Page 51 of The Mountain Echoes
Celine’s glare follows me, but I ignore it. I don’t even bother to look at Maverick. I can only imagine what he’s thinking, not that he has a higher moral ground, consideringhe’s sleeping with a married woman out in the open.
Disgusting!
“Everyone settled?” Mac asks dryly, looking around the room. “If anyone needs to tinkle, now’s the time.”
“Tinkle?” I raise an eyebrow, amused.
He smiles. “I got grandkids.”
He looks around to see if anyone wants to speak or tinkle. Then he adjusts the stack of papers and clears his throat. “As per the decedent’s explicit instruction, I am to read the entirety of the last will and testament verbatim, without summary or omission.”
I lick my lips and exhale, feeling acid churn in my stomach.
What if Papa didn’t remember me at all? Forgot I existed? This will be the ultimate rejection. He’ll be sayin’ that even on his last breath, I didn’t mean much to him.
“I, Rami Ignacio Delgado, being of sound mind and body, and acting of my own free will, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all wills and codicils previously made by me.”
He finishes that by reading the date out loud when the will was signed and notarized.
Silence falls in the room, only disturbed by some heavy breathing, the clearing of a throat, and some excessive sighing by Hudson.
“Article One. Specific Bequests. To Celine Frances Delgado-Williams, my youngest daughter, I bequeath full ownership of the Aspen apartment located in the Crandall Building, as well as all personal property andfurnishings therein. I also bequeath to her the entirety of her mother’s jewelry collection, stored in the safe at Longhorn Ranch.”
Celine gasps, hand to her heart. Her fingers curl around Maverick’s sleeve. “Mama’s things,” she whispers. “Oh my God.”
Mac doesn’t pause. “To Aria Soledad Delgado, my eldest daughter, I bequeath the primary residence known as the Longhorn Ranch house in full and without encumbrance. I also leave to her my collection of ranch ledgers, journals, and historical documents, which I hope she will find helpful—or at the very least, honest.”
I swallow.
Celine hisses something, but I don’t pay attention to it, can’t hear over the ringing in my ears.
He didn’t forget me.
Papa didn’t forget me.
Nadine pats my hand, and when I look at her, shocked, she smiles.
“I told you,” she breathes.
Mac doesn’t wait for us to digest the information he just delivered. He keeps going, “To Earl Cotter, my lifelong friend and foreman, I bequeath the north bunkhouse, along with five acres of land surrounding it, to be held in fee simple. He is entitled to full ownership, and no heirs or assigns may contest this gift. Earl, may this patch of earth give you rest and pride in your remaining years.”
Earl grunts. His eyes go soft. “The sumbitch said he’d take care of me. Didn’t think he would…but….”
I grab his hand and squeeze, happy that Papa did this for Earl.
“To Nadine Brewer, who has stood beside this family with grit and grace, I bequeath the orchard cottage and five acres around it, to be held in full ownership. Nadine, may you live the rest of your days with the dignity and independence you’ve more than earned.”
Nadine squeals, which is a remarkable sound, considering what a hard ass she is.
I grin. “I should’ve recorded that.”
She smiles sadly.
Mac’s voice goes low and ominous. “To Hudson Williams, I leave nothing. You are not my blood, nor have you honored my name or my daughter.”
Hudson chortles. “Son of a gun! Even after his death, the old man has it in for me.” He raises his glass as if in a toast. “To you, old man, I hope you’re burning in hell.”
“Stop it,” Celine cries out. “Stop it.”
