Page 39 of Never Been Gargoyled
“Naturally.” Rebecca gathered her papers and stood, only sending me a vague glance. “Don't take too long. I'm prepared to file a formal petition by the end of the week.”
She pulled out a business card and placed it on the table. “My offer is generous, Ms. Osborne. More than generous, considering it appears you don't actually own the estate.”
With that parting shot, she turned and strode out of the tea shop, leaving me staring after her.
“Well,” I said finally. “That went about as well as I expected.”
“She's confident.” Feydin studied the documents she'd left behind. “But confidence doesn't make her case legal.”
“What do you think? Is she really Helga's daughter?”
“The documents look legitimate. But even if they are, it doesn't automatically invalidate Helga's will.”
I slumped back in my chair. “She would like to do exactly what I want to do with the gardens.”
“But not for the same reasons.” Feydin reached across the table and covered my hand with his. “She sees dollar signs. You see beauty.”
“Will that matter to a judge?”
“It might. But we're not giving up without a fight.”
His hand was warm and strong over mine, and for the first time since Rebecca walked into the tea shop, I felt like maybe everything would be okay.
“So what's our next move?” I asked.
“We do more homework,” Feydin said grimly. “Starting with finding out everything else we can about Rebecca Hartwell.”
Chapter 15
Feydin
The flight back to the estate passed in tense silence. Dazy held tight to me, her body rigid against my chest. I could sense her anxiety radiating outward, mixing with my own anger at Rebecca Hartwell's dismissive attitude.
I landed on the back lawn and set Dazy down, holding her arms until she was steady. She stepped back, smoothing her dress, but I caught the way her hands trembled.
“I’m going to find out everything I can about Rebecca’s finances, her business dealings, anything that might help our case,” I said.
Dazy nodded and made a small sound that might have been agreement. But when I looked closer, her eyes were glassy, and her lower lip was quivering.
She was going to cry.
Panic shot through me. What did monsters do when humans cried? Helga had rarely shown much emotion,and I'd certainly never dealt with a weeping female before.
Without thinking too much about it, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against my chest. She felt so small and fragile in my embrace, and the way she immediately melted into me, clinging to my jacket, made my heart ache.
“It will work out,” I said, my voice gruff. “I promise.”
She pulled back to look at me, hope bright in her eyes. “Do you really believe that?”
The trust in her voice undid me. She was looking to me for reassurance, for strength. I wanted to be everything she needed, but the truth was I had no idea if we could win against Rebecca's claim.
“Yes,” I said anyway because she needed to hear it. “I believe we have a chance.”
“That’s enough. I won’t give up.” Her smile was watery but genuine. “Thank you for everything.”
She headed inside, and I watched until the rear door closed behind her before taking to the sky again. Before I pulled out my phone, I needed to move, needed to burn off the rage that was building in my chest.
I flew over Harmony Glen, circling higher and higher until the buildings below looked like toys. The wind rushed past my wings, but it did nothing to cool the fury coursing through my veins.
