Read Online A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) by Cathy Bryant - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Cathy Bryant
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receptionist punched a button on the fancy phone system.
“Yes?” Andy Tyler’s familiar voice sounded through the speaker.
“Miss Kelly has arrived.”
“Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Dakota stepped away from the counter and prayed silently. Lord, help me get through this graciously, no matter the outcome.
A second later Andy stuck his head through the swinging door which separated the waiting area from the private offices. “Hey, Dakota, come on back. Chance is already here.”
Her heart somersaulted at the mention of his name. She'd kept her distance since J.C.'s passing, not just to give him grieving time, but to protect her shredded heart from further damage. Dakota followed Andy and his immaculate black suit to a well-decorated conference room where Chance sat talking to a beautiful Hispanic woman.
Andy held out a hand toward the petite woman dressed in stylish business clothes. “Dakota, I’d like you to meet my sister-in-law and partner, Grace Tyler.”
The woman stood with great effort and stretched a hand toward Dakota, a kind smile on her face. “Hi, Dakota. Nice to meet you.”
Dakota smiled back. “You, too.” She cast an anxious glance at Andy and approached the long table, unsure of proper protocol. It was all she could to avoid Chance’s direct gaze, which burned a hole in the right side of her head.
“Please have a seat.” Andy plopped to a leather chair and opened an extra-thick blue file folder. He looked up, alternating his gaze between her and Chance as he spoke. “Let me once more express my condolences. J.C. meant a lot to this town and to me personally. I know he also meant a great deal to both of you.”
Dakota fought unexpected tears while Chance voiced his gratitude. Why weren’t her emotions following her orders today? She finally found her numb place and once more looked Andy in the face.
“I met with J.C. at the hospital the morning he passed.”
Hope quickened her pulse. Was there a chance J.C. might've actually left the farm to her?
Andy continued. “He requested a codicil to his will concerning the farm Dakota's grandfather willed to him. Under his current condition, J.C. also requested that we draw up the paperwork right then and there so it could be signed, witnessed, and notarized.” He paused, a sad smile on his handsome face. “He sensed the end of his earthly life was near.” Andy slid the document across the table to Chance. “I think you’ll find everything in order.”
Chance studied the pages for just a second, then nodded and passed them back to Andy.
Just as quickly as hope arrived, it departed and took another piece of her heart with it. J.C. had probably just added special instructions to his will to insure that Chance legally received the farm. They’d simply brought her here to make sure she understood the will, so she wouldn’t cause any problems down the road.
Andy looked directly at Chance. “Chance, your grandfather left you the farm.”
Shards of glass, thin and fatal, pricked her heart. Dakota's eyes closed at the ensuing pain, but she quickly re-opened them to salvage what self-respect she had left. It was for the best. God would take care of her wherever she landed. She stole a forbidden look at Chance.
He at least had the decency to appear shocked. “But—”
Andy held up both hands. “Let me finish, please.”
Dakota lowered her head, wishing she were anywhere else. Lord, hurry up and get me out of here.
“Dakota, J.C. also left the farm to you.”
She jerked her head up, eyes wide. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly. “But I don’t understand.”
Beside her, Chance shifted uncomfortably, shook his head from side to side, and chuckled uneasily. “This is never gonna work.”
Andy ignored the comment for the moment and focused his attention on her. “It was J.C.’s desire for you to inherit the farm with Chance, with each of you owning an equal share.”
Chance was right. Not only would this not work, it
“Yes?” Andy Tyler’s familiar voice sounded through the speaker.
“Miss Kelly has arrived.”
“Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Dakota stepped away from the counter and prayed silently. Lord, help me get through this graciously, no matter the outcome.
A second later Andy stuck his head through the swinging door which separated the waiting area from the private offices. “Hey, Dakota, come on back. Chance is already here.”
Her heart somersaulted at the mention of his name. She'd kept her distance since J.C.'s passing, not just to give him grieving time, but to protect her shredded heart from further damage. Dakota followed Andy and his immaculate black suit to a well-decorated conference room where Chance sat talking to a beautiful Hispanic woman.
Andy held out a hand toward the petite woman dressed in stylish business clothes. “Dakota, I’d like you to meet my sister-in-law and partner, Grace Tyler.”
The woman stood with great effort and stretched a hand toward Dakota, a kind smile on her face. “Hi, Dakota. Nice to meet you.”
Dakota smiled back. “You, too.” She cast an anxious glance at Andy and approached the long table, unsure of proper protocol. It was all she could to avoid Chance’s direct gaze, which burned a hole in the right side of her head.
“Please have a seat.” Andy plopped to a leather chair and opened an extra-thick blue file folder. He looked up, alternating his gaze between her and Chance as he spoke. “Let me once more express my condolences. J.C. meant a lot to this town and to me personally. I know he also meant a great deal to both of you.”
Dakota fought unexpected tears while Chance voiced his gratitude. Why weren’t her emotions following her orders today? She finally found her numb place and once more looked Andy in the face.
“I met with J.C. at the hospital the morning he passed.”
Hope quickened her pulse. Was there a chance J.C. might've actually left the farm to her?
Andy continued. “He requested a codicil to his will concerning the farm Dakota's grandfather willed to him. Under his current condition, J.C. also requested that we draw up the paperwork right then and there so it could be signed, witnessed, and notarized.” He paused, a sad smile on his handsome face. “He sensed the end of his earthly life was near.” Andy slid the document across the table to Chance. “I think you’ll find everything in order.”
Chance studied the pages for just a second, then nodded and passed them back to Andy.
Just as quickly as hope arrived, it departed and took another piece of her heart with it. J.C. had probably just added special instructions to his will to insure that Chance legally received the farm. They’d simply brought her here to make sure she understood the will, so she wouldn’t cause any problems down the road.
Andy looked directly at Chance. “Chance, your grandfather left you the farm.”
Shards of glass, thin and fatal, pricked her heart. Dakota's eyes closed at the ensuing pain, but she quickly re-opened them to salvage what self-respect she had left. It was for the best. God would take care of her wherever she landed. She stole a forbidden look at Chance.
He at least had the decency to appear shocked. “But—”
Andy held up both hands. “Let me finish, please.”
Dakota lowered her head, wishing she were anywhere else. Lord, hurry up and get me out of here.
“Dakota, J.C. also left the farm to you.”
She jerked her head up, eyes wide. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly. “But I don’t understand.”
Beside her, Chance shifted uncomfortably, shook his head from side to side, and chuckled uneasily. “This is never gonna work.”
Andy ignored the comment for the moment and focused his attention on her. “It was J.C.’s desire for you to inherit the farm with Chance, with each of you owning an equal share.”
Chance was right. Not only would this not work, it
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