I always suspected he started the affair long before their respective spouses passed away, because my mother’s grave hadn’t even grown grass when they announced their marriage.
My father and Damon have been spending Brant money ever since.
“Don’t think just because you’re under my roof for Christmas that you’re welcome here.” Dad takes a step toward me.
Again, Damon stretches out his arms.
“I know you don’t welcome me.” My voice is snide. “But Jolene and the girls invited me. They seem to enjoy having me. We bonded over pour-over and French press coffee this morning.”
My father winces, and the lines on his face deepen. His mustache curls even farther downward, dropping like a horseshoe. “Get out. Just go. You brought Samantha. No one needs you here.”
He charges toward me, but Damon pushes him back. “Dad, calm down, okay? Grandpa likes Samantha. I checked in on him right before the meeting, and he says he’s never met a brighter, sweeter girl.”
Dad purses his lips and stares for a long moment. When Damon gives him a gentle shove, he finally steps back and swipes his hand through his hair. It’s a tell that shows he’s considering. I know, because that’s what I do too when I’m uneasy.
“Sammie can’t stay for long,” I remind them. “She’s only here for the holidays.”
“She might cheer him up and give him a will to live,” Damon suggests.
“A few days isn’t going to make much difference.” Dad scratches his chin. “But you’ve given me an idea. A competition with Grandpa as the judge.”
“What do you mean?” Damon’s eyes are speculative, knowing my grandfather always liked competitions. His favorite TV show way back wasThe Apprentice, and he used to go around saying, “You’re fired,” all the time.
“If I let you in on this, you can’t cheat and tell any of the kids what’s up.” Dad walks toward me.
“What difference would it make? As long as it’s a game that gives Grandpa a will to live and makes it fun.” I hold up my hands in an appeasing gesture. “I take it we’re not playing.”
“Nope, but you might be biased for your daughter,” Dad says. “Let me run it by Grandpa and get back to you guys. But I’m thinking a contest between Sammie, Will, Addie, and Collie, although little Collie is only three, so I can’t see how she’ll compete. The winner inherits Grandpa’s Christmas cottage on the Sonoma coast.”
“If it’s contest for the cutest, then Collie wins hands down.” Damon chuckles. “I guess I’m out because I have no children.”
“Why would Will and Addie be included? They’re not Nash’s kids.” Oh my gosh. I’m already biased toward Samantha, and she’s not a real Powers either. Only Colleen, Ben’s daughter is a real great-grandchild.
“You probably don’t know,” Damon says. “But after Grandpa’s heart attack, he moved in with Lindsay’s grandmother. They never married, but they lived together in one of those assisted living communities before she passed away earlier this year.”
“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that, so I guess in a way, Will and Addie are sort of step-great-grandchildren?” I put it all together and realize they have more claim to the cabin than my Sammie does. “Hey, it doesn’t matter who wins, right? As long as Grandpa is running the competition.”
“You got that right,” Dad says. “It’s not fair for Collie though, but I can structure it so that she gets the vineyard, no matter what.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Damon raises his hand for a high five with me.
“You two don’t mind losing out?” Dad scowls and stares at me. “Especially you, unless you have a stash I don’t know about. Do you? Does being a mercenary pay well?”
“I’d have to kill you if I tell you.” I chuckle drily, and surprisingly, he chuckles too.
“Fair enough.” He cracks his knuckles. “I’ll run this by Grandpa and inform his lawyer. Let’s say the competition lasts until New Year’s. Can you call Sammie’s mom and ask if she can stay?”
“She’s homeschooled anyway.” I nod. “Of course. There’s not going to be a problem. She can stay as long as she likes, as long as I get the lesson plans from her.”
“Great.” A smile creases Dad’s face. “I’m looking forward to getting to know Sammie. Can’t believe you kept her from us.”
“Believe me, I didn’t know about her until a year back.” I grimace.
Damon narrows his eyes. “Then how do you know she’s really yours?”
“I didn’t believe it either.” I keep my face straight, shaking my head as if in denial. “But the paternity test came back, and it must have happened when I first left home, before I went overseas.”
“Right. I hope you’ve been more careful since,” Dad says. “Although I can’t deny that Sammie is a most pleasant surprise.”
Damon’s eyes are still narrowed. He gives me a stiff grin and a clap on the shoulder. “I’m surprised.”
“Right, but accidents happen.” I walk out of the den now that the meeting is over. Damon is my younger brother and the one I supplied with condoms.
It isn’t until I’m by the window again, waiting for Sammie, that I realize what a mess I got myself into. Sammie isn’t a Powers, but neither are Will and Addie.
Little Collie gets the vineyard, I remind myself. It’ll be okay.
