“All right. I can live with that. Tell me the rest. You’re very smart, do they know that? Your brothers, I mean.” He laughed and said that sometimes he had to take a back seat to his brothers, as they were smart as well. “You’re a good man too. Now what? In addition to the grocery store, which I think is an amazing idea, you’ve thought of something else.”

  As he listed things he’d been thinking about for the money, she wrote them down. A scholarship for one high school person per year was a great one. Then there was the idea to have a training place for older people to show them how to use not just a computer, but a phone as well.

  “I love this. I really do. You’ll help us with this, won’t you?” He slid a file to her side of the table. In it were the specs on all the things he’d talked about. The money wasn’t that much to start out—he said that smaller would be better. That way, no one would question the amount they were spending. “Are we charging for these programs?”

  “You have to. It’s been our experience that people don’t trust the word free. Mostly because they think there might be a catch to it. If you have them pay for it, even if it’s just a small amount, they’re more likely to do that than not.” She knew that too. “Also, you might not care for this idea, but I was thinking you could use the money to fund some of the projects that Tate’s Crossing has going.”

  “Why would I not like that idea? I’m a part of this family too, aren’t I?” Layton told her she was his sister. “Good. I feel like you’re my brother too. All of you. I will talk to Joel and see what he wants to do. I’m sure he’s going to love all these ideas as much as I do.”

  “He already knows about them. When I spoke to him about it last night, he told me I had to run it all by you. And your word was as good as his. That’s a great honor he’s given you, Caitlynn. More than I think even he realizes.” She was humbled and told Layton that. “You’re a good person. You and your sister have made a huge difference in all of us. The simple fact that you’ve got Joel laughing again is wonderful. You’re an amazing pair of sisters.”

  After Layton left them, they counted out the money. When they were done looking at the figure, Caitlynne was sure they’d made a mistake, so they counted it again. This time she wrote down the bundles to make sure. She’d been wrong, but in the wrong direction than she’d thought it should have been.

  “Christ, Becca. There is over forty million dollars here. Forty million dollars all in hundred-dollar bundles. What the fuck was that guy doing to stash so much cash?” She reminded her that the pack had another half. “Yes, because that makes me feel so much better about having this much cash in a cardboard box right now. What the hell am I supposed to do with this when the projects we have are funded? Any way you look at it, there isn’t any way we’re going to be able to spend this for a long time.”

  “Put it in the basement. It’s not like anyone can get into this house without your permission—you are all wolves here. And if someone tried to take it, which is doubtful again that anyone would try, use it for good. Like the projects, yes. But put some of it in someone’s checking account when they’re running low. Buy some gift cards with some of it to hand out to people just to say thanks for whatever they’re doing. I’ve done that before. It’s always well received to have some kind of gift card to take your family out.” She asked her sister how many times she’d done these things. “A great deal, as a matter of fact. I don’t doubt they all knew who the money was coming from, but I never said anything. It was just fun for me to see their faces light up when some unexpected money came their way.”

  Not only was her sister a smart businesswoman, but she also had a good heart. Something she might well have missed had she not come home when she did. Of course, she wished it had been under better circumstances, but just being with her and enjoying their time together was more than she thought she’d have gotten when working for Marshall Burkhart.

  “I love you, Becca. So very much.” She told her she loved her too. “You’re the best part of me. I hope you know that. And I couldn’t be happier that you’re with Daniel. He’s a wonderful man.”

  “He is. And I love him. More than I thought possible, to tell you the truth. And I want you to be the first to know. We’re having a baby. I guess wolves can tell almost immediately when they’re going to have a child. Oh, Caitlynne, I couldn’t be happier. I can’t wait until you and Joel have a baby or two.” Caitlynne told her she was happy for them both. And she was too. A baby in the family. She wondered how being a wolf would work in having a baby. Something to ask Joel about. “Daniel and I have been sharing childhood memories with each other. Remember the time Dad let us design the new dolls he sold? I can’t remember a time when I had so much fun.”

  “They were like marionettes, but without the strings. Yes, I’d forgotten about those. They had jointed arms and legs. Not much in the way of anything else, but we certainly played with them a great deal.” Becca remembered too that they had feet and hands made of wood. “When Dad brought us both home the prototypes, he said they were called Becca and Cait. Oh, remember their hair? It was made of bits of yarn that had been stapled to the round block of wood. Yes, and their clothing too. It was made with the same scraps we’d played with. I wish I knew where they were.”

  “I have them both.” She looked at her sister. “When Dad passed away, I took them to town with me. That’s the new design I’m putting together in the expansion. Everything will be updated, of course. No staple in the head this time. However, I’ve made them smoother, as well as their strings are wrapped in wire so they’ll last longer. But I’m only making the two of them to sell. They’ll be able to choose if they want a Becca doll or a Cait doll. Clothing will be different on some of them, but for the most part, they’ll be a sturdy, cheap toy for little kids to play with.”

  “I want a set of them. Please? I’ll pay whatever you want for a set of them for our children someday.” She told her she’d have the first set. “I can’t believe it. My little sister is a genius. I guess I knew that all along, but you’ve just topped the cake. I can’t wait to see them.”

  The two of them talked for a long time. Not really talking about anything earth shattering, but simply catching up. Caitlynne had to admit, she had never seen her sister so happy before. Being in love, she knew first hand, was a gamechanger in life.

  “I have several projects I’m working on now. Not just with this money, but a way for the town to get more jobs coming in. There are a great many people unemployed around here. The buildings we ended up buying are being renovated except for the newer one.” Becca said Daniel was working with Cliff on making a list of businesses that might be interested in the place. “I hope it’s a company that is willing to build a plant here so we can get people working. Also, I know Daniel is working with the Feds about his old boss. I’m to understand there won’t be a trial—they just put him away.”

  “Yes. The president didn’t want it to come out that the pot program was shitty.” Caitlynne said it wasn’t called that. “I know that. But it’s fun to say that like some kind of smoke-off or something. Anyway, newspapers around the country will say he retired, and that’s it. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with the money he had hidden away. There is nothing in banks or offshore accounts to be traced back to the government either. Daniel had been made to take a cut so he’d be complicit. He never used any of it. The president is going to give it to him as a reward. I don’t know how much it’ll be, but it’ll help with us getting started quicker when you count in the money I have coming. Money talks, as you well know.”

  “Yes, I am learning that as well. If it’s not enough, there is plenty here for you to have.” They were both laughing when Daniel and Joel joined them. Caitlynne was happy to see the two of them together. Daniel was such a wonderful man. “We were just talking about this money. There is forty million here. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with this.”

  She told him some of the suggestions they’d come up with. Joel agreed, but she could tell he was distracted. Finally having enough of it, she asked him what the hell was going on. He looked at Daniel and told him to tell them.

  “I’ve been offered a job as alpha to a pack one county over.” Her heart nearly broke at that announcement. “I’m going to take it. We’ve discovered, Joel and his dad, and I have figured out, that I’m a good deal stronger than a normal wolf would be. I have powers, too, that I didn’t have until I met Rebecca. Not that it has anything to do with me taking the position. However, Joseph told me some things that could happen with Joel and me being in the same pack and both of us alphas. There would be bloodshed. Not from us, he didn’t think, but people trying to get to either Rebecca or me as ways of getting to Joel or you.”

  “But I just got to get to know you both again.” Joel told her it was only half an hour away. “I thought we’d live so close I could walk over and see their new baby.”

  “You will be able to see the new baby, honey. They’re going to live in one of the houses we’ve purchased rather than the packhouse on the land. It’s a smallish pack, too. Less than two dozen people.” She asked if that was smaller than his. “It might have been a couple of weeks ago, but since we’re putting in space for businesses as well as the mall project you’re working on, more people are coming here to join this one. He’ll have the same with his in a few months.”

  “I’m going to be working with Joseph for the next few months too. To learn the rules governing a pack, as well as going over some that are out of date.” Daniel kissed Becca. Caitlynne could see how proud she was of him. “I was hoping that when I’m away from the house more and more at the beginning, you and your sister could hang out more. So I know she’s not sitting at home pining for me. That was what Joseph told me would happen. I don’t think he knows my mate all that well. She’d be busier than I will be.”

  She was happy for them, but was also disappointed. Like she’d said, she would miss their time together. But they would live close enough for them to visit and hang out. Hugging them both after inviting them to stay for dinner, she really was beginning to feel like they could make this work.

  ~*~

  “Dad, we can make this work for us.” Cody was getting frustrated with her father. He was just too wishy-washy for her today. Well, most days of late. When he walked around the store they were thinking of buying for them to change into an apartment for the two of them, she sat down on the wire wheel that had been brought in by a construction company just this morning.

  She had three messages and several emails. Cody wouldn’t answer the emails or the messages unless it was either from her sister or brother. She was on her own personal time, and she didn’t do work when she was enjoying her time off. But her family should be here with them. The two of them had set this up for Dad. Answering the one from Paige, she asked her what she wanted. All the message said was, Get back to me. Instead of messaging her back, she simply called her.

  “Yes? What is it now, Paige?” Her sister huffed at her. As her older sister by only ten months, Paige was acting more like their grandma all the time. “I’m at the mall thing with Dad. Do you have something to add to this? Other than you can’t tear yourself away for an hour to come here?”

  “Why are you so snotty with me all the time?” She didn’t bother answering her. “Grandma was just here. She’s pissed off because she wasn’t told about any of this.”

  “That’s funny. You told me that you told her and even marked it on her calendar for her.” Paige huffed again. “Did you or did you not tell her? Because as sure as shit, I’m betting she’s on her way here now.”

  “She is, and no, I didn’t tell her. Grandma will have opinions that don’t matter, and then she’ll insist that she help with the remodeling. I don’t want her to be involved. Her tastes don’t run along the same line as mine do.” Cody told her that her opinion didn’t matter either since she wasn’t living there. “And I suppose you would decorate it the way you like. You have an odd taste in everything, Cody. Why would anyone want to live in a bohemian apartment like you must have?”

  She didn’t bother correcting her sister. Paige only heard what she wanted to hear. Not that she was nasty or anything—not that she couldn’t be—but Paige was way old before her time. Paige asked if she was still on the line.

  “I am. I was just thinking that you’ve never been to my apartment, and I’ve no idea what you think a bohemian place would even look like. What is wrong with you today? You’re acting like someone shit in your oatmeal or something. Is Brian giving you a hard time about your spending? I wouldn’t blame him if he cut you off.”

  Now that was something that Paige did well. However, it was rarely for herself. She’d buy up pallets of diapers and bottled water to have set aside for some huge catastrophe. Not just that, but she’d also have hundreds of dollars worth of gift certificates to hand out to the people hurting from one tragedy or another. She had a good heart, even if it was her sister.

  “Grandma is on her way there. She left here in a huff after leaving the kids so wound up it’s going to take me hours to get them calmed down. She didn’t even have to give them candy or anything. She just has a way about her.” Cody remembered that well about her grandma. And Cody also knew that Grandma had slipped the kids candy too. A great deal of it, if she had to bet on it. “I have three meetings today. The first one is with the school board at the private school the kids go to. Then there is the meeting I have with Kelly’s teacher. She said she’s falling behind. I want to figure out what is going on with her.”

  “Is she behind or bored?” Paige told her what she thought was going on. “Could be that. But didn’t they tell you she didn’t need a tutor? I mean, that was a huge meeting if I remember correctly.”

  “It was that ended in me giving in. I also think she needs glasses. She said there isn’t anyone else in the class that wears glasses, and Kelly refuses to get them. I swear, she acts more like you daily.” She thanked her sister. “That was not meant as a compliment, Cody, and you well know it.”

  “I will take it where I can get it.” She looked at the front door of the place she and her dad were in. “I can see Grandma now. I’ll let you go so I can tell her you’re a snob.”

  “Cody Martin, I swear, you’re such a bitch.” Laughing, she hung up on her sister and went to hug her grandma. “Paige said you riled up her kids. Good for you.”

  “They’re stuck in that house today because it’s raining. When you were little, you’d strip down to your panties and run right out in it. Where is my son? I think I might just have to talk him into buying a bigger place so I can come to visit the two of you a lot. Or buy one for me too. What do you think?” Dad came out of the backroom then and said he’d feel better if he knew someone here. Cody told him that he’d know her. “Oh Peashaw, Herby. You’re a grown assed man. I’m sure you remember how to make friends.”

  “As pleasant as ever to see you, Mom.” He kissed her on the cheek when it was offered to him. “I think I’ll take this one. It’s not too large, and I am liking the back room of it. There is already a nice sized bathroom back there. It’ll need some decorating to make it look less like an industrial one and to add in a shower, but it’s nice.”

  “They said we can have walls put in as soon as you sign the contract.” Cody looked at her grandma. “Let’s go and find you a place. Unless you’d like to live here until you decide. Dad and I were just talking about how he was going to put in three bedrooms so you could.”

  “Do that, Mom. I’d love to have you staying here with us. Or me when Cody is away.” He made it sound like she was gone for days at a time when she only worked at the law firm in town. “We could have fun like we did when my Beth was alive. Say you’ll live here with me.”

  “I don’t know, son. What will you do when I have a gentleman friend over for a night of wild, loud sex?” Dad said he’d listen at her door for input when he had someone over. “Oh, go on with you. Herby, a mother couldn’t have asked for a better son. Trust me, I’ve asked. All right. If you’re serious, I’ll do it. And if you cramp my style, well, I’ll just bury you in the parking lot and be done with you. Now, out to dinner after we sign the contracts, and it’s my treat.”

  The contract was straightforward and what she had expected. There were several loopholes in it, mostly in her dad’s favor, but he was all right with that, he told her. Once he wrote out the check for the entire asking amount, they were on their way to dinner.

  Her dad had money to spare. She did too, but not a great deal. Being an attorney for a small law firm had gotten her some good money, but she’d been paying off her student loans since she’d gotten out of college, and that was taking a great deal out of her checks.

  Paige’s husband was an attorney as well, but for a very large firm. His name was on the door, Peter Brown, while Cody barely made a blip on the radar for the people she worked with. Paige had been a housewife, a title Paige detested since they’d been married.

  Matthew, their brother, was an architect. He didn’t design houses like most of the people in the firm where he worked but worked on things like solar panels for houses. Water in the home that could be used for other things once it was used in the shower or such. Matt, in his spare time, designed furniture for kids’ rooms. Like her, Matt was single and didn’t date all that much. But for different reasons.

  Paige had his entire line of children’s things. Cody would, too, if she ever found a man to stick around long enough for her to want to marry him. Cody knew she was hard on men. They’d try and bullshit themselves into something more than they were. Little did they know that Cody ran a background check on anyone she dated.

 

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