Page 172 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

“You okay?” I ask Sadie.

“Yeah. Not like I have much of a choice.”

“There’s always a choice, baby,” I tell her, “but you’re strong. You can do this. And I’m right here with you.”

Brenda returns with two glasses of water and hands us each one. She takes a seat in a chair opposite the loveseat where Sadie and I are sitting. Those two pieces encompass all the furniture in the small living area.

Brenda wipes her hand over her forehead. “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you both today?”

Sadie clears his throat. “It’s about Joey.”

Brenda gasps, clasps her hand to her heart, her eyes wide. “Oh my God. Has he been found?”

There’s no mistaking the hope in her pretty brown eyes. Sadie looks down at her lap, clearly upset that she didn't choose her words better.

“Not exactly,” Sadie says. “Not the way you mean.”

Brenda frowns. “What are you trying to say, Sadie?”

Sadie turns to me, her eyes glistening. But she won’t cry. Already I know she won’t. She’ll be strong for her mother. For herself.

“Miles, could you…”

“You sure?”

Sadie nods.

“The two of you are freaking me out here.” Brenda flickers her gaze between us.

I take a sip of my water to soothe my parched throat. “Brenda, I’m so sorry to let you know, but your son’s body has been found.”

Brenda gasps again, her hand flying to her mouth.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Hop— I mean Brenda.”

Sadie rises then, brings her mother to her feet, and embraces her.

Brenda cries, and Sadie rubs her back.

I’m not exactly sure what to do, so I pet Princess, who somehow ended up in my lap.

They take a few minutes, and then they break their embrace.

“I suppose it’s good to finally know,” Brenda says.

Sadie nods. “None of this is good, Ma. But you’re right. At least we don’t have to wonder anymore.”

“How do you know all of this? Where was he found?”

Sadie nods to me again.

“He was found on the Bridger ranch,” I say, speaking carefully. “His body was found by a creek.”

“What was he doing—”

“Before you jump to conclusions,” Sadie says, “Miles and his brothers didn’t have anything to do with any of it. If anyone on the Bridger land was involved, it was their father, Jonathan Bridger, and he—”

“He’s dead.” Brenda looks my way. “I read about it. I’m sorry for your loss.”