Heirly Ever After by Vernon, Magan (best classic novels .TXT) 📕

Gavin laughed, and his smile was so wide that I found my own stretching across my face in return. “Sounds just like Great-Aunt Sarah.”

“I wish they could have met,” I said honestly. “Great-Grandfather would probably love this whole place.”

“You should bring him here after the wedding.”

I paused, the squeezing in my chest now like a vice grip. We didn’t know how long Great-Grandfather had, but it wasn’t long. That’s why it was important to get everything settled here.

But after spending time with the dogs and seeing my cousin smile as he talked about his great-aunt, there was a nagging feeling that had brewed in the back of my brain. What if I didn’t need to find the documents or anything that said I was the rightful heir? What would happen if I just asked my cousin, man to man, for help in MacWebley?

Then my da’s voice wiggled to the forefront.

The MacWebleys are a family of pride. We don’t do charity.

I had to figure this out.

To save my legacy and restore my name with the family in a way that no one would get hurt. Not their pride, and not Madison.

“Yes, perhaps I will see if he’s well enough,” I said quickly.

“We can make whatever accommodations needed.” He had a slight smirk on his lips. “And if you’re dating my future sister-in-law, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of you around here anyway.”

I sensed all the color drain from my face.

Of course the man knew it was all a farce, but he wasn’t going to come right out and say that.

“She’s a good friend,” I said honestly. Most girls would have probably kicked me out by now. But not Madison.

Not only was she fucking gorgeous, but the girl was honest and trusting.

A much better person than I was.

“I hope that whatever you two are, that it stays that way.” His face grew serious again.

“Ah.”

I might have agreed, but merely thinking about my damsel and what would happen when this was all over had that troublesome feeling back in my brain. I had to figure this all out for Great-Grandfather and somehow make sure there weren’t any casualties.

A feat much easier said than done.

…

Once the sun started to set over the horizon, casting oranges and reds over the rolling hills, Gavin released the dogs, and we headed back inside.

I planned on retiring to the bedroom, maybe calling my sister, but as soon as I stepped back into the manor, I knew neither was an option. Madison stood on the marble floor, shifting from one foot to the next as she looked at a painting.

“Madison? Is everything okay?” Gavin asked, slowly approaching her.

She turned, both feet now firmly planted on the ground as she clasped her hands tightly together in front of her, her sketchbook tucked into the crook of her arm. “What? Oh. Yes. Just waiting for y’all to get back. Thought after your family catch-up time, I could maybe walk the property a bit with Jacob?”

Gavin nodded, the tick back in his jaw. But then I spotted something else. That hint of a smile again. What the heck was that for?

“Absolutely,” he said then faced me, a new sparkle in his eye as he put his hand out. “It was good talking to you, Jacob. I’ll see you at dinner.”

I took his hand, shaking it briskly. “Sounds grand.”

Once he let go of my hand, he nodded to Madison. “Watch so this one stays out of trouble, right? I think he might try to take Koda home with him.”

Gavin laughed, but my shoulders tightened. I swore I saw Madison’s do the same little twitch.

As soon as Gavin was down the hallway and I couldn’t hear his footsteps, I offered Madison my arm. “Shall we?”

“Yeah, we shall. Or whatever.” She marched past me toward the veranda, not stopping until she was a few meters down the hill.

I followed her quickly, stopping once I reached her side. With the setting sun and the beautiful canvas of hazy orange behind her, she was framed in a halo of bursting color that brought out the dark gold of her eyes.

Darn, I wanted to kiss her.

Even if only to engrain this moment in my memory and try to forget about everything else swirling through my head.

But before I could step closer to make that move, she huffed, pulling her sketchbook closer to her chest, little stamps of charcoal marked on her fingers from brushing the pages.

“Can you ride a horse?” she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Not the question I was expecting.

“A horse. Can you ride one?”

I nodded. “Yes. It’s been a few weeks, but I’ve ridden.”

The last time before we’d sold the horses and the stable.

Another punch to my already guilt-ridden gut.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been on more than a pony ride, and now all of a sudden my sister is all sophisticated and says we’re going on a ride tomorrow with my mom and her new sister-in-law. How the hell do I even get on a horse? Or get it to move?” She threw one arm to the side, and I caught a glimpse of her sketchbook, the hills of Webley Manor sketched in the background.

The tightening in my chest was now gone and replaced with champagne bubbles. Dammit, she was cute when she did that. Being real. She always was. I was the one hiding.

“I can teach you all of that.”

“By tomorrow?”

I glanced at the stables then back at her. “How does right now sound?”

She blinked, following my gaze. “Really?”

I might not have been the best or most honest date in the world, but it really had been weeks since I’d ridden. And if I could see more of the property and get out in the fresh air to think, I’d take it.

And maybe it wouldn’t hurt to be alone with the beautiful woman in front of me.

“Yes. I’ll just need to change, then I can contact one of the maids to get us in touch with the stable master.” I