The Next Wife

by Kaira Rouda

  CHAPTER 36

  TISH

  As I sit and enjoy my office, I allow myself to dream about the future for a minute. Kate and I will settle into a routine here, or she’ll leave if she can’t handle it. As for the rest of my life, what will be? I think I’ll sell the house, upgrade to a bigger one in a fancier community. I’d like a swimming pool and a tennis court.

  That’s it. I’ll start tennis lessons. And that’s how I’ll make friends. Because right now, I don’t have one. All I had was John, and then he betrayed me. I need to find a life outside of him. I sometimes wonder if I’ll always be alone. That’s what my momma said: nobody could love me.

  But John did. He did. For a moment in time, I found true love.

  I look up and Kate stands outside my door, a role reversal from earlier. How fun. I shoo her away with my hand and pretend to be busy with something on my desk. She is on my last nerve. Fact is, I found true love, but then she took it away.

  Well, I guess I sort of did the same, but that’s not important now.

  Kate flings open my door and steps inside with Sandra and boring Bob nipping at her heels. It’s suddenly a big old party in my office. I don’t like it.

  “You all need an appointment to see me. Come back later!”

  Sandra holds up her hand and says, “Tish, please, take a deep breath. We don’t tolerate yelling at EventCo.”

  I laugh and shake my head. I focus on Kate. “And what exactly do you want?” Although I can guess, I want to hear her say it. They’ll all be so sorry.

  Kate places both hands on John’s desk, and leans forward. Bob closes the door and follows Sandra’s lead, taking the seats across from me. They’re so dramatic. I feel like they’re trying to be intimidating, but they look ridiculous.

  I drum my fingers on the desk. Impatient and irritated. If only I could get a good night’s sleep, I would be much sharper, better equipped for all of this. My house hates me.

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  My phone lights up. George is fifteen minutes away, stuck in traffic. I need to stall them.

  I type Hurry before returning Kate’s stare.

  I focus on Sandra. “Actually, it’s good you’re here. I looked for you earlier. I need a job posting for an executive assistant.” I smile. “I can see from the look on your face that you realize I’m a tough cookie to replace. But try. It wouldn’t hurt if he were nice to look at. I mean that in the most professional way. Sort of like how John thought about me at the beginning.”

  “You are crazy, young lady,” Bob the troll blurts out.

  He needs to get out of here. “I don’t even know why you’re in my office. I didn’t invite you.”

  Kate stands rigid, fists clenched at her side. “You have exactly five minutes to pack up whatever belongings you have and get out of EventCo. Do you understand me?”

  Sandra moves to Kate’s side and holds up her hand like a cop directing traffic. Why does she do that? “Tish, look, we know you’ve been through a lot and that you’re still in mourning. But you need to go. You resigned, remember? I have all of the paperwork right here. Your employment was terminated by mutual agreement.”

  Sandra sounds like a kindergarten teacher. I am tired. I’m frustrated, and it shows. “You are so right, and thanks for noticing. I am exhausted, but I think it’s important after a loss like this to get back to work, back to the routine,” I say. “The fact of the matter is I resigned my assistant position, but now I’m co-president.”

  Kate exhales. “What? You’re an executive assistant. You don’t have a job. You resigned your only position with the company. Get out.”

  “No.” I say it calmly. Professionally. “Things have changed, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Get out of my office or I’ll call the police to escort you out. Do you want that? Stop pushing me or I’ll—” Kate looks a little menacing, I’ll admit. It’s hard to look menacing in dusty rose, but she’s achieved it.

  And why is she talking about police? She’d never call the cops. “Or what, Kate? I always win when it’s the two of us. Don’t you know that by now?”

  “Young lady, that’s enough.” Bob points his old crooked finger at me and looks like he’s the one who is about to have a heart attack. “I’m calling the police.”

  “Bob!” Sandra yells.

  I thought we weren’t allowed to yell at EventCo? “Sandra. Inside voices. You know that.”

  Sandra says, “I am here to collect your keys and escort you out of the EventCo offices. I assume you don’t have anything to pack up? Perhaps out there, at your real desk? But I believe you took everything with you when you resigned.”

  She should not be messing with me. None of them should be. “I’m not packing up anything. As for this office, my new office, I’m leaving it as is, to honor John. If you keep pushing me, I’ll also take his title, CEO of EventCo, although as a nod to Kate, I was offering to be co-president. Maybe I just need to start over with a new human resources executive. There must be a million who are more qualified.”

  “Stop the nonsense!” Kate is glassy eyed, with a creepy-looking smile. “You will leave immediately. Do you understand?”

  Poor Kate. “You seem to think this is your decision.” I’m surprised she doesn’t accept that John, my husband, gave me half of the company. Too bad.

  “Young lady.” Bob looks like he’s having a stroke. Good. “Leave this moment.”

  “Old guy,” I quip back. Tish, take a breath. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Kate says, “Upon John’s death, the company transferred to me and Ashlyn. It’s all well documented in John’s will. You’re simply wrong.”

  Where is my lawyer? We have this all planned. He’d better show up. I take a deep breath. “You are mistaken. There is a new will.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Kate turns her back to me and motions for Sandra and Bob, but she’s still talking loud enough for me to hear her. “John would never do that. I have the copy of his will in the safe in my office. Bob, can you finish escorting her out? I’m done here.”

  Bob points a trembling finger at me. “You’ve caused enough trouble, young lady. There is no new will. I drafted John’s will myself. You have no stake in this company. None at all.”

  That’s funny. “Oh, Bob, you’re so behind the times. That happens with age.”

  Kate holds her phone in her hand. “I’m calling the police chief. He’s a personal friend. One word from me and he’ll be right over.”

  “That would be a big embarrassing mistake for you, Kate. And such a bad news story for EventCo, am I right?”

  A knock on the office door startles my guests, but I’ve been expecting him. “Come in, George. Meet my lawyer, everybody.”

  My trusty lawyer trundles into the room like he owns the place, or at least like he’s been here before. Which he hasn’t. He did slip into the memorial service and give me a quick hug, but I didn’t introduce him around. I thought I’d save the surprise of him until I needed it. And now is the perfect time. He’s not one to be thrown off by tense situations. He thrives in them.

  “Hello, all. Sorry to be late to our meeting, but the traffic coming up the interstate was just horrible. I’m George Price, Mrs. Nelson’s attorney.” George takes off his fedora and sticks a beefy hand out toward Kate, who shakes it quickly.

  I know she wants to wipe her hand on her pants leg. She thinks George is slimy. And she’s right. But she also thinks I am stupid. She’ll pay for underestimating me. They all will.

  “Ma’am,” George says, “You must be the one of the founders of the company. Nice to meet you.” He turns and shakes Sandra’s hand. “And you’re HR, as they call it. And you’re corporate counsel? Nice to see you, Bob.”

  George is laying it on thick, full-on country bumpkin. Sandra is speechless. Bob is sweaty. Kate is stunned. I love it.

  George turns to me with a wink. “And how’s my favorite president doing?”

  “Better now
that you’re here. There seems to be a misunderstanding.” I’m acting like an executive now. Measured, serious, confident. “Why don’t we all sit down, over there where it’s more comfortable.”

  “Great idea. I’d love a cup of coffee. Double sugar,” George says. “Do you have someone who can fetch that for me, doll?”

  I almost don’t stop myself. But I do. “Unfortunately, I haven’t hired an executive assistant yet. That’s one of the many things Sandra will handle for me.”

  “Until she does, maybe she could fetch me a coffee?” George says, looking at Sandra, who simply shakes her head and walks out the door.

  “You aren’t going to get away with this.” Kate stands arms crossed, refusing to join Bob, George, and me on the couch.

  “Listen, ma’am, I don’t like your tone.” George sits, the black leather sighs under his weight. “We’re being nice. Why don’t you try it?”

  “Here’s nice. I won’t press charges against you, or your client here, if you leave immediately. John’s last will leaves this company to our daughter and me. He would never leave our business to her.” Kate’s words are measured, superior. She thinks she’s better than me. Better than George. She thinks she’s better than everyone. Her superiority complex is so annoying. I know George agrees. I hope he’s as good at his job as I think he is.

  I put my hand on George’s shoulder. “The only way to work through this little issue here is to show them the will. Go ahead, George.”

  “All righty, let me get that out.” We all watch in silence as George fumbles around in his beat-up briefcase. It’s probably pleather, I 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 turn to look at them. I know it’s Bob and Sandra.

  Bob says, “I’m so sorry. Of course it’s a fake. The will doesn’t even mention Ashlyn. But until we have a chance to contest it in court, we may need to just go along with them. We’re a public company now, and we don’t want to tip off the investors that there is an internal battle over control of the company.”

  I don’t turn around. I don’t want Bob and Sandra to see my expression when I’m not sure what is showing. “There is no battle. I’m contesting this immediately. Challenge it in court. It’s a fraud. Start the filing now.”

  Sandra says, “Of course. We all know John wouldn’t do this. It must be fake.”

  Exactly. I take a deep breath a
nd turn around. “So, let me get this straight. I am supposed to believe that Tish owns half of EventCo now, we’re supposed to be co-presidents, and Ashlyn has been cut out. No.”

  I don’t say anything else. Sandra leaves my office first, shaking her head. I will get rid of this upstart. Tish will not take any part of my company. Not now, not ever.

  I will win.

  “I’m serious, Bob. I want you to personally direct the entire law firm. Drop everything else. Tell them I’ll fight this as long and as hard as it takes. All hands on deck.”

  He wipes his brow with the back of his hand. “I’m on it.”

  “You’d better hurry. I’m worried about the value of our stock if word of this gets out to our investors, the employees, or the financial trades. It could be devastating. How did John let this happen? Her happen?” I walk behind my desk. The bookshelves behind me are dotted with photos, mostly of Ashlyn.

  I study one from our last Christmas together as a family. My parents joined us in Telluride. The photo is of Ashlyn and me with my mom and dad, standing outside on the deck of our condominium. Snow covers our hair like confetti. John took the photo.

  “I’ll fix this.” Bob is at the door.

  “No, I’ll fix it. You get me the facts. Now.”

  He nods and is out the door.

  I try to imagine, for a moment, a staff meeting led by Tish and me. It would never happen. She doesn’t know the first thing about our business. I only tolerated John because he had institutional knowledge and capital connections. Aside from that, I run things around here.

  Once his affair with Tish became known, John and I had maintained some semblance of unity at work, aside from the first few awkward months when John would invite Tish into the meetings. That was something I put a stop to by pointing out those meetings were only for executives. John and I had made it work. I had made it work, for the good of the company. I wasn’t happy about it, but I suffered through it.

  But this, the two of us here in my offices, this will never work. I won’t allow it.