Page 85 of Extra Witchy

“Since the old man died?” Leanne guessed.

Biting her lip, Junie nodded several times. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. This is an exception, mind you, because I really do prefer making plans beforehand, but…do you want to have dinner with us?”

Junie’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Sure, come on.” Leanne beckoned, holding on to Trev’s arm as they moved toward the condo building.

“Have you done any grocery shopping?” he asked quietly.

His wife angled an amused look at him. “Of course. I know better than to let the fridge get empty. To say nothing of the cabinets.”

“Then I’ll make something delicious and quick.”

As they got in the elevator, Junie asked, “Have you heard anything from the attorney?”

Every muscle in Leanne’s body tensed, and Trev set a hand on her shoulder, silently telling her to chill. She breathed in and out a few times then said, “Actually, I received a letter via certified mail on official letterhead.”

“What did it say?” Trev asked, mostly because he knew Junie would if he didn’t, and it would irritate Leanne if her mom pushed on this topic.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t even looked at it.”

The conversation hit a lull as they left the elevator and went into the condo. As the door closed behind them, Junie said, “The reason I was asking was because I got one too.”

That surprised Leanne enough that she dropped her purse. “You did?”

“I guess he felt bad and changed his will. When the will leaves probate, I’ll have enough to buy my own place, not that I plan to. I like Blair, and I don’t want to live alone anyway.”

Trev stifled a wave of amazement that Junie knew the word “probate,” but he kept quiet. If Leanne was willing to extend an olive branch, he wouldn’t get in the way. But he would keep an eye on the woman to make sure she didn’t cause Leanne any more problems.

“Do you think they’ll contest?” Leanne asked, likely referring to Dennis Seaton’sotherfamily members.

Junie blinked, pausing in the process of unwrapping herself from all those scarves. “Why would they? It’s what he wanted.”

“People get weird about money,” Trev said. “Now, let me see what I’m working with.”

He left the two women talking in the living room as he headed to the kitchen to check the ingredients. Nothing had been resolved, exactly; they still needed to talk. But he didn’t feel unappreciated or impotently furious anymore.

She wants me here at least. Maybe that’s enough.

Chapter 27

“Open the letter,” Junie urged.

Leanne didn’t argue with her mother; she merely sliced the envelope with a letter opener and pulled out the document. The whole division of property was provided, and since she was named, she apparently got to see all of it. But when she got to the section pertaining to her bequest, she dropped the will in shock.I guess the old bastard really was sorry.He had been generous with Junie, a few friends had done well also, and the rest of his estate was split four ways between Leanne, Brian, Ruth, and Paul.

“Holy shit,” she breathed.

In fact, the numbers were dizzying because there were multiple properties to be liquidated, cash assets, stocks, and…wow.If her siblings didn’t fight the updated will, running for mayor wouldn’t be as much of an obstacle as she’d feared.And all I did was show up.But judging by the date of this amendment, Dennis Seaton made this change when he first got diagnosed.He never planned to make the inheritance contingent on my response.

“That’s incredible,” Junie said, after scanning the pages herself.

“Well done, your life is complete. You pulled off the longest con.”

Her mother stared at her, open-mouthed in shock, and then Junie dissolved in nervous laughter. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“I have no idea how I’m supposed to react. I can’t cry for someone I didn’t know, so if not gallows humor, there’s nothing.”

---