Of course I was contacted inerror! And here I was, thinking Nathaniel was trying to be nice.
“There’s no mistake. Nathaniel was specific in his requests and added Miranda as a beneficiary recently.”
“Recently?” Jack was incredulous. “Why?”
“He didn’t leave a detailed explanation of his reasoning, unfortunately, but there is more you need to know about your portion.” John shifted again and fiddled with the pen in his hand. “He didn’t want you to receive the house outright. It is contingent on, uh, your marital status.”
My lungs felt stuffed. Couldn’t exhale.
“Marital status?” Jack’s voice was tense and clipped. “What does that mean?”
“Nathaniel requested that you and Miranda be married prior to receiving the lake house.”
Wait! Married?
“To each other?” Jack asked.
“Yes.” John’s face was apologetic.
I stole a glance at Jack as my heart spiraled into hopelessness. His face was hardened, cheeks ticking, as anger pushed into his expression. His voice was nearly a growl. “You’vegotto be kidding.”
“That is unless Miranda has already remarried.”
Every eye in the room turned to me. I swallowed hard, my brain fuzzy and swirling. On instinct, I tilted my head toward the table, trying to find my tongue. “No, I’m—I’m not married.”
What shocked me was that Jack hadn’t remarried. He and Miss Long Legs hadn’t tied the knot? My brain urged me to confirm. I used my peripheral vision to double check his left hand. No ring.
John continued. “A remarriage was the only loophole. If you both were still single, he wanted you to marry for no less than sixty days before signing the trust documents and receiving the house. After that, you could sell it, keep it, whatever. Although a couple buyers have been breathing down Nathaniel’s neck for years?—”
Jack stood, his chair rolling back. “He is forcing me to get remarried to Miranda?”
“Once you have met the sixty day mark, you will be able to sign the papers and the deed will be inbothof your names.” John shrugged.
Jules’ fist was pressed against her lips as she watched quietly, eyes wide. “This is so extreme. I don't understand why he would do this.”
“I do,” Jack muttered.
“Why?”
“He…” Jack shook his head, the words dying off on his lips. “This is just like Dad!”
“It was his wish that?—”
Jack smacked the table with his palm. “To hell with his wish!”
The reality of my stupidity hit me like a ton of bricks. Why, oh why, did I think someone was going to write me a check here in this office today? My desperation made me foolish. A crack in my determination caused my shoulders to drop and I sunk down into the chair. The one thing that could save Kacey and me from destitution was contingent on something that would never happen again.
Marriage. ToJackof all people.
“Still controlling me from beyond the grave. Unbelievable!” Jack ran his hands over his head again. “This cannot be legal, Mr. Ruben.”
“I know this is upsetting to hear, but Incentive Trusts are very legal. Some parents use it to encourage what they feel are wayward children onto the right path. Some require marriage or a college education or even financial classes before their children can inherit. Now, I'll be honest, Nathanielwaspushing his legal bounds by naming a specific spouse for you.” Mr. Ruben shook his head and sipped his coffee, unfazed. He probably had conversations like this one every day. “I discourage my clients from making moves like this, but he was a very stubborn man, as I’m sure you know.”
I peeked in Jack’s direction again. His handsome blue eyes blazed, wide and fiery. His fists were clenched. He was angry, and honestly, he had every right to be. I should’ve known Nathaniel would have something up his sleeve, devising a way to control one more time.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
Once. Must be a text.
