Page 41 of Smuggler's Cove

“Think about it. You and your brother were the only family he had.”

“As far as we know!” Madison snickered. “There could be more surprises.”

“For instance?”

“An ex-wife? A kid? An illegitimate kid he knew nothing about?”

“You’ve got to stop reading those British mystery novels,” Olivia joked.

“You stop.” Madison waved a hand. “Anything is possible.” She grew thoughtful. “From what I remember, Uncle Kirby was the salt of the earth. Ha. I suppose I should say he was the salt of the river.” She laughed out loud. Then she looked up at the ceiling. “Just kidding, Uncle Kirby. And thank you.” She put her hands together in a prayer position. “We’ve gotta call Lincoln. Do you know if he is in class now?”

Olivia checked the time on her phone. “Not sure. I will send him a text and tell him to call me ASAP.”

Nothing bad but call quick.She typed out the message and hit the SEND button. Within a minute, her phone rang.

“Liv? Everything alright?” Lincoln sounded a little out of breath.

“Yes. Just peachy. And I mean it.” She started to giggle. “I am going to put you on speaker. I’m with Madison.”

“Seriously. Are you okay? Drunk? What’s up?”

“Well, Professor, if you’d shut it for a minute, I’d tell you,” Madison chided.

“Yeah. Yeah. Continue, madame,” he joked in return.

“I just got off the phone with Sidney.”

“That can’t be good news.”

“Au contraire.”Madison was being cheeky. “He informed me that you and I were in Uncle Kirby’s will.”

“Really?” Lincoln was dubious. Not that there were ill feelings between them; it just never occurred to Lincoln that his uncle owned anything, nor did he think his uncle would leave anything to them.

“Yes, dear brother. He owned a marina in Smuggler’s Cove on the Navesink. And he left it to us! Isn’t that exciting?”

Neither Olivia nor Lincoln could remember the last time Madison was this animated.

“Exciting? My word is more in the area ofsurprising.”

“Okay, I shall take both. But listen. Sidney wants us to go down there . . .”

“Down where?”

Madison filled him in on the sparse details and recommended they take a ride the following day. “What’s your schedule?”

“My last class is at eleven. I can meet you there around two. Does that work for you?”

“Perfect. I will hire a car.”

“Now, let’s not get fancy, dearie.” Lincoln had a glimmer of their previous life of extravagance.

“Oh, it’s just one day. Do not be a party pooper. Besides, we now own a marina!”

“Alright. Livvy? Will you please accompany my sister? I do not want her to get lost or into any trouble before I get there. You know how some of these city women can be when they leave the Big Apple.”

“I’ve got it covered.” Olivia winked at Madison.

Madison whispered, “We’ll leave early and have lunch somewhere down there.”