone calls, make sure Honey eats three square meals a day, and spend time with our daughter, I realize there are three important things that I need to make happen as soon as possible.

A sense of frantic urgency consumes me. Bright and early on Monday morning, after a breakfast of pancakes at the Laughing Gator Grille, I load Leonie into the truck.

“Where are you guys going?” Honey asks.

“It’s a surprise.”

She lifts her eyebrows.

I smirk. “It’s going to be a day of surprises.”

“Good ones I hope. I’ve had enough of the other kind for a lifetime.”

I kiss her on the forehead. “Great ones. Promise.”

“Leonie is in this too?” She wiggles the baby’s toes.

I wink. “She’s my number one accomplice, but she’s probably still too small to be my getaway driver.”

“Please don’t break any laws.”

“We won’t.”

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