Sweet Surprise: Romance Collection

by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Kristin Billerbeck, Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Birdie L. Etchison, Pamela Griffin, Joyce Livingston, Tamela Hancock Murray

  “It’s too late for him to do much about anything. He’s already turned everything over to the two of us. You can’t take something like that back. We’re the legal owners now. It’s out of his hands. No court in the land would give it back to him.”

  Annie’s hand flew out seemingly of its own accord and hit Valerie’s cheek with a loud smack, reeling her back against the seat. She regretted it the minute she’d done it, but it was too late. She had slapped her half-sister.

  The two sat staring at one another—Annie grasping for words, her sister holding a hand to her reddening cheek.

  “What was that for?” Valerie finally muttered, her face filled with anger.

  “How dare you talk like that about our father? He took care of your mother and you all those years. I know. I saw the canceled checks when I took over the book work for him. He paid dearly for that divorce. And from what I’ve heard, none of it was his fault. Your mother cheated on him.” Her accusation was sharp, and like the slap she regretted her words the minute she’d voiced them. Her father had told her those things in confidence.

  “My mother cheated on him? That’s not the way I heard it!”

  Annie drew in a deep breath. She had to control her feelings. Railing at her sister was getting neither of them anywhere. None of what they were discussing could be proven either way. “Let’s not discuss this, Valerie. Neither of us was there. And it all happened years ago.”

  Valerie stared straight ahead, rubbed at her cheek, and remained silent.

  Annie fumbled for words. If they were to resolve any of this, the two of them had to get along. “I’m—I’m sorry for slapping you. But you have to realize you’re speaking of the loving, caring man who raised me. The man I respect more than any other man I know. I have to defend him, even from you, his other daughter.”

  “I’m sorry. I was only telling the truth.”

  “The truth as you know it,” Annie added. “Now could we drop this discussion? Please? We need to hurry to get to the care home and see Dad before I have to head back to the restaurant.”

  “Okay, but I want my share of the money, Annie. And I want it as soon as possible. Let’s go see Dad, and we can discuss this later. But, believe me, I’m serious about this. I want out of Apple Valley Farm.”

  Annie had to clasp both hands together to keep from slapping Valerie again. She bit her lip until she nearly drew blood to avoid saying the things she had on her mind. No way would she let Apple Valley Farm leave the family. But how would she ever keep it? She was barely breaking even as it was. A few dollars one way or the other would put her either in the red or in the black.

  Unfortunately, in the early stages of his illness, before they knew he had Alzheimer’s disease, her father had let the farm lapse into disrepair. Then, to cover his losses when the stock market dropped, he took out several big loans, which now needed to be repaid. But, by the time Annie discovered the poor financial condition, the harm was done, and she had no other choice but to try to set things right and repay the loans. If her father had been in his right mind, he would never have let things get out of hand like that. There was absolutely no reserve to buy out her sister’s portion.

  “As you said, we’ll discuss this later.” She pulled the car back onto the road, and they continued in silence toward the care home and their father.

  Their visit was pleasant enough. Their father was slightly more alert after his afternoon nap, and once he even called Valerie by her name. But in his next sentence he called her by Annie’s mother’s name, which didn’t set too well with his elder daughter.

  No mention was made of selling Apple Valley Farm, for which Annie was grateful. Not that her father would have understood anyway.

  She drove Valerie to the farmhouse, with her assurance that her sister would walk to the restaurant for dinner later, then hurried to greet her customers as Apple Annie. Only tonight, Apple Annie found it difficult to smile. The mere thought of losing Apple Valley Farm set her nerves on edge.

  It was nearly eight before Valerie showed up at the restaurant. Annie selected a small table in the far corner of the restaurant, the same table for two where she and Brad had eaten dinner, where they could talk without being interrupted.

  “You’ve done wonders with this place,” Valerie conceded as she ate her dinner salad. “Where in the world did you find so many apple things? Everywhere you look are apple pictures, apple figurines, apple this, and apple that. I’m amazed. And your customers seem to love it. And that garb of yours!” She pointed toward Annie’s costume and laughed in a way that Annie sensed was slightly mocking. “That’s priceless!”

  “It’s all part of my long-range marketing plan, Valerie. I went to college for four years to learn marketing. I figured I’d put that education to good use,” Annie explained. She was proud of what she had done to build up the restaurant’s clientele. But Valerie made it sound like a big joke.

  Valerie stabbed a cherry tomato on her fork and waved it around. “Well, it’s lucky for me—apparently your cute little idea seems to have increased the restaurant’s business. That’ll mean more money for both of us when we sell it.”

  Annie grasped the edge of the table with her hands to keep them from flying to her sister’s neck and choking her. “We are not selling Apple Valley Farm,” she said through clenched teeth. “Positively not!”

  “Oh? You have the money to buy out my half ?” Valerie raised her brow.

  Annie glanced around her, but those nearby were enjoying their dinner and paying little attention to anything else. “Look, Valerie. I am not going to lose Apple Valley Farm. It is staying in the Johnson family. Period!”

  Valerie dropped her fork onto her plate, grabbed Annie’s wrist, and leaned so close their foreheads nearly touched. She spoke in a hushed but angry voice. “I want my money, and I want it now. I don’t care if you have Apple Valley Farm or Joe Blow has it. It means nothing to me. If you want to keep it, fine. But you’ll have to come up with my half. I’ve already spoken to an attorney—one right here in Apple Valley—and he assures me if you cannot buy me out, this place will have to be put on the market. The rest is up to you.”

  Annie wiped her mouth with her napkin, stood up, and placed her napkin on the table. She appeared calm on the outside, but inside she was seething. Countless words crossed her mind, but she knew she wouldn’t change anything by saying them.

  Valerie watched her guardedly, as if she expected a thunderous outburst. But when her sister remained silent, she added, “My attorney wants to meet with you at ten tomorrow morning—at the restaurant. Then I’m flying home.”

  Annie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Valerie hadn’t come to see their father. She had come only to lay claim to her half of the farm. She was thankful her father would never know that. “I’ll be there,” she said dryly as she turned and walked away, leaving her sister at the table.

  It was nearly eleven before Annie returned to the farmhouse. She was glad the door to the room she had given Valerie was closed. She’d had enough confrontations with her already. Carrying on a congenial conversation was impossible now. The battle lines had been drawn. Only the weapons had to be chosen.

  She set her alarm for six and was out of the house before the door to Valerie’s room opened, although she was sure she could hear her moving around inside.

  At least she could have managed to see our father again before she left, she told herself angrily. She climbed into her van and headed for the care home. But it seems all she’s interested in is his money.

  “Well, you’re up early,” one of her father’s caretakers said as Annie passed her in the hallway. “Your father had a good night, and I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you.”

  Annie nodded and hurried into his room, where her father greeted her with a big smile. He was sitting on the edge of his bed drinking a glass of juice.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she said cheerfully, hoping she wouldn’t have to explain why Valerie wasn’t with her. “I love you.�
� She kissed his forehead then hugged him.

  “I love you,” he returned, taking her by surprise.

  “I came to see you yesterday. Do you remember?”

  He nodded, but his face held a vacant smile.

  “The nurse said you had a good night.”

  Again he nodded.

  Oh, Daddy, I need you, she said in her aching heart. I don’t know what to do, and there’s no one to talk to about this.

  “Is she here?” he asked, his expression still wearing its pasted smile.

  Annie’s heart sank. He remembered Valerie’s visit. “No, sorry.”

  “When did your mother leave?” he asked as he took another sip of the juice.

  “Mother? Leave?” It suddenly hit her. He wasn’t talking about Valerie after all. He was thinking about his wife. “She—she’s been gone a long time, Daddy. Don’t you remember? We buried Mama in the Apple Valley cemetery several years ago.”

  He placed his glass on the tray, raised his legs onto the bed, and leaned back into the pillows. “I’m going to see her, you know. She’s waiting for me. She’s with God.”

  Annie blinked then shut her eyes. “I know, Daddy. I know.”

  She pulled her chair up close and stroked his fragile hands until he drifted off. “I miss you, Daddy,” she told him in a whisper. “I promise you I won’t let Apple Valley Farm get away from us.”

  Brad was awake and up long before his alarm sounded. All he could think about was his mother. He entered her room at Apple Valley Memorial Hospital before seven and sat watching her sleep, wishing somehow he could bear her pain for her. When she began to stir, he pulled the white blanket up about her shoulders as best he could then put a kiss on the tip of his finger and transferred it to her cheek. She looked so small, so helpless, lying in that sterile bed surrounded by a dozen bouquets sent by her friends and neighbors. He had been extremely concerned about her, but the doctor had assured him she was doing well but should remain in the hospital for a few more days.

  He moved her glass of water where she could reach it more easily, then turned and rolled toward the door. It was time to get to his office.

  “Brad?”

  He spun around to find his mother’s eyes open. “Yes, Mom?”

  A faint smile played at her lips. “Are you going to see that young woman of yours tonight?”

  “I thought you were asleep.” He rolled up beside her bed. “I’ve put your glass where you can reach it. Is there anything else you need before I leave?”

  “You’re not answering my question.”

  Brad thought it over before responding. “Yes, I am. I’m going to her restaurant for dinner.”

  “Court her, Son. Like your father did me. No woman can resist a loving, caring man like you. Don’t let your handicap keep you from her. Even if she says no and turns you away, at least you tried. Nothing ventured—”

  “Nothing gained. I know. Dad used to tell me that all the time. It’s the reason I finished my college education. He drilled it into me.”

  “Go to her,” she said softly, her words drifting off. Her eyelids closed, and she fell back into a deep sleep.

  Brad smiled at his mother. In many ways Annie was like her. Beautiful. Tenacious. Ambitious. Gentle. Caring. He could go on and on about the attributes of the two women he loved. He closed the door behind him and headed for his office.

  He had been at his desk for only a few minutes when his cell phone rang.

  “Brad Reed.”

  “Oh, Brad, I’m so glad I reached you. This is Annie. I got your number from one of the waitresses. I need you. Can you come to Apple Valley right now?”

  Chapter 5

  B rad smiled into the phone. Annie Johnson was the last person he’d expected to be on the other end of the line. “Now? You want me to come now?”

  “I’m in trouble, Brad. I didn’t know who to turn to, with Dad so ill. I’ve been so busy running things here since I’ve come back home that I’ve hardly taken time to make friends with anyone.”

  “Sure, I’ll come—if you need me.” He glanced at the stack of unopened mail on his desk and the pile of call slips left over from the day before when he’d stayed with his mother at the hospital. “Give me thirty minutes.”

  “Oh, Brad. I can’t thank you enough. Please hurry.”

  Brad placed the phone in the receiver then called his secretary. “An emergency has come up. Call and reschedule my appointments.” He shoved a few file folders into his desk drawer, put his cell phone in his pocket, and rolled toward the double doors leading to the elevator. “If you hear anything from the hospital or my mother’s doctor, call me on my cell phone.”

  His secretary hurried to keep up with him. “But where are you—”

  The elevator doors opened, and Brad rolled inside, calling back before they closed, “I’ll check with you later. Please take care of things for me, okay?”

  It seemed to take him forever to reach Apple Valley Farm. The traffic was unusually heavy for a weekday morning. Finally, he drove into the parking lot and pulled up near the front door. Annie ran out to meet him. She was wearing a light pink pantsuit, instead of her Apple Annie costume. To Brad, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” Her face was pale, and her breath came in short gasps. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “It isn’t your father, is it?” Brad asked, his own mother’s accident fresh on his mind.

  Annie stood beside the door of the van as the ramp lowered his wheelchair onto the pavement. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and comfort her.

  “Let’s go inside where we can talk.” She grasped one of the chair’s handles and walked along beside him. “We don’t have much time.”

  Talk about what? And why don’t we have much time? he wondered.

  They reached Annie’s office then, where they wouldn’t be disturbed by the employees who were getting ready for the lunch crowd.

  He took her hands in his. “Okay,” he said gently. “I’m here. Tell me what’s upset you so much.”

  She glanced nervously at her watch. “My sister and her attorney will be here at ten. That’s less than an hour away.”

  He frowned. “Your sister? Her attorney? Why are they coming here?”

  Annie pulled her hands from his and started pacing the room. “I probably should have a lawyer representing me, but I don’t know any lawyers in Apple Valley. That’s why I called you. I thought perhaps you could help me find a good one—someone who wouldn’t bleed me to death.”

  He leaned toward her and took her hands in his again. “Annie, settle down,” he said calmly. “Breathe. It can’t be that bad. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Annie drew in a fresh breath of air and swallowed. “She’s demanding her half of everything on Apple Valley Farm. The restaurant, theater, orchards, the house—all of it,” she blurted out. She let go of his hands and sat down in the chair beside her desk.

  “How can she do that? Your father is still alive. Doesn’t he own everything?”

  Annie shook her head. “No. When the doctor diagnosed Alzheimer’s, Dad had papers drawn up giving everything to my stepsister and me. Equally. He knew he would reach the point where he would be unable to make a decision and wanted everything to be clean for us girls.”

  Brad rubbed his hand across his forehead. “I didn’t even know you had a sister.”

  “Half-sister,” she said. “By my father’s first wife.”

  “And she’s decided she wants her half now?”

  She nodded again. “She gave me two choices. Sell everything or buy out her half.” She lifted her tear-filled gaze to his. “I can’t raise that kind of money, Brad. I’m barely scraping by as it is.”

  “She sounds pretty selfish.”

  Annie bit her lip. “She is. And she barely said hello to Dad when we visited him yesterday.” She glanced at her watch again. “Oh, Brad, I’m sure I
’m going to need an attorney to represent me. I wish I’d known which one to call. That’s why I phoned you. I need someone here with me who’s on my side.”

  Brad rolled his chair up next to hers and slid his arm about her shoulders. “You have an attorney, Annie. One who’ll fight for you like a mad dog.”

  She turned and looked at him. “Who?”

  “Me.”

  Annie stared at Brad. “You? I don’t understand.”

  He smiled at her. “Do you realize you’ve never asked me what I do for a living? And then the night I told you I don’t think you heard me. I’m an attorney. I have my own law firm.” He gave her a jaunty salute. “Brad Reed, attorney-at-law. At your service, ma’am.”

  Her eyes widened with surprise. “You’re an attorney?”

  “You bet,” he said, pulling a business card from his inside pocket. “And a mighty good one, if I do say so myself.”

  Her expression sobered. “I don’t have much money to pay you.”

  He took her hand, lifted it to his mouth, and kissed it. “I’ll take it out in Caramel Apple Pie.”

  Annie let out a sigh of relief. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “I think you’ve told me that before.” Brad kissed her hand again then became serious. “We have work to do. Tell me everything you know about this so we’ll be prepared when they arrive.”

  For the next twenty minutes they discussed her sister’s demands and Annie’s options.

  “I have one final question for you, Annie.” Brad placed his pen on the legal pad where he’d been taking notes. “I want you to think it over carefully and make sure your answer reflects how you feel.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “You’ve been to college to prepare for a career, and from what you’ve told me you’d never intended to come back here to live. Then your father got sick, and you were forced to come back.”

  “I wasn’t exactly forced.” She twisted her ring on her finger. “I mean, Dad needed me. That was reason enough.”

  “But once your father—” He hesitated. “I hate to say it, but we have to face reality. Once your father is gone, or he’s lost his mental faculties, your obligation will be fulfilled. Isn’t that right?”