Page 24 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)
Esther Cunningham finished mixing up a pitcher of sweet tea for lunch, wondering what was taking her mate, Jay, so long.
That man! Send him on a two-minute errand to check the mailbox and he’d take an hour.
On the other hand, they were retired now, and in no particular hurry on this or any other day.
Their years of caring for orphaned cubs were over, though they loved visiting the new BSA home in town on occasion.
Nowadays, there were quieter and less exhausting pursuits to keep them occupied.
Esther caught her mate’s scent before he ever set foot on the porch. It was an odd mix of worry and curiosity, caused by who knew what. Jay walked in carrying a single white envelope, huffing and mildly upset.
“What is it, Jay?”
He grimaced, adding a growl for good measure.
“Some attorney’s office over in Pittsburg. I’m not familiar with the firm’s name, and what would they want with us? I suppose we better open it and find out.”
Lunch could wait a few minutes, so they sat together on the sofa to read the unexpected missive. Inside was a single sheet of quality stationery with a fancy letterhead at the top, addressed to Jay and Esther Cunningham.
“On behalf of Pittsburgh Wealth Management (PWM), my firm is seeking information regarding the late Hugo Kennedy and any of Mr. Kennedy’s living relatives and/or descendants.
Recent research has led us to believe that he may have fathered one or more children approximately twenty-five years ago.
Further, we believe these children may have been under the care of person(s) in your area.
“Any knowledge you may have would be of great help to our firm and to the possible descendants of Mr. Kennedy. Of course, information shared with us will be held in the strictest confidence, and is completely voluntary. Should you be willing to assist us in this matter, please contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Randall T. Gorman, Esq., attorney-at-law
Richardson, Hopper, and Smyth LLC”
Esther joined Jay in a growl fest of irritation and concern. After all these years, why would they want to dig up Gruff’s horrible past and upset the poor man? The letter must hold some clues, and Esther read it over again.
“I don’t understand this at all. Who needs to contact a dead man’s descendants? And what’s this about recent research? Are you telling me that somebody’s still poking around after two decades? I don’t know what these people really want, but I’ll not have anyone upsetting our Gruff!”
Jay pulled her close, kissing her cheek.
“There now, Mate, let’s think this through.
Hiring an attorney is expensive and they wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t important.
Maybe Kennedy left a will before he lost his mind.
Let’s give DeeDee a call and see what she thinks.
That woman has all kinds of connections, and she won’t allow anyone to bother Gruff unless there’s a darn good reason. Meantime, we won’t say a word.”
Esther agreed, though this whole thing dredged up painful memories they’d buried long ago.
“I know he’s a grown man and doing just fine, but if he gets wind of this, it might set him back again. Gruff’s been through enough already.”
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Meanwhile, in Bear Creek
DeeDee finished working on next week’s council meeting agenda and reached for a treat on the corner of her desk.
There were three choices, and she had a decision to make—Mud Truffle, Nut Bomb, or a Lava & Frost Bar?
She loved them all and none would survive the afternoon, but since the truffle was closest, she popped it into her mouth.
The strong coffee ganache covered with milk chocolate gave her sensitive shifter tongue a workout and excited her bear.
How, she wondered, had she ever survived the years before Aiden Romero opened Delicious ?
A quick check of her email revealed two items of interest. The first was a grand opening date for Bella Vita, the new Italian restaurant owned by Lorenzo Morelli—a charming gentleman who happened to be Aiden Romero’s former boss.
It would be the first fine dining establishment in Bear Creek, and long overdue in her opinion.
DeeDee hoped it became another reason for guests of the Pocono Ridge Resort to visit Bear Creek and stay awhile to shop or attend a concert.
Of course, with Wilkes Barre only ten miles away, it also made sense to spend advertising dollars on their nearest neighbor.
The second email to catch her attention came from Levi McCoy. He’d sent her a proposal for this year’s public entertainment, and she was still chuckling when Carmen entered the office with a concerned look and a message.
“Jay Cunningham on line two. It sounds urgent.”
DeeDee wasted no time picking up.
“What is it, Jay? Is Esther all right?”
“Yes, yes, she’s fine, but we got a letter today from an attorney in Pittsburg. There may be trouble for Gruff.”
DeeDee was not expecting anything of the sort, and her mind began to reel with possibilities. Did it have to be now, just when the poor man had so much going on?
“All right, Jay. Start by telling me what it’s about and then read me the letter. If someone is after Gruff, they’ll have to get through me first!”