Junior For The Mountain Man

by Crowne, K. C.

  “Your daddy loved you very much, Caleb. He didn’t want to leave you.”

  Caleb’s sad face was like a knife sliced through my heart.

  “Look who’s here,” Tabby said, sounding extra cheery. “It’s Grant! Aren’t you excited to spend some time with your friend, Grant?”

  Caleb turned and looked at me. His eyes were sullen, and he offered no smile.

  “Hey, little man,” I said, ruffling his hair. “Ready to go?”

  “Okay.” He slid from his chair and walked over to put the crayons he’d been using away.

  “He knows about his dad?” I asked Tabby.

  “Yeah, Piper broke the news to him a couple days ago, and it’s just now clicking that his dad isn’t coming back. But he keeps asking because he doesn’t quite grasp permanence just yet.”

  Caleb wandered over to us, his head down. Tabby grabbed his jacket from the cubby and helped put it on him. “It’s getting cold out there. It’s supposed to snow soon. Are you excited for the snow, Caleb?”

  He shrugged.

  When I agreed to take him alone, I was expecting the usual happy-go-lucky Caleb. I wasn’t sure if I was equipped to handle his feelings or the sense of loss he clearly didn’t fully understand. I had no idea what I could even say to make him feel better. It was clear Tabby had tried, and she was an expert. I was just me.

  Tabby walked with us to the door, making sure Caleb was bundled up. “Oh, one more thing.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out some keys. “You need to get his car seat from Piper’s car before you leave. If you need some help, let me know.”

  “I’m sure I can figure it out.”

  Tabby looked unsure but nodded. “Well, don’t hesitate to ask if you need help. On second thought, maybe—”

  Piper came up behind her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it, sis.” She didn’t look me in the eye at first, but she took the keys back and motioned for me to follow her. “Caleb can wait inside until we’re done,” Piper said. “It’s too cold for him to be standing out here for long.”

  I followed her out to her car, and she bent over the back seat. It was hard not to check out her ass and think about how nice it had been to have my hands all over it. I cursed myself for having such thoughts when she was clearly in distress.

  She stood up and handed me the seat, then motioned for me to follow her to my truck.

  “You know, if you’re afraid of things being awkward between us, this isn’t helping,” I said, speaking before I thought over my words.

  She turned on her heels. “Is that what you’re worried about, Grant? Awkwardness? Because I have a whole list of worries that come before that one.”

  “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. What I meant was—”

  “What you meant was you want to talk about the other night, and I get that. I do. But I don’t think I’m in the proper headspace to handle the emotions involved with whatever we have— or don’t have, as the case may be. Not right now.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to figure out the sudden change toward me,” I argued. “Excuse me if I’m a little confused.”

  “Welcome to the club, Grant. Because I’ve been confused about you since I was seventeen years old, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

  She jerked the car seat out of my hands and worked on installing it. I stood back with my hands in my pockets, not wanting to stress her out even more. When she was finished, she called Caleb out and strapped him in properly, kissing his cheek and wishing him luck. She closed the door and pivoted to face me.

  “Piper, listen, before you go… I’m sorry if I’ve caused you problems. That’s the last thing you need right now.”

  She sighed, and her shoulders drooped. Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Grant. It really means a lot to me, all that you’re doing for Caleb. I just don’t want us being stupid here, especially me. I’m weak when it comes to you, and Caleb needs me to be strong right now.”

  Her entire body trembled as she suppressed the sobs trying to escape her body. She needed me to be there for her. I wrapped my arms around her, and surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. She let me hold her close as she cried into my shoulder.

  “My aunt and uncle from LA are interested in adopting Caleb,” she revealed, her voice so low, I thought maybe I’d heard her wrong.

  I pulled back so I could look her in the eye. “What did you say?”

  She sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve. “Apparently, I have a great aunt on my dad’s side, someone I never met. She’s always wanted kids, couldn’t have them, and wants to adopt Caleb.” She stopped as if to gather her emotions. “She’s got money, Grant. Lots of money. A nice house with a yard in a ritzy part of Los Angeles, everything he could ever want. And all I have is— well, nothing.”

  “Piper, there’s no way some distant relatives from California is better for that boy than you. I don’t care how much money she has. You’ve been there when Andy wasn’t.”

  “Tell that to Social Services and the lawyer reading the will today,” she muttered. “I mean, they still could choose me over my aunt, but I don’t see how they would.”

  “They will choose you to care for Caleb, Piper, because there’s no one better than you. You’ve changed his diapers, you’ve been there when he’s sick or hurting. He knows you, he loves you. He doesn’t know or love this other woman, and the last thing he needs is to lose someone else he loves.”

  “I hope you’re right, but…”

  “No, I’m right,” I said, taking her by the shoulders and forcing her to look at me. “And don’t you dare doubt it, not even for a second.”

  She nodded. “Alright. I just hope they see it that way.”

  “They will,” I said, but I wasn’t so certain either. I had no idea how any of this worked, but I prayed I was right. If they knew what was good for the boy, they’d let him stay with Piper. But I knew firsthand that sometimes, money could get you almost anything you wanted.

  Chapter 12

  Piper

  My aunt Grace sat across from me, her husband John at her side. Neither of them looked familiar to me, except for the slight resemblance Grace had with my father. She had the same nose and facial features, which were passed down to Tabby and me. She had the same raven hair - except hers was mostly grey - and grey eyes, which she didn’t even use to look at us once after we’d arrived. Her husband John was all grey; even his skin looked grey. He seemed older than her by at least a decade.

  In addition to Grace and John, there were relatives from Vegas whom I vaguely recognized from my youth. A cousin named Michaela who looked bored and couldn’t stop messing with her perfectly manicured fingernails. She was eighteen, at most, probably fresh out of high school and only here because her parents, Nadia and Thomas Davis, made her come. Thomas was my father’s oldest brother, and he owned a couple hotels in the Vegas area. He certainly didn’t need the money. Grace and Thomas still seemed close, offering a friendly smile and some choice words upon meeting.

  Everyone ignored Tabby and me.

  Andy’s lawyer looked younger than I’d expect for a lawyer, but he was probably around the same age as Andy himself. I’d expected some crusty old man, but instead we got someone who looked like the star quarterback for the high school football team, only a couple years later after his glory days had faded and a bulging belly from too many drinks with his fraternity brothers in college. He was from out of town, not someone I’d recognized, but I knew his name.

  He was a partner with Andy at his law firm - Davis and Huggins. William Huggins was the only one who bothered to greet my sister and me when we entered, which considering he was a complete stranger, said a lot.

  “Shall we get down to business?” William asked, clearing his throat. “I believe everyone is present and accounted for.”

  We all stared at him with blank expressions on our faces. He went over the basics, plus added in some platitudes about how sorry he was for the loss of Andy. He was a good
friend of his, yada yada.

  “First order of business, his Las Vegas condo and his cabin in Aspen Colorado go to Thomas Davis and his family. His yacht along with his Newport Beach condo was left to his aunt Grace and uncle John. His San Diego condo will go to his cousin, Michaela Davis.”

  That didn’t concern me one little bit. I couldn’t care less about vacation houses or boats. I squirmed in my seat, eager to get to what he’d decided about Caleb.

  “He’s left his remaining fishing boat to Piper and Tabitha’s father, who has since passed away, so it shall go to Piper and Tabitha instead.”

  That caught my attention, not because we cared about a fishing boat, but because my dad was mentioned. How long ago was this will written? He soon answered my question.

  “This will was written before the birth of his son, but it lists all remaining assets to go to his wife and any future children. His assets are set aside in a trust for Caleb Davis, and his Liberty property will go to Caleb and his guardian, and whether it’s sold or kept for Caleb to live in is entirely up to the guardian. If the property were to be sold, fifty percent will go to Caleb’s trust, fifty percent to his guardian for the care of his son.”

  My stomach roiled.

  “Excuse me, but does it say who Andy would appoint as his son’s guardian?” Grace asked, her voice sickly sweet.

  William sighed. “When Andy and I wrote this will, it was after his marriage to Lori. I’d tried to get him to update it after she died, but Andy thought he’d live forever, that he had more time.”

  “So that answer is no, I assume?” Grace finished.

  “No, it doesn’t specify,” William said. “Which means that the matter will be left up to the courts to decide. Temporary guardianship has been granted to Piper Davis, and we will have to proceed from there to determine the best placement for him.”

  “Sounds like Andy to not take care of his kid,” Tabby muttered under her breath.

  I caught Grace staring at me, giving me a once over as if to size me up. She already saw me as competition.

  William closed the file in front of him, crossing his hands over it. “I’ve already been in touch with Ashley Sutter, Caleb’s social worker. I’ll also be acting as Caleb’s legal representative to determine what’s best for the boy.”

  He turned toward me. “Ms. Davis, you’re currently caring for Caleb, and as long as you’re willing, can continue to do so until a decision is made about the best place for him.”

  A knot formed in my throat. They were talking about ripping Caleb away from me. Now that there was money on the table, everyone seemed keen on taking care of him. I’d like to hope money wasn’t their only motivation, but it was hard to think otherwise when no one here had really been active in the child’s life.

  “May we see Charles?” Grace asked, the first words she’d spoken to me since we arrived.

  “Charles?” I raised an eyebrow. “You mean Caleb?”

  “Yes, sorry,” she said rather flippantly. “I’d like to meet him.”

  I looked at Tabby, who shook her head as if to say no. I then looked at William, who spread his hands in front of him. “It’s up to you, Ms. Davis, but please know, at some point, we will likely set up visitation among all parties who are interested in caring for him.”

  I felt like my voice might not come out, but I found the strength. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, right now, as he’s already very confused and scared. Introducing too many potential guardians into his life might make things worse.”

  “I just want to meet him,” Grace huffed. “He’s family, after all.”

  “Yes, I understand that, and I’m sure you’ll get your chance. But right now, I’d rather not upset his routine too much.”

  It took everything in me not to say something about how we were family too, and she’d never made any attempt to meet us. Or how she hadn’t been interested in Caleb until there was an inheritance over his head. But I kept that to myself, remaining tactful, to keep the peace. After all, God forbid she get custody of Caleb. I’d have to get along with her if I ever wanted to see him again.

  “Will he be at the funeral?” Thomas asked me.

  I turned toward my uncle, the man who’d abandoned my family after my mother died, leaving his own brother disabled and with no support from anyone.

  “Maybe.” I’d already decided he probably would attend, at least for a short while. But I was beginning to have second thoughts. My family now looked at him as a prize to be won, and I wasn’t okay with that.

  Damn you, Andy. You knew how our family was. Why didn’t you do one good thing and think of Caleb? He could have given all the money to his family and left Caleb with me. I didn’t care about a dime of it. Except, of course, it rightfully belonged to Caleb. I didn’t trust any of these people to think about his future, not more than their own profit.

  Tabby was watching me closely. Like me, she didn’t trust any of these people as far as we could throw them.

  “I was planning on bringing him to the funeral, at least for a little bit. I’m afraid he won’t understand what’s happening or might get overwhelmed, so we may not stay long at all.” I injected all the strength I had into the next statement as I looked into the eyes around me one at a time. “I’d rather he not be surrounded by new faces. He’s shy and tends to be nervous around new people. I don’t think he needs that stress on top of losing his father.”

  I spoke the truth. Yet, from the look on Grace’s face, you’d have thought I’d told her that bread had no carbs.

  “Well, I don’t see why family should add to his stress.”

  “He’s three,” Tabby said rather bluntly. “He doesn’t know that you’re family. He’s never met you before. To him, you’re a bunch of strangers, and he’ll be dealing with one of the hardest moments in his life. Please, respect that.”

  I didn’t really have to add to it. Tabby had done a damn fine job. I couldn’t wait to pat her on the back. Grace stared at us with disdain before grabbing her purse and her husband’s arm and dragging him from the room.

  “You can’t keep him from us forever,” she spat before leaving.

  Thomas and his family gathered their things as well. I thought he might leave without saying a word, but we weren’t so lucky. He stopped beside my sister and me on the way out of the door and put a hand on my shoulder.

  “It would be wise to work with us, Piper. We’re not the enemy here, I promise.”

  I shrugged his hand off me and stood up. My blood was boiling, and the fact that he thought I was the one causing problems only pissed me off even more.

  “I’m not the enemy either. I’m trying to do what’s best for Caleb. If you can’t see that, well, that’s your problem. Not mine.”

  Tabby followed me out of the room, and we managed to reach the elevator before Thomas and his family could join us. The idea of sharing such a small space with him and his spoiled wife and daughter didn’t put me in the best mood. I might accidentally say something I shouldn’t. I was trying to keep the peace for Caleb’s sake. It was hard, but it was the right thing to do.

  “You handled that like a pro,” Tabby said.

  “You helped.”

  She gave me a crooked half-grin and a shrug. “Yeah, maybe a little.”

  “We’re a good team, sis.”

  “Oh yeah we are. No one can take care of Caleb like we can,” she said, slipping into the elevator with me.

  “Yeah, let’s just hope the state and William sees it that way too.”

  “They will. There’s no way anyone would give those leeches a child.”

  “Well, Thomas and Nadia did raise a child of their own already.”

  “And did you see her?” Tabby cackled. “Her Louis Vuitton purse seemed to be the most interesting thing about her. She had no emotion, nothing.” She scoffed. “I don’t think she has feelings.”

  I shook my head, but I was laughing with her as we stepped from the elevator. I’d never really known my cousin that w
ell, but she hadn’t been nice. I never cared to know her after a run-in I had with her when we were kids when she stole one of Tabby’s dolls and proceeded to lie about it. And she got away with it because her parents never punished her for anything. I’d like to think she’d grown up over the years, but Tabby was right. She seemed just as petulant and spoiled as she had back then.

  ooo000ooo

  “Do you still think we should take him to the funeral with those vultures looming?”

  Andy’s funeral was the day after our meeting with the lawyer, and I was starting to have second thoughts.

  Tabby was dressed and ready to go in her all-black attire, which to be fair, made both of us look a little too goth for my liking. We had dark hair and fair features, and when you add black clothing, well, that’s what you get. My sister turned and stared at me, her hands on her hips.

  “We’ve talked about this already, Piper. He should go, at least for a few minutes, to say goodbye to his dad.”

  I sighed and fell back on my bed. I still wasn’t dressed, dreading the entire affair. I hated funerals. Ever since I had to attend my own mother’s funeral at a young age, just the thought of going into a funeral home filled me with anxiety. I didn’t like crying in front of people. I always had to be strong for my baby sister - when Mom died, then later when Dad died. She was a grown-up now, but I still didn’t want her to see me fall apart.

  And I had Caleb to think about too.

  “I should probably wake him up and get him ready then, I suppose.”

  I rolled off the bed and out of my room. When I opened the door to Caleb’s room, he was already awake and playing with some toy cars on the floor.

  “Hey, booger,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Why didn’t you let me know you were awake?”