“And little Jake? How is he doing, Cat?” Jake was Cat’s son, a cute, active four-year-old who made Mandy’s maternal instincts pop whenever she saw the little imp.
“Good. He misses his grandfather though. Strange as it may seem, Jake had become my father’s reason for being. Life certainly takes strange turns.”
That was an understatement.
“And are you still going ahead with that adverse-possession lawsuit?”
“There will be time to talk about my issues another day. You didn’t call us here on a Monday night to find out how we are doing. You could have done that over the phone.”
The waitress was back with a cola and two bottles of craft beer, which she set on the table. Mandy took a swig, enjoying its yeasty taste. She hardly knew how to begin.
“The will was read on Thursday, right before we had to leave for a rodeo. It is a complicated document, but essentially…” Mandy did her best to explain it all. Libby and Cat had tons of questions, but in the end, they seemed to get it just as the plates of burgers arrived.
“I can’t believe your grandfather is trying to arrange your marriage. With a guy you hate,” Libby said. “Although I guess it’s just as bad as a father arranging a divorce from a guy you love.”
“They say love and hate are very closely related,” Cat offered.
“Not in this case.”
“Well, I seem to recall a teenager who thought she was in love with Ty Martin.”
“A lot has changed in ten years, Cat. And no one is talking about love here. This would be strictly a marriage of convenience for just six months. And I am only considering it to get my company back and keep it from being sold.”
“But you said he could sell it in six months, regardless, if he has a buyer.”
“Well, that’s the gamble I would be taking. Given how tight credit is, I think I have good odds of keeping the company. Has to be better odds than if he has a year.” Or two.
“Then why are you hesitating? If you hate him”—Cat put air quotes around the word “hate” as she spoke—“wouldn’t that make it less complicated? Just divorce him after six months, since you said that was what he wants as well.”
Mandy took a deep breath. These were her dearest friends. She would have to be honest. Cat, for sure, would know if she wasn’t.
“I may not like him, but strange as it is, I find myself still physically attracted to him. I don’t know if I can hold out for six months. As part of the conditions…” She paused, not sure how to present the terms of the will. She would just say it out loud. “I have to sleep in the same room with him, and I can’t be away from him overnight. Basically, we have to be living together.”
Libby’s mouth fell open, and Cat chuckled.
Libby recovered first. “Well, take it from me. Even living at Chance’s in separate bedrooms, while I was taking care of him after his accident, didn’t change the inevitable,”
Cat shook her head. “And I can’t imagine anything would stop me if I was twenty-four seven with someone I was attracted to. Although I’d like to try that experiment with the right person.”
“Cody Taylor popping into your head?” Mandy teased.
Cat smiled. “Oh yeah. But he’s the one who hates me, so that’s a nonstarter.”
“You tell your mama this?” Libby asked Mandy.
“I did. And surprisingly, she’s encouraged me to go for it. For some strange reason, she seems to like Ty, and she doesn’t see anything so awful in this. I think she fears this is the only way I’ll ever get married.”
“Well, you have to admit your choice in men hasn’t been the best, not that I’m one to talk.” Cat grimaced. “Maybe your grandfather will have a better batting average.”
“Highly unlikely. But if I did do this, how can I have any self-respect?”
“Well, what’s more important, your pride or your company? Because that’s what it comes down to, doesn’t it?” Libby said. “Pride can be a big obstacle. I know it was for Chance. I’m just glad he overcame it.” Libby’s smile broadened.
“So you have to decide tonight?” Cat asked.
“Two o’clock tomorrow I have to be in our lawyer’s office either ready to get married or ready to give my company over to Ty for up to two years, shorter if he sells it.”
“That’s some dilemma—either marry a man you don’t love but would like to go to bed with or stand to lose your family’s business,” Libby said.
Mandy shook her head. “And what hurts the most is that this was all my grandfather’s doing. My grandfather, who loved me and loved the company. It boggles my mind.”
“Why do you think your grandfather chose Ty and asked him to look into selling the company?” Libby took a big bite of her hamburger. Considering petite Libby ordered not only a deluxe hamburger platter but a plate of onion rings and a milkshake, it seemed she was already in the “eating for two” mode, even if she was only three months along.