“I am, my lady.” He laughed a little. “I’m hoping that my name is in that will somewhere. I could use me a bit of that now and then.”
Evie winked at Benson, who only nodded. Yes, her Bentley was in the will. The man would never have to work again should he not want to, and his beloved daughter and grandchildren would be taken care of for the rest of their days as well. As would their family after them. Evie took care of those she loved.
As soon as Benson left, she and Bentley got into the car. They were traveling as far as they chose to tonight, then more tomorrow and the next day. The plan was to drive willy nilly like this to keep her granddaughter safe. There were a lot of people out there that would love to get their hands on her, and Evie hoped that anyone attempting to follow her to Addie would be thwarted. Even as old as she was, she was like a little girl excited for the next adventure. When they stopped to have dinner, she smiled at Bentley.
“You do know that this will work out, don’t you?” He nodded at her as he bit into his salmon. She waited until he was finished before she continued. “I’m leaving you five million dollars. And the house in Paris to use as you wish.”
He nearly choked to death. She was up and out of her chair before the waiter came to their aide. It might have been funny if she wasn’t so afraid that she’d killed him. When he told her for the fourth time he was all right, she sat back in her chair and waited for him to say something.
“I was joking, my lady. I never expected you to…what a thing to do.” He pushed his plate back. “Tell me that you’re kidding me and we’ll laugh about this.”
Shaking her head, she picked up her own fork. “The house will be in your name, but also your daughter’s. I didn’t want either of you to pay any taxes either, so I have set it up that it’s paid yearly. The money is all in your name. I have put it in some accounts, investments that will make you more money so that you can leave it to whoever you wish. I’ve also set up a—” He cut her off. “I have to do this. Benson said that you’d need to know in the event that I die soon.”
“You’re not going to die soon. You’re too stubborn for that. But the money will have to be given to someone else. I’ve no need of that from you.” When he picked up his fork, she could see his hand trembling. “You can give it to one of those charities that you’re forever going on about. And as for my daughter, she is doing very well thanks to you and the funds that you set up for her children.”
“I’ve paid off the loan too.” He looked at her and sat his fork down again. “I didn’t know about it until recently. Had you come to me about the money, I would have gladly given it to you. I love your daughter as much as you do. You know that.”
“I never meant for you to find out. Never. It was something that I had to do, and coming to you about it would have…she was afraid you’d fire me. The doctors had to have it all right up front or they’d not help her.” He looked away. “Can you believe it? Not help someone like my little Caroline? And she with them babies too. What was I…? I couldn’t go to you. Not then. She told me that she’d not do it if I was beholden to you. I didn’t want her to be more upset than she already was. And she loves you too, Miss Evie. You’re the best…she loves you too.”
“You should have come to me later, when she was better.” He nodded and looked down at his plate. She could tell he was crying, and her heart hurt for the big man. Caroline was his world, as were her four children.
“Cancer is a nasty business. It took my wife when she was no more than a child herself. And then it was fixing to take my child too.” Bentley sobbed harshly, and she put her hand over his and squeezed. “I just couldn’t lose anyone else. Not again.”
“Bentley, I’ve made a large donation to the cancer research center. They’ll lick this thing sooner or later.” He nodded. “I’m leaving you that money so you don’t ever have to do that again. For your daughter or your grandchildren. I want you all to be safe.”
“You know that I appreciate you and love you without the money.” She nodded. “You old bat, what am I gonna do with you now?”
It was the first time in all their history together that he’d called her anything but “my lady” or “Miss Evie.” Evie laughed so hard that she nearly choked herself, and had to stand up or she’d fall on her face. By the time they left the lovely little restaurant, they were both still laughing and getting long looks from the staff. Evie went to bed that night with a large smile on her face, and so much joy in her heart that she could have sworn she saw her Jacob. Her first and only true love.
~~~