He nods. “He said we have to live together. We have a couple of options. I have my room at the clubhouse. It would be neutral ground. I have my house, or we have yours. Or we could buy a place together.”
I think about it for a second. I hate the thought of living at his place, but the clubhouse isn’t an option. Neither is staying at my dad’s when I can hardly make myself go inside.
“If you don’t mind, I think we should stay at your place. At least until I start clearing out my dad’s things.”
“I can help with that. I’ll talk to the lawyer and see what provisions are in there about donating items. I don’t think you will be able to sell anything until the inheritance issue is resolved.”
I wince. “I hadn’t considered that. Thank you. I would appreciate you finding out for me.”
“Of course. So does that mean we are doing this? You will marry me?” he asks.
I nod. “Against my better judgment, I will marry you.”
Ridge
I hop into action the moment the words are out of her mouth.
“Good. Then I’ll go let the lawyer know right now. How about we go get something to eat and discuss the details? Would that be okay?”
She looks uneasy about her decision, but she nods.
“Hal’s. I’ll go get us a table and meet you there.”
I hold out my hand, helping her to stand. “I’ll be there.”
I walk her to her truck, making sure she is inside safely, before I head back into the office. The receptionist smiles at me.
“He had blocked off two hours for you, so he is free. Go on back.”
I head back into the office. Mr. Cohen turns to greet me.
“So did we make a decision? I can hold off for the full three weeks, but not a minute longer,” he tells me.
“We made a decision. We will be getting married. I will get you the details when we have them. Rain did want to know what the stipulations said about her going through Mustang’s things and donating what she has no use for. Would that be allowed?”
He nods. “Donations are allowed. She will be allowed to sell items as well, but if the profit is more than five hundred dollars, she will be required to put it in the trust. She will not be permitted to sell the house nor any of the stocks.”
“Understood. Thank you for all your help. I’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to hearing from you. I’m glad she changed her mind. Mustang seemed to worry about her a lot.”
I nod. “He loved his daughter very much.”
I wave to the receptionist as I exit the building. Climbing on my bike, I imagine having Rain on the back of it again. I didn’t get to enjoy it the way I wanted to last time. The day was filled with grief and anxiety. Maybe one day I will convince her to take another ride with me.
Shaking the thoughts away, I make the quick drive to Hal’s Diner. She’s already inside waiting for me. When I slide in across from her, I’m surprised to find a drink waiting for me. When I take a sip, I’m surprised to find root beer. It’s my favorite.
“Thank you,” I tell Rain.
“Don’t read into it. Dad kept root beer in the house for you. It’s hard not to notice,” she says, looking out the window.
“Still, thank you.”
She looks over to me. “I don’t know how to move past all this anger in my heart. I’m angry with him. I’m angry with you. I’m angry at the world.”
“Grief affects people in different ways. You are allowed to be angry at everyone.”
“He’s dead, though, and I’m angry at him. Doesn’t that make me the asshole?” she murmurs.