Page 173

“Lakelyn, what on earth are you talking about?”

“It appeared in my bank account this morning.”

“What do you mean, appeared?”

I carefully explained the transaction line, the exact name attached to the disbursement, the astronomical amount, and how I hadn’t requested anything or signed any paperwork.

Henrietta remained completely silent on the other end for several seconds. When she finally spoke, her voice had dropped to a quiet, reverent tone. “That was one of Caspian’s accounts.”

I sat up straighter, gripping the phone tighter. “What?”

“Yes. I recognize that trust entity. He used to send money from it.”

“To who?” I quizzed.

“Different people… sometimes me.” Fondness and a soft, lingering grief entered her voice. “That boy was always sending me something—money, flowers, expensive gifts. Half the time, I wouldn’t even know he bought me anything until a delivery truck showed up at my front gate.”

A faint, bittersweet smile touched my lips.

That sounded exactly like the Caspian I knew and loved. He had always been generous to a fault, especially when it came to his mom and making sure the people in his circle were set for life.

“But I could’ve sworn I handled every account I knew about. Then again, Caspian had several private accounts and investments set up through offshore structures and local trusts, so who knows what that man had tucked away or where. What I do know is, I didn’t send you that money. But that was my son for you. That boy could make money disappear so quietly you’d think it grew legs, died, and came back haunting another account.”

My smile slowly disappeared. “And you have no idea how it could’ve possibly gotten there?”

“No, sweetie. I don’t.”

“Should I try to send it back?”

“To who?”

I opened my mouth to respond but then closed it again as the absurdity of the question hit me. “Well...”

“Lakelyn, if it had my son’s name attached to it, nine times out of ten, that money came directly from one of his private accounts,” Henrietta confirmed, her tone firm and maternal. “And if Caspian were standing right there in front of you, you know exactly what he’d tell you to do with it.”

“Spend it?”

“Exactly. Hell, since he’s not here, I’ma tell you.” Henrietta laughed softly, a warm sound that settled my nerves. “I would say wait a few days, just to be sure it’s not some kind of glitch, delayed transfer, or somebody at the bank realizing they made a mistake and coming back for it.”

I let out a breath. “You sound just like Willow.”

“Well, Willow might be a little more reckless with it, but she’s not completely wrong.”

I hated to admit it, but Henrietta had a point… so did Willow.

“If a few days pass and nobody calls, nothing gets reversed, and the bank confirms everything is legitimate, then take care of yourself and your family... and throw the best mother-in-law in the world a little something for minding her business all these years.”

I laughed. “If that money is really mine, I got you.”

“I know I liked you for some reason,” she teased.

“Liked?” I kidded.

“Lakelyn, you know I love you.”

We shared a laugh.

Then Henrietta’s voice softened, the humor easing out of it. “But seriously, baby, I can’t explain how it got there. What I do know is my son always wanted you taken care of. He spent his whole life making sure nobody could ever take anything from you. Maybe this is one of those blessings that shows up looking confusing as hell before you realize what it really is.”