The Right Bride

Chapter Thirty-Three


“WHAT IS SHE doing in here?” Both Walter and his sister, Claire, said in unison.

“I was invited.” She sat in the only chair left for her in front of a TV brought in for the will.

The lawyer turned on the TV and George’s image appeared in the paused video. She thought it fitting a boom of thunder exploded and rain poured outside. The rain threatened all day and she welcomed it now. She’d met George again during a storm. Fitting she should say goodbye with the rain pouring down outside.

“Hello, Marti,” George said from the TV.

She stared up at his image and whispered, “Hello, George.”

“I wanted to take a minute to thank you for what you did for me the day I met you on the dock. You saved my life—in more ways than one.”

“What is he talking about, you saved his life?”

She ignored Walter and listened to George.

“You reminded me we are all unique, and nothing is ever given to us freely, except love and friendship. I love you, Marti, my friend.”

“I love you too, George,” she whispered.

“You told me not to allow my family to dictate my life and my death. We talked about how being born into a family fortune didn’t mean you were entitled to something you never worked to contribute to the family’s name and honor.

“You understand this, Marti. You’ve grown up to be a fine woman on your own, who has made your own way in this world. You took what you were given, both tangible and intangible, from your grandparents, and you’ve enriched your family’s honor and name. Your grandparents had you to do that for them, and I have Cameron. Please Marti. Take Cameron aside and tell him the truth.

“I want to tell you I’m sorry, Marti, for what is about to happen. I’m afraid in order to try to make things right, I may hurt you very badly in the end. If it all works out, I know you’ll be truly happy, and my grandchildren will have an amazing mother in you.”

She felt Cameron’s eyes bore into her back, but she refused to turn and face him.

“Emma, my darling princess. I love you. Don’t be sad for me. I, like you, got to have Marti in my life for a short while and it has made all the difference. You will always be my princess and I shall always be your Knight.”

Emma slipped up beside Marti and laid her head on her shoulder. Marti reached up and held her head to her cheek.

The lawyer turned off the TV. “Marti, if you please. Everyone else, we’ll continue in a few moments. Marti and Cameron need to have a private conversation.”

“Wait a minute. What does it matter what she has to tell Cameron for my father?” Walter asked.

Marti had enough.

“Walter, you’ll sit there and shut up for as long as it takes me to speak to Cameron,” she snapped. “Are you so eager and greedy you can’t allow George to have his final requests seen through the way he wanted?”

“Why the hell should I listen to you?”

“Because you asked why it matters what I have to say. I’ll tell you. It matters a lot. I’m about to change all of your lives.” Marti turned her back on Walter and faced Cameron. “If you’ll please join me in the other room, I’ll tell you what George wished he could have told you himself.”

“Please keep an eye on Emma. I’ll be back in a moment,” Cameron said to Shelly.

“Of course, darling. Don’t be long.” She couldn’t wait to hear what the old goat had left to Cameron. What was the big secret?