Page 168 of Family Affair

“We’re going to open a gallery,” Cade said.

Stella’s surprise was funny in its intensity. “A gallery?” She quickly composed herself and her eyes narrowed. “Really. How?”

“Cade’s an heir, remember?” Ross chimed in. “Ward was loaded as fuck.”

Stella gave Lucy an apologetic glance. “Sorry, Lucy. Some people come from jail with better manners than this tech support person.”

Lucy smiled. “I believe I am becoming quite immune to this kind of language.”

Cade shook his head. “Shame on us. I did inherit Ward’s money, and it is what’s going to bankroll the gallery, but not all of it is technically Ward’s.”

That got Ross’s attention. “What am I missing?”

“Ward kept Frank’s money.”

“The hell you say. Cade and Father controlled all of Frank’s money. It’s all gone down the tubes.”

Cade gave Ross a Cheshire Cat smile. “Just because I wasn’t interested in their money laundering schemes didn’t mean I was stupid enough to turn every single cent over to the two of them. They didn’t have everything, and, by the way, they knew it.”

Ross threw his head back and laughed. “Cagey bastard.”

“I did have some trust issues,” Cade acknowledged.

Finally, Ross rose to his feet.

“Sorry, folks, I’ve got to go. Have people to meet, business to run.”

There was peace about Ross despite the heavy load of the family’s business he was shouldering.

Cade put out his hand. “The keys, please.”

“Oh yeah. I almost forgot.” Ross dug into his front pocket and extracted a key that he placed in Cade’s hand.

Coco followed their exchange with curiosity. “What is it for?”

“Our house.”

“You bought a house?”

“It’s Ward’s house.”

“You plan to stay there?”

“I plan to live there. With you.”

At the first sweep, Coco didn’t think it was a good idea. “With so many memories? And the murder?”

“It’s been gutted and redone while I was wasting my time at the jail.” He turned toward Coco and gave her full regard out of his deep soulful eyes. “As far as my memories, most of them are actually great. I more or less grew up in that house. And I loved Ward. Let’s start there and see where it takes us. I’m positive we can build something new and good out of this sordid story.”

“What a great sentiment!” Stella clapped her hands, surprising Coco with her excitement. And Lucy looked to be on the verge of tears.

“What?” Coco’s eyes bounced back and forth between them.

Cade tenderly moved a tendril of hair that kept falling across her eye, tucking it behind her ear. “I think your mother and your friend were worried you’ll leave Atlanta.”

“Why?” Coco couldn't believe she’d missed this important implication. “I didn’t even think about it.”

“I know, dear,” Lucy’s smile held a tremulous quality to it. “But I did. After all, Cade hasn’t made his home here in a long time. Stella and I expected him to leave and you to follow.”