“Dealing with me is going to be easy. I don’t want anything from you or your sisters that you’re not willing to give. I’m going to care for the three of you. As for what I’m going to do with them? I don’t have any plans to do anything with them. I’ve provided them with rooms at our house. They have clothing now that my sisters-in-law got for them. As soon as you’re up and around, we’ll take them to get more. It’s only fall now, so we’ll have to look for winter things too, I guess. I don’t know a great deal about teenage girls, to be honest with you. But I’m so very proud of you for keeping them safe and together.”
“The doctor said we are all undernourished. I thought he was going to take them from me when he said that. But all he said was that with the cook you have at your house now, we’ll be fattened up soon enough. I don’t even know what that means.” Ian laughed, and she felt a smile pull at her mouth. “You have money, don’t you?”
“I do. I also have a home, a great job, and insurance that you and the girls have been added to as of this afternoon. I don’t know a great deal about any of you, but I’m assuming you drive.” She nodded and told him she had a license, but it had been taken from her at her uncle’s. “They’ve found him, by the way. Demi isn’t going to contact him until she figures out a few things about him. I’m not sure what those are, but she said she’d have you some information soon.”
“They’re very resourceful, aren’t they?” Ian laughed and told her that was an understatement. “What will they do with my uncle now that they know where he is? I mean, it’s not like my sisters and I have any recourse. I’ve been so worried he was going to come after us and ditch me in order to keep them around. I suppose he could. I’m an adult, and they’re not.”
“I did mention that to the others. Mr. Shoe is an attorney for the family right now. Mostly Demi, but he’s looking into what can and can’t be done. You told me you didn’t know where the will was. If you can tell me where your parents died, then we can go there and find their death certificates and work backward from there.” She told him everything she knew, which, after saying it aloud, she thought was a pitiful amount of information. “Once they know where to look, finding it will be easy. I mean, they would have filed it in order for it to be legal and binding.”
“I have some questions for you. I know you’re telling me I’m your mate, but how do I know you’re not trying to scam me into your home and bed? For all I know, you could be a murderer or a rapist. I don’t want to go from the pot to the fire without knowing what I’m getting into.” He told her that was fair, then to ask him whatever she wanted. “I don’t know what to ask you. I don’t know you at all.”
“Nor do I know you, Lucy. But I’m a college graduate of the local college. I have a computer science degree that is helping me while I learn what Demi and Meadow have me do. I can, and do most of the time, build computers for the elite. All the family is now the owner of a great many properties all over the world, and I keep the computers working so Demi’s cameraman, my brother, can install cameras and keep them as well as anything else in the homes up and running.” She asked him about his house. “Ah, there is a funny story to that. Demi and Meadow purchased the houses for all of us a while back. All I’ve done to it since moving in was throw a mattress on the floor and look for things to fill it a little at a time. It has nine bedrooms. Also, I’ve managed to find a couple of ponies I’m working with so they’re not afraid of me. I’m not a rancher by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m having fun just hanging around the place when I’m not working.”
“Nine bedrooms is a huge house.” He told her about the kitchen and how it was supposed to be a cook’s dream. “You don’t cook.”
“No. I mean, I know how, but I don’t unless I’m too hungry to wait until I can hang out at my mom’s house for a meal.” He grinned at her. “When I first figured out the three of you would need a place to stay, I had my mom and sisters go and fill the place up with food. While I don’t have any idea what they purchased, I’m sure it’s going to be a good mixture of good for you things as well as fun food. My mom is a wonderful cook. I’m to understand that you love to bake.”
“I do. I’m good at it too. Not tooting my own horn, but I used to have people come from everywhere to have some of the breads and cakes I make.” Ian had the most generous smile. When he smiled, it was like he was telling her he was as happy as he could be. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you.”
“With me? I don’t know either. As I said, I’m not going to rush you. I’ll take whatever you wish to give me. However, I plan to pamper you so much, you’ll wish to bash my head in.”
This time she laughed. Laying her head back on the pillow, she watched as he explained to her what sort of pampering he was planning to do.
When the door to her room opened, she was so happy to see Cybill that she had her climb into the bed with her, simply so she could make sure she was all right. Ian didn’t make fun of her, nor did he scold her sister for climbing over her and causing her pain. Lucy thought he would have for some reason.
“I’m going to go and check on Jilly if you two will be all right.” Lucy thanked him. “You can have anything you want to eat. Would you like me to pick you two up something and bring it to you? The sky’s the limit.”
“I would love a hamburger. With everything.” Ian told Cybill he could get her that, then asked her about fries. “No, I don’t care for potatoes. But if they have onion rings, I’d really enjoy that. Are you sure you don’t mind getting it for me?”
“I’m positive. I’m hoping we can be a family. But I’ll settle for good terms for now.” Lucy told him she’d like the same, but she liked fries. None of them liked soda, so he was going to bring them back bottled waters. “I’ll be back. If there is anything I find out about Jilly, I’ll let you know that too.”
When he was gone, Cybill told her she liked the McCray family. “You’ve been getting to know them, I guess.” Cybill said mostly she’d been with Grandpa McCray, but Grandma was nice too. “You’re already calling them your grandparents? Cybill, do you think that’s a good idea? We shouldn’t get too attached to them right now. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t think that at all. We’re warm and getting taken care of, Lucy. I’ve been checked out and given a vitamin D shot so I could be better. You’ve had your arm looked at and fixed. Jilly is getting taken care of, and tonight, when I go to bed, I’ll have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, and a bathroom all my own.” She asked her where she was staying. “I’ve been taken by the grandparents to Ian’s house. You’re going to love it, Lucy. It’s so beautiful, and I can’t wait to live there for the rest of my life.”
Lucy was worried that something was going to happen to take all these plans away from them. A roof over their head was a good thing, but at what cost? When she thought of all the things that Ian or the rest of them could demand of them, Lucy had a feeling they’d not want anything in return. They were, she hoped, just what they looked like—a good family with no ulterior motive of any kind.
Chapter 2
Demi looked over all the paperwork she’d been gathering and couldn’t understand how anyone would have thought Josh Jackson should have not just been given custody of the three children of Lucille and Donald Jackson, but also access to their money.
“Can I help you?” She smiled at Lucian. “I’ve been watching you for the last ten minutes, and I can’t believe I’ve never noticed how you make faces when you’re upset with something you’re reading.”
“This is so fucked up I can’t believe that no one has done something about it. I’ve figured out several things about their uncle. First and foremost, I would have killed him before I’d allow him to talk to one of my children.” Lucian asked her what she’d found out. “He’s been in prison twice now. Once for writing bad checks—I’m talking thousands upon thousands of dollars’ worth. The second time was for using
stolen credit cards. Do you see the trend here?”
“So how did he manage to get this nice gig?” She told him she was working on that. “Is there any money left for the girls? I’d hate to think he’s left them without anything.”
“No. He’s not been able to get to the bulk of it, but not for lack of trying. The large allotment check he gets every month is a good deal of money. He’s banking it, or he was. I think he figured that someday someone would figure out he’s been lying to people, and he was making himself a nice nest egg. He’s also trying to sell the family home, which, I might add, isn’t a small piece of property. Six thousand acres, as well as a mansion of a home. But I don’t think the attorneys for the estate have any idea he’s unloaded the kids on the side of the road.” Lucian asked her what she was doing about it. “Lots of things at the moment. I’m having the money moved to an account that I set up in the girls’ names. I also put Ian on it in the event someone tries to say Ian was in it for the cash. I called him to come here just before you came in. I’m surprised he’s not here yet.”
“He’s here. That was what I came in here to tell you. He has Cybill and Lucy with him. Jilly is doing better, I’ve been told, and should be home in the next couple of days.” She nodded and stood up. “You have a plan, don’t you? Is it going to make this Josh person come out of the woodwork after them?”
“More than likely, yes. There are things that Ian and Lucy need to do to make things legal too. Like getting married, then adopting her sisters.” Lucian followed her into the den where they were. Lucy already looked better than she had the other night. And Cybill looked like she was ready to bounce off the walls, she was so energetic. “I have some news for you three that I’m not sure how you’re going to take. But in order for the three of you to stay together in this, I think, along with my attorney, that it’s better to be prepared for the worst than to let it come then try dealing with it. I would like to suggest that you and Ian get married as soon as it could possibly be arranged. Then you can—”
“Wait. Just wait. How is me getting married to a man I hardly know going to keep my sisters with me? I’m assuming that’s what you mean.” Demi said it was. “I’m not marrying a stranger for any reason.”
“Okay. But here is the situation. Even if you were no longer under the care of your uncle, someone is going to have to raise Cybill and Jilly until they’re adults. I’m not saying you’re a bad person, but a court could say you weren’t a good role model for them because you were the oldest and had them living on the streets without medical attention or proper meals. I know you did the best you could, but the courts will try anything to get things to go in the direction of the kids not being with you. They’ll also receive part of the estate as compensation for taking care of them. That will be what they want. And there is no way to make sure that once they’re in the system, they’ll be able to stay together.” Lucy asked her if she adopted them by herself if that would work. “Again, it’s going to be looked at that you were living on the streets. If you’re not married, where will you live? How will you care for them without any means to keep them safe? How will you work with no address? These are things they’re going to take into consideration when you ask to adopt them. I’m not saying this is going to happen, Lucy, but I’d count on it transpiring. Good people rarely get a break when dealing with some of the people in these sorts of organizations.”
Lucy looked at Ian. “I don’t want to marry you.” Ian only nodded. He was a good man, but she could see he was hurting about this as well. “How will you feel if I say yes, and you know I don’t want to do this?”
“How would you feel if you were forced into a corner? I’m not saying marrying you will be any kind of hardship for me. I’ve already fallen in love with your sisters, and I very much would love to get to know you. But for the sake of your family, I can’t think of a better way for them to be with you and I.” He looked at Demi then. “Demi, what will happen to their uncle when it comes out that he’s been stealing from the estate? Because from what you told me earlier, he’s not been doing anything legal.”
“I’ve located the will. It’s pretty standard when it mentions you and your sisters’ care. It says if your parents were to die before any of you are old enough to take care of the others, then you would be put in the temporary care of the staff of the household. I didn’t know how much of a staff you had, but it looks like they’ve made sure the people in the house were well equipped to handle any situation.” Lucy asked her how her uncle was involved. “From what I’ve seen, he wasn’t even mentioned in the will. I do have someone looking for an amendment to the original will. So far, there isn’t one. Also, the house is yours until such time that your sisters are old enough to decide how they wish to divide it.”
“So, I have a place to live with them if I want to adopt them.” Demi told her she did. That wasn’t going to be the issue. It was the state wanting their share. “Why can’t I just tell them no? I mean, I know we’ve been homeless for some time now, but that’s not my fault.”
“Did you go to the police? Did you contact your father’s attorney? They’re going to ask you these questions too. And if you didn’t, why not?” Lucy looked so defeated that it hurt Demi a little that she couldn’t make it work out for her. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. If I could figure out a way for this to work in a different way, I’d tell you.”
“I don’t want to have to marry for this. It’s like I’m being forced into something not of my choosing.” Ian told her she was right. “You’re not going to be hurt by this. Why are you even commenting?”
He didn’t say anything when he looked at her. Demi could see the pain on his face. So when he stood up and left the room, she didn’t say anything to him. Neither did she when she stood up. Cybill apparently had no such trouble talking to her sister.
“What the hell is wrong with you? You have a nice man helping you out with keeping us all together, and you toss him away like he is nothing at all. Don’t you see how this is nothing he wants, either?” Lucy told her sister it was none of her concern. “Isn’t it? Are you telling me that since you’re the oldest, you hold all the cards? That you aren’t going to take into consideration how we feel about what happens to you and to us?”
Cybill stood up and left them there. The front door slamming had Lucy flinching at the sound. When she started to cry, Demi didn’t say anything to her, but let her muddle through this on her own. When Lucy looked up at her, Demi just waited for whatever came out of her mouth next.
“I’ll do it. If this is my only option, I guess I’ll have to.” Demi didn’t want to tell her she’d have to convince Ian now. She also didn’t want to tell her the family was going to be none too happy with her after it got out that she’d pissed off Ian so much he’d left them sitting there. “Aren’t you going to gloat? Tell me I’m stupid for trying to keep my family together and safe by living on the streets? Go ahead. You might as well beat me up with my actions too.”
“Nah, you’re doing a fine job all on your own.” Demi stood up when the baby started to roll around, making her slightly uncomfortable to sit for very long. “I will tell you this. You hurt any of the rest of the family, as you just did the nicest man I know, then I’ll make sure your little family suffers in ways your uncle hasn’t even begun to think about.”
Demi went to her office and closed the door. She was emotional. The baby also made her sleep poorly, and that wasn’t helping. Standing at the door, she cried as quietly as she could while her heart hurt her in ways she’d not ever felt before. Demi was hurting for Ian more than anyone else right now.
I have a question for— What’s happened? She told Alden she was all right, just emotional. You’re not all right, my dear. I can feel your pain all the way to my toes. Tell me who to slay, and I’ll do it.
She told him everything. Even how Lucy had made her feel about helping her. Alden was kindhearted when he told her she was emotional too.
That things were kind of messy on Lucy and the girls’ end as well. While she understood that, she told Alden it didn’t mean she had to be nasty about them helping her.
Tell me something. Would you have been happy if someone told you that you most definitely had to marry Lucian if you ever wanted to see that baby of yours? That as soon as it was born, it would be taken from you for no other reason than someone thought you’re a bad person? She pointed out to him that she’d not said it. Yes, I’m sure you didn’t. But when you’re hurting, pushed into something you don’t want or think you need, and someone is taking your money, don’t you think that is what it would feel like?
She thought about it and decided perhaps he was correct. That it wasn’t just emotions that were making Lucy upset and saying things she wouldn’t normally say, but also that she’d not had a single bit of control over any of the things going on around her. Not to mention her sister being shot and her being in pain as well. It was a great deal to be tossing at anyone, especially when it was all things Lucy literally had no control over. She asked Alden when he’d gotten so smart.
I’d say I was like this all the time, but there are people out there that would dispute that. They’d have something smart to say about me. I don’t give a good piece of fudge about it. I want you to know I’m not a bragger about it either. She said she loved him for that. And I love you too, my darling. You need to cry on my shoulder again, and I’ll be right here for you.
When he told her he had to go, she almost reminded him he’d wanted to ask her something. But she knew she was going to have to clear the air between her and Lucy. They were going to be related, and Demi didn’t want any bad blood between the two of them. Also, she didn’t want the younger girls to dislike her. They might make the perfect sitters someday.
Ian: McCray Bruin Bear Shifter Romance Page 2
