His father was wrong. Forcing them to do this was a mistake. Gabe knew there was no point in trying to talk the stubborn fool out of it, James would never capitulate. Either they would fall in line with what their father demanded or they were out of the family business. Gabe quickly calculated what he had in savings and investments. It wasn’t near enough the amount of funds he needed to keep up the lifestyle he was used to.
There really was no alternative. He was going to have to get married. Married within a month and pregnant within a year, Gabe corrected himself grimly.
What he needed was a sensible plan, he told himself. He would create a list of respectable potential brides and select the best woman to fit his needs. Someone who wasn’t demanding, from a proper family, who would be grateful to be his wife. When the baby came, and it would only be one baby, Gabe thought firmly, then they would get a competent nanny. Perhaps even two nannies. Whatever it took to make sure Gabe’s life continued on in a smooth and predictable manner.
Comforted by the thought, Gabe forced himself to pay attention to the proceedings around him only to find it was time for the pallbearers to rise. Regretful of his lapse in concentration, Gabe rose to his feet, following the others to their preassigned places by the casket. As they lifted the coffin onto their shoulders and proceeded down the aisle, Gabe briefly wondered why the funeral hadn’t been held in a church. When they were kids, the Ramesly family often had attended services on special occasions. Some of the families had been a little more strict than others when it came to frequency of worship. Gabe supposed Nate had fallen away from the practice. So too had Gabe, if he were honest with himself. If he was going to get married and have a child, he should probably continue the tradition.
The men carefully assisted in putting the casket in the hearse before the short drive to the cemetery. Police had shut down the roadway, and security had been placed at the funeral home and the cemetery. None of the family wished to come in contact with the press today. The line of limousines drove along the paved roadway sandwiched between green rolling hills, rows of graves and tastefully placed trees. They bypassed these, travelling to the back of the cemetery where a large set of plots had been purchased decades ago for the use of the family by their grandparents. It already was a resting ground for relatives who had passed. Now Nate would be laid to rest with them.
Gabe tried not to think about it as he took his place as pallbearer once again. Everyone died. Likely the next funeral would be his father’s. What would life be like without his dad wanting to go over the weekly reports?
Assisting in placing the casket on the lowering device, Gabe and the other pallbearers then took their places with their immediate families. Standing with his brothers, Gabe reflected his parents plus his aunts and uncles were getting older. They had been very blessed so far not to have many funerals.
Across from the family, Gabe could see Britney and Naomi Crawford standing with other friends of the family. Naomi was whispering something and Britney looked a little pained at her mother’s gossip. Everyone knew Naomi Crawford was a hard woman with a cutting tongue. It probably explained a lot about Britney’s occasionally odd behavior. Gabe’s aunt Mary had once called the Crawford family vulgar upstarts. They were now on the fringe of acceptability, thanks to Britney’s father, Erwin Crawford. He was in prison for aiding and abetting David Ramesly with his plans to escape the country.
Somehow, other than the ongoing FBI investigation, the Ramesly family was managing to weather the storm well. Probably due to the programs the family had been putting in place to garner good press and turn public opinion in their favor. Ramesly Pharmaceuticals had lowered drug prices and their profits while funding research on treatment for several diseases. Ramesly Insurance Corporation had given a base discount to all the company’s clients. Ramesly HMC were taking on more pro bono work and had changed their payment plan system to be more charitable to lower income families, much to Marshall’s delight. Parker had spearheaded the project, much to James’ grumbling but the move had garnered free press which had eventually resulted in a better bottom line as more people sought out surgeries and medical treatment at Ramesly HMC. As for Ramesly Hotels, they were a luxury chain whose reputation hadn’t been rocked by the scandal, despite Uncle Oliver’s involvement. In fact, Nate had insisted the whole episode added a certain cache to staying at one of the Rameslys.
The Crawford’s hadn’t faired as well. Rumor had it, Erwin Crawford’s funds had been frozen, leaving Naomi with a sea of bills and nothing to pay them with. Britney was in business with her best friend Tara. Gabe didn’t know what they did, but it was said Britney had done well for herself. Probably, she was now propping up her mother’s extravagant lifestyle.
It probably would have been polite to enquire about her father earlier, but Gabe had been too shocked by her marriage proposal. He had no intention of pursuing it further. Britney was not the one for him. She was like an annoying gnat which kept circling. The past few years with minimal contact had been a blessing. Who knew what was going on in her mind? She was the most unpredictable, infuriating, irritating woman he had ever met. No one managed to make him feel the way Britney Crawford did.
Turning his attention back to the proceedings, Gabe watched as the casket was lowered into the grave. Slowly, people began to disperse as the event was over.
Henry helped Cora to her feet, drawing her arm through his as they made their way back to the cars. Cora’s sons trailed them, both beside their uncle Ben who had a hand on each of their small thin shoulders. A man approached Addison. Gabe recognized him as Lincoln Walters. Lincoln owned a chain of luxury hotels which were in direct competition with the Ramesly chain. There was a rumor Lincoln and Nate had been so hostile towards each other that Nate had ended up throwing Lincoln out of one of the Ramesly hotels and issuing a no trespass order.
Yet now the man was here, gently offering a condolence to Addison who appeared to be listening.
Until Gerrit came forward between the two, growling at Lincoln. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m paying my respects,” a deliberately calm Lincoln replied. “My sincerest condolences on your loss.”
“You aren’t welcome here,” repeated Gerrit loudly.
“Gerrit,” hissed Addison. “You are making a scene.”
Gabe noticed a glint of light from a lens behind the trio. Someone was on the lawn, recording from afar so as not to have security spot them. He quickly approached his cousins. “There is a reporter filming. I suggest we all just go to our cars.”
Gerrit gave Lincoln a last glare. “Come Addison.”
Addison gave Lincoln’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you, Mr. Waters. The flowers were lovely.”
“Your welcome Ms. Ramesly,” he responded with a nod of respect.
“Addison,” growled Gerrit.
“My brother calls,” Addison had an apologetic smile before following Gerrit towards the line of cars.
“Mr. Waters,” Gabe said in respect. “My apologies for my cousin’s behavior.”
“No apology needed,” replied Lincoln as he watched Gerrit and Addison get into one of the limos. “While Nate, Gerrit and I have our differences, I would never have wished this upon Nate. It is understandable Gerrit would be distressed today. He and his brother were close.”
“That is very charitable of you,” observed Gabe as he took the other man’s measure. He held out a hand in greeting. “Thank you for coming.”
“Gabriel, isn’t it?” Lincoln shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Gabe nodded then rejoined the Ramesly family as they left the graveyard. Down the row of cars, he spotted Britney helping her mother into a vehicle.
He could hardly believe just a few hours ago she had proposed to him.
Catching her eye, Gabe frowned before entering the limo with his brothers.
