Page 17 of Colton (Raging Barons MC #17)

“I’m Debra. Mr. Jenkins will be ready to see you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” I take a seat and calm myself. I was more than surprised Zoey appeared and blamed me for her friendship failing. Some people really don’t see what is happening around them. She must hear the murmurs about herself, and the terrible town name they have given her.

An elderly gentleman appears from the hallway behind where Debra is sitting at a reception desk. He gives Debra and me a smile as he leaves the office. I’m hoping that means I’ll be seeing Mr. Jenkins in a few minutes.

I get my mind into thinking about my Momma’s will, the house, and my inheritance. That’s what I am here for, after all. I hope I’m not going to have trouble, but I’m not willing to give everything up for father’s ‘wifey’ either.

“You can go through now, Nyx. Take the first door on the left for Mr. Jenkins' office.” Debra points to the hallway, and I quickly walk past her and to the office.

Knocking on the door, I hear, “Come in.”

Entering, I take in the small but neat office. Mr. Jenkins is behind his desk and takes his glasses off, giving me a smile. “Take a seat, Nyx. Is it alright to call you Nyx, or do you prefer Miss Broadhurst?”

“Nyx is perfectly fine.” I take a seat in front of his desk, lay my purse on my knee and give him all my attention.

Shuffling the papers on his desk, he picks up whatever he was looking for before looking up at me once more, and replaces his glasses.

“I have your mother’s will, and it’s perfectly clear that she left you an amount of money for when you are twenty-five years of age.

Once you have had your birthday come to see me, and I’ll release that inheritance.

It is around fifty-two thousand dollars at this time.

It is invested, so has grown over the years, and should continue to do so. ”

I nod, but ask nothing, as what he’s said is perfectly clear. “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Nyx. I’m happy to do my job and make sure you get your inheritance when it is due.

Now, the next thing is the house, which was your mother’s before she married, so the house is a pre-marital asset.

Your father has been trying to sell the house, but the deeds are not in his name.

They are in your mother's name, and yours.”

I give a sharp intake of breath. “In my name?”

“Yes. Your mother changed her will six months before she died. She had the deeds changed so you would be the owner when anything happened to her. Did your father not tell you this?” Mr. Jenkins is looking over the top of his glasses at me.

“No, he did not. He had been living in the house with his new wife.

Well, until they went to Europe. Now they are staying in Europe and my father has been telling me to come to the lawyer's office and sign the house over so he can sell it. What he has said had me thinking it was his and mine, and he wanted his share or rather, he wanted the money from the sale to buy something in Europe,” I put it out there, so Mr. Jenkins knows exactly what is going on.

“Oh, I see. Well, your father has been in touch with us, and told us you wanted to sign the house over to him. That’s why I was happy to see you.

I thought you were here to just sign that and close that part of your mother's will.” Mr. Jenkins places the will back on the desk and leans back, studying me.

“Oh, this is going to be fun. Let me be clear Mr. Jenkins. I am not now, nor will I ever sign over the house deeds to my father, or anyone else. I, for now at least, will keep the house and if I decide to sell it, the money will buy another property for me to live in.”

Mr. Jenkins grins, and it’s one of those that only lifts half your mouth, so it’s more of a smirk.

“Good for you, Nyx. I knew your mother and she loved you dearly. When she made her will she wanted that house to be yours. She wasn’t bothered if you kept it or sold it, but she wanted you to have the benefit of it.

She knew your father wouldn’t take long finding someone else if anything happened to her. ”

“Did she know she was dying at that time?” I ask tentatively.

“Yes. The doctors had told her she had around a year. She had an aggressive cancer.” Mr. Jenkins looks like he has damp eyes, so I don’t push this topic.

“Did she think my father already had someone else?” I ask because his wifey appeared quickly after my Momma died, and I often wondered if he was cheating with the hag, as I like to think of her.

“No, she didn’t think that. But she didn’t think he’d stay alone long. He is the kind of person who needs someone to guide him through life. That’s why I suppose he’s just following his wife’s lead.”

“Well, I’m not signing anything that gives them the house. I’ll keep it and for now, it can stay as it is. What about utility bills?” I ask because I’ve not been paying them, and I am not sure I can afford to pay them.

“Your mother set up an account with an amount to pay utilities. We have the money in an account that is used for stock and trading purposes. So, it grows the total amount your mother placed into it. Each month, the utilities are paid, and anything else that may need to be paid, like repair bills. Your father knows about this and has claimed for repairs at various times.” Mr. Jenkins looks for another piece of paper and studies it. “New roof…”

“The house hasn’t had a new roof!” I interrupt.

“Well, your father claimed money for a new roof two years ago.” Mr. Jenkins looks again over the rim of his glasses, and I give him a shake of the head, letting him know that never happened.

“Do you want to get the law involved because he could be charged with embezzlement of the funds?”

“No. But if you can let him know I’m not selling, and that I have stopped his being able to touch or claim anything from the fund again, that would be good. Oh, if I can do that?” I hope I’m not overstepping.

“Oh, we can do that, and I’ll make sure it happens. Now, you can do as you like with the house, but don’t worry about any bills. Your inheritance you will get in what, two years?”

“Yes, but I’m not counting on that money. I’m making my own way and building my own life.”

Arriving home an hour later, I wave at the biker passing, and he gives me a small wave in return.

I don’t see any kids hanging around, so that’s a good sign.

I look over at Penny’s place and it’s all quiet, so I’m good to head inside, and I’ll give her a call later.

I want to get myself something to eat, shower, then I’m going to relax on my bed watching a movie.

It’s been a long day, and I deserve it. The smile I have on my face catches me by surprise because it’s there when I think of that goddamn gnome.