Hot SEAL, April's Fool by Becca Jameson (smart books to read .txt) 📗

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

George ran a hand over his face. “Why?”

“Because Chamberlain wants the shop. He set my dad up to get into deeper and deeper debt and then started harassing him a few months ago to get him to turn over the shop to pay off the debt.”

George blew out a long breath, nodding. “Because it’s in the way of the new strip mall construction.”

“Exactly.”

“Jesus. Are you sure it’s even legal?”

“Nope.”

“Has anyone contacted the police?”

Cole chuckled. “My best friend from high school is on the force. I spoke to him yesterday. He says there are only a handful of guys working for the local police department who aren’t corrupt. It’s hard to know for sure who. He trusts no one. He’s only stayed on the job because he’s been hoping to gather enough evidence to take down the entire department from the police chief down.”

“Shit,” George muttered. “So, there’s a good chance that your father wasn’t actually doing anything illegal and neither was Chamberlain. Except that ethically he shouldn’t have continued to extend a line of credit to someone who wasn’t paying his bills.”

“Exactly,” Cole repeated.

“Do you have any idea what you’re planning to do?”

Cole shook his head. “Not yet. Nor did I expect you to tell me the shop was left to me. Now I’m wondering if my dad did this on purpose. If he changed the will three years ago and that was about the time he started betting, it’s possible he’s laughing at me from the grave at the mess he left, and he actually saved Amanda’s ass by leaving her out of it.”

George shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the case, Cole. I know it looks suspicious, but I think your dad genuinely felt bad about how he treated you growing up. In recent years, he bragged about your accomplishments every chance he got.”

“That just makes no sense to me, though Bart Hensley told me the same thing yesterday. Why the hell didn’t he reach out?”

“Pride. He was afraid you wouldn’t talk to him. I suspect it was also easier on his marriage.”

Cole leaned back in the chair. “What a clusterfuck. Pardon my language.”

“I’m going to have to agree with you. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

Cole nodded and rose to leave. “I will. Thank you.” He shook George’s hand and then left the office, more confused than he had been so far this week.

Chapter 10

April had spent the morning showing two houses to a client who had been stringing her along for months. Every once in a while, the couple would send her a few listings and she would show them and then crickets. She was used to it.

She met Cole back at her apartment after lunch, and he started pacing. “My dad left me a letter.”

April stiffened as she dropped onto the couch. She was still wearing her standard professional attire of a nice blouse, black slacks, and a matching jacket, but she’d kicked her heels off at the door. “When did he write you a letter?”

Cole removed his jacket and pulled the envelope from the inside pocket. “Three years ago. George gave it to me this morning. He had one for Amanda and Jacob too.”

“Have you read it yet?”

He shuffled toward her. “No. I didn’t want to do it in front of my stepmom and Jacob. Too personal.” He sat next to her and balanced it in his hands.

“Would you like some time alone to read it? I could go in the bedroom.”

He shook his head. “No. I want you to read it with me.” He wrapped his arm around her and hauled her closer to his side. “According to George, Bart wasn’t lying about my dad. Apparently, he bragged about me often.”

April smiled at him. “That’s good. It will give you some peace.”

“If it’s true, I wish he would have said something while he was alive.”

April set a hand on his thigh. She struggled to know exactly what to say. Nothing sounded adequate to her ears. “I know, but at least you’ll know in his heart he didn’t die angry with you.”

Cole took a deep breath and carefully opened the seal. He pulled out a single, handwritten page and unfolded it, holding it between them.

April leaned closer while they both silently read.

Dear Cole,

There are no words to express how sorry I am for all the years I treated you unfairly. You were just a little boy when your mom died. I didn’t handle things well, and I realized much too late that I deferred to Amanda far too often when it came to raising you.

I was blinded to the fact that Amanda didn’t want to raise a child that wasn’t hers, so she picked on you and made you feel unwanted. There is no excuse for me believing her every time she told me how naughty you were.

After you left home, I thought the house would find peace, but it didn’t. I see now that Amanda was the common denominator. Her mood did not improve with your departure.

I should have left her. I never should have married her in the first place. But we had a child together, and Jacob needed me, so I stayed.

Cole, I never stopped loving you. My first-born son. I know I never said it, but I was always proud of you and everything you accomplished. You’re the strongest person I know. You managed to survive twelve years in a horrible home environment and went on to become a Navy SEAL with no support from the people who should have stood by you.

I’ve kept tabs on you all these years. I scoured the internet to keep up with your accomplishments. I burst with pride every time I think of you. I hope that I played at least some part in setting a foundation for who you would later become during your first six years of life.

Your mother would be so proud too, and I’m sure she’s smiling down on you from