SIXTEEN
Many people came tothe gravesite service. Mick recognized people he’d known when he was a boy but had lost contact with. Some were still friends with Mick’s mother even though she lived in Long Island now with her new husband.
The clouds decided not to block the sun during the service, but a breeze from the east came through and made the weather a little chilly. Nicole stood next to her mother, both wearing solemn expressions as they stared down at the casket. Nicole wore a lovely black dress. Nothing was fancy about it, except the fact that it fit her petite frame, and she looked amazing in it. Occasionally, she shivered. He wanted to stand beside her to keep her warm, to comfort her, and to show the town that he was in love with her, but he thought it best to stand back with the others.
The minister read the eulogy which was perfect for James. Mick thought highly of the man, and he deserved the best tribute. Nicole wiped tears from her eyes before laying a rose on her grandfather’s casket. Her mother followed. And then everyone else who had a flower, laid it on James’ casket as they silently said their good-byes.
When it was Mick’s turn, he walked up and laid his flower on the casket. Memories from long ago resurfaced and tightened his throat.I’m going to miss you, James. I’ll take good care of your granddaughter.
He turned toward Nicole and offered a comforting smile. She returned the gesture.
It was hard not to walk up to her and take her in his arms. He needed consoling, too. But this afternoon wasn’t about him. It was about her and her family. Later this evening he and Nicole could do some consoling while they were alone and in each other’s arms.
Mick walked toward the large steel gate around the cemetery and leaned against it as he watched the crowd. Suddenly, a familiar face toward the back captured his attention. Anger rolled through him as he stared at the face that had ignored him for most of his young life. The same face that the people in Maple Springs despised.
Standing by himself wearing black Wranglers, a buttoned-down collared blue shirt with a gray corduroy jacket over it, and a black felt cowboy hat, was the self-assured man who always walked around as if he owned the land. Which he could if he wanted.
Mick bunched his hands into fists. Thenerveof that man coming here... and grinning like he was at a birthday party instead of a funeral. His father had to leave before Nicole saw him.
He peeked at Nicole to see if she was watching him. Thankfully, she was talking with some older ladies. Mick casually wandered toward his father. Each step made him that much more upset.
The old man saw him, and his grin widened. He nodded. “Son.”
Mick glared. “Carl, what are you doing here? You didn’t even know James.”
“I wanted to see the people I’d be hob-nobbing with once I took over the company.”
Mick stood in front of his father, hopefully blocking Nicole from seeing him. “That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it happen.”
“So you say.” He nodded toward the crowd. “I see you’re sweet on James’ granddaughter. Do you think that’ll get you her company?”
Anger climbed higher inside of Mick. “I promised James I’d help him keep the company in the family. I intend to see it through, so naturally, Nicole and I are good friends.”
Carl chuckled, showing a dimple in his left cheek. “You’re in love with her. I can tell.”
Mick stepped closer. “Why are you really here?”
“I told you.”
“Try again. I don’t believe you.”
“Son, tell your prettyfriendthat I’m not going to give up. I’ll push to get that company from her one way or another and the Remington empire never loses.”
“I really don’t understand any of this.” Mick folded his arms across his chest. “Why are you dead-set on getting Adkins’ Dev-Tech? There are so many more companies in the United States that are going under, so why do you want this one?”
“It’s personal.”
Mick rolled his eyes. “I understand you well enough to know that nothing is personal when it comes to Carl Remington.” Mick scratched his chin. “Let me guess... Did James have a daughter you wanted to date when you were young? Hmm... He only had one son, so that can’t be it. Or had you wanted to go out with Nicole yourself?”
Carl’s glower pierced through Mick. He’d seen the old man give this kind of look to other people before, but never his own son. But Mick was beyond feeling hurt by his father’s rejection. It was now time to put a stop to the Remington empire and give Mick’s name a better reputation.
“If you must know,” his father said slowly, “James and I have had our differences for quite a while now. I’d taken away a company from his brother when you were just a baby, and Adkins bought out the shareholders. I eventually won, but not before Adkins dragged my good name through the mud. Since then, I’ve been waiting for a way to pay him back.” He lifted his chin, arrogantly. “And I think this is the best way to get back at him.”
“Carl,” Mick snarled, “the man is dead. He doesn’t care about your lifetime squabble.”
