The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (speld decodable readers txt) 📕

realize. I need to get the man some more professional pieces for the future. Just in case I need him to appear in person again.

“Here you go. You can keep this copy. You are the corporate attorney, correct?” George is so helpful.

“I am one of the corporate attorneys, and I’m Mrs. Nelson’s attorney. The first Mrs. Nelson, that is.” Bob takes the document and skims to the last page.

“Well, I’m the second Mrs. Nelson’s attorney, so glad we could sort all of that out,” George says. “You’ll find everything is in order, sir. John made sure Tish was provided for. He was so very generous because he loved Tish here so much.”

George has all the answers, and he’s killing them with southern kindness. The proverbial honey drips from his tongue. As for me, I relax just a little. I finally have someone on my side. George is very convincing when he wants to be, and it appears he really does know what he’s doing.

He points to the document. “You’ll see it’s all witnessed and the like. It’s all buttoned up, and it supersedes any other wills. It’s the last will and testament of John Williams Nelson.”

Kate has been reading over Bob’s shoulder. Her words are ice. “This can’t be real. I don’t believe it. That doesn’t even look like John’s signature.”

George chuckles. “Oh, it’s real all right, ma’am. You can bet your bottom dollar on that.”

Sandra walks into the room carrying his coffee and hands it to him with a proper napkin.

“You aren’t going to get away with this, Tish. This will cost you, dearly.” Kate glares at me once more. “Bob, come with me.”

“Oh, Kate, one more thing. Just because I want us to get along, for the good of the company, I want to give you a heads up,” I say.

Kate’s voice is ice. “You want to give me a heads up? About what exactly?”

My face is flushed with excitement. “Even though the new will doesn’t give her a penny, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Ashlyn.”

“No. You won’t.” Kate walks out the door.

I yell, “If you need me, you know where to find me. Corner office.”

George and I watch as they scurry away.

Once they’re gone, I walk to the door and gently close it.

George takes a sip of coffee and leans back into the couch, puts his dirty shoes on John’s glass coffee table. “Nice digs you’ve got here, kid.”

I want to yell at him to act more sophisticated, to sit up, to stop being a country hick. When we got together last time, a week before the IPO, down at the Franklin County Courthouse, he didn’t even wear a tie. I was furious. But I must admit his performance just now was quite impressive, so I bite my tongue.

“I’ve come a long way, Uncle George. A long way.” I lean forward. “You need to make sure my momma keeps her mouth shut. Can you do that? Whatever it takes?”

“Your momma? You all haven’t spoken for years. She has no idea where you are.”

“Ashlyn called her. They spoke. Just make sure she doesn’t talk to her again. Understand?”

He’s laughing. “Didn’t think that girl would have it in her. But I hear you.” He takes a sip of coffee. “Your momma will be told to keep her mouth shut, or else.”

“My momma always did try to ruin my life. I don’t care what it takes to stop her,” I say as I stand up and walk to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“She also called Ron, the dentist, the little brat,” I say without turning around.

“Ron is irrelevant. Don’t worry. Just keep your cool, and stay away from the daughter,” George says.

I turn around and take in the incongruity of George sitting in this sleek executive office. I can’t believe he’s here. We’re here. The weight of the situation settles over me as I walk to my desk. This is a big company. I’m now expected to run it. Actually, Kate will run it and I will help, like John did.

“Breathe, sugar,” George says. “You look tense.”

“I just need to take this seriously. It’s a big job.”

“From assistant to president is a big leap,” George says. “Before you get too comfy as an executive, do you think you could make me another cup of coffee for the drive back? One last menial task.”

“Sure, George. As long as you call my momma while I’m making it.”

“I’m already ringing her number, sugar. Don’t you worry. I know how to put her in her place.”

CHAPTER 37

KATE

As I walk back to my office, I try to keep my face neutral, the anger hidden. I don’t want the team to see Tish is winning this little fight at the moment. The staff senses my mood anyway, and people duck into their cubicles and offices as I pass by.

This is unacceptable. I thought Tish would be long gone. I seem to have underestimated her. A mistake I will not make again. Ever. I saw that man, her supposed attorney at the memorial service. He was the man in the fedora. This is a setup.

“Give me a few minutes, will you?” I say to Bob as we reach my office. “Read the supposed will. Come back in ten minutes.”

He backs away, likely grateful for a break, and I close my door and walk to my bookshelves. I grab a photo from my display on the bookshelf—John and Ashlyn at a father-daughter campout when she was six. It’s the only photo I’ve kept of John in my office because I wanted to remember this simpler time, at least I tell myself that’s why it’s here. The frame is wood, and the glass is thick. I stare at the image, trying to find a sign of his duplicity, a hint that everything would go so wrong. But I don’t. I walk across the room and put my hand on the window. The glass is smooth and cool under my palm.

There’s a knock on my door. “Come in.” I don’t