Chapter 18

Eighteen

Cory

The law office of Brown and Brown in Beaver Creek looked exactly as I remembered—solid, understated, and dependable. The small brass plate by the door gleamed in the sunlight, a reminder of its long-standing presence in the community. I stepped inside, greeted by the faint smell of aged wood and the indistinct murmur of distant voices.

“Cory, good to see you,” Steven Brown said as he emerged from his office. He was dressed sharply as always, his salt-and-pepper hair lending him an air of authority. We shook hands, and he motioned me into the conference room.

“Steven, thanks for squeezing me in,” I said, dropping a thick folder onto the polished table. It contained the insurance policy and every scrap of documentation related to the building.

He nodded, flipping through the paperwork. “No problem at all. I’ve been following the news. The fire was unfortunate, but from what I’ve read, there’s no suspicion of foul play?”

“None,” I confirmed. “Lightning strike, according to the inspector. The timing couldn’t have been worse, though.”

He looked up from the papers, giving me a thoughtful glance. “You plan to rebuild?”

I shrugged, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not sure. Honestly, Steven, I’m not even sure I want to stay in Dallas. It doesn’t feel like home anymore. I’ve been thinking about moving operations here.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Here? To Beaver Creek?”

“Yeah. I’ve already spoken to some of my team. They’re on board with the idea of relocating to a quieter town. And while you’re at it,” I added, “reach out to my realtor in Dallas. I want the mansion on the market by the end of the week.”

Steven leaned back, clearly surprised. “That’s a big decision. May I ask why?”

I hesitated, the thought of Elena and Jake flashing in my mind. “Let’s just say I’ve got a reason to simplify my life. I’m considering turning Dad’s hardware store into a headquarters for the foundation. It’s quaint, central, and keeps things grounded.” I shook my head, “The idea about the hardware store hasn’t been discussed with Dad yet. But it’s time for him to retire and enjoy life while he still can.”

He nodded slowly, jotting down notes. “That’s a nice gesture, Cory. I can handle the realtor and get the ball rolling on the insurance claim. But let’s get everything in order first.”

Turning back to the folder, he opened a desk drawer and pulled out a yellowed file with Prescott Harrison’s name printed neatly on the tab. “Speaking of your foundation, this might interest you. Your grandfather’s original will. I’ve had it on file all these years, but I figured you might want to keep it for posterity.”

I accepted the folder, flipping it open. It was mostly familiar paperwork—nothing surprising—until I spotted the edge of an unopened envelope wedged between two pages. Pulling it out, I turned it over in my hands. “What’s this?”

Steven frowned. “I don’t know. I must have missed it when I cleaned out Prescott’s lockbox after his passing.”

Curiosity piqued; I handed it back. “Open it.”

He slid a letter opener under the flap, carefully extracting a handwritten note and a check. His eyes scanned the contents, his face slowly morphing into shock.

“This… This is addressed to Elena Mitchell,” he said, looking at me with raised brows. “Your grandfather… He left her a check for $10 million.”

I froze, and the air suddenly felt heavier. “What? Why?”

Steven handed me the note. My eyes skimmed over Prescott’s familiar handwriting.

Dear Elena,

I have heard of your son, though I do not wish to intrude upon your or Cory’s life. This check is a token of my gratitude for all you have endured and a gesture of apology for any pain caused. Please forgive me for not delivering this message in person. I am gravely ill, and this is the best I can offer.

Prescott Harrison

My stomach churned as I handed the letter back to Steven, unable to process it fully. “I only recently found out about my son, Jake. I have reconnected with his mother, Elena, and hope we have a future together… another reason for moving away from Dallas.”

Steven cleared his throat. “It appears so. He must have wanted to make amends in his own way.”

I exhaled sharply, my mind spinning. “The check’s no good now, is it?”

Steven shook his head. “Not after all these years. But the intention is clear.”

I nodded slowly, determination settling in. “We’ll find a way to honor it. I’ll cover the funds personally and present a new check to Elena. She deserves to know this.”

Steven gave me a small, understanding smile. “You’ve got a good heart, Cory. I’ll handle the logistics.”

“Thanks, Steven.” I stood, pocketing the letter. “Let’s focus on the insurance claim for now. The rest… It’ll happen when the time’s right.”

As I walked out of the office, my mind swirled as I clutched the letter in my hand. The sun dipped lower in the sky as evening approached. It was surreal how life seemed to take unexpected turns. Grandpa Prescott’s note felt like a piece of a puzzle I didn’t even know I was missing.

Making my way to a small park near the town center I found a place to sit and think. A couple of kids were playing on the swings, their laughter cutting through the late afternoon’s quiet. Finding a bench beneath an old oak tree, I sank down, resting my elbows on my knees and staring at the letter.

Jake. Grandpa knew.

I tried to piece together how he might have found out. Maybe someone in town had mentioned it in passing, or perhaps he’d seen something in one of his rare visits to Beaver Creek. Then it hit me. Had he and Dad discussed Elena’s condition before she left town? Whatever the case, it didn’t change that Grandpa had tried to make amends in his way—late but meaningful.

As much as I wanted to be angry about his timing, I couldn’t. Instead, I felt a strange sense of gratitude. This was an opportunity, a way to show Elena and Jake that my family wasn’t entirely devoid of decency, even if it had taken years to surface.

The envelope weighed heavily in my hands. I didn’t know how I’d present this to Elena, but I knew one thing: it wasn’t going to be today. Jake was my priority now, and I needed to focus on building a connection with him before introducing the complexities of Grandpa’s actions.

The sound of a baseball smacking against a glove broke my thoughts. Across the field, a couple of teenagers were tossing a ball back and forth. It reminded me of Jake, his eager face lighting up whenever he talked about his games. That kid had my stubbornness and Elena’s determination, no doubt about it.

I leaned back against the bench, closing my eyes for a bit. Despite the chaos of the past week—fires, insurance claims, and now this—I felt a strange calm settle over me. Things were starting to align in ways I hadn’t expected, and while the road ahead was murky, I knew I wasn’t alone on it.

After a while, I stood, tucking the letter back into my jacket pocket. There was no use overthinking it now. I’d cross that bridge with Elena when the time was right. For now, I had one more stop to make before heading back to Cedar Cove.

I arrived at my parents’ house just as the streetlights came on. The familiar sight of the cozy ranch-style home brought a wave of nostalgia. My father was out front, pushing the lawnmower toward the garage.

“Hey, Dad,” I called, stepping out of my SUV.

He straightened, giving me a nod. “Cory. Didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

“I was in town handling some business,” I said, walking over. “Thought I’d stop by.”

He gave me a long look, his sharp eyes reading more than I wanted him to. “Business, huh? Or does this have to do with the fire or Elena?”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Both, I guess. Can we talk inside? I want to catch up.”

He grunted, nodding toward the house. “Your mom’s in the kitchen. She’ll be happy to see you.”

Inside, the scent of Mom’s cologne proceeded her before she appeared from around the corner, drying her hands on a kitchen towel. Her face lit up when she saw me. “Cory! You didn’t tell us you were coming.”

“Wanted to surprise you,” I said, leaning in for a hug. Her warmth and familiar presence were a balm I didn’t realize I needed.

We settled in the living room, the three of us catching up on the past few weeks. I kept the conversation light, avoiding the heavier topics of the fire and Grandpa’s letter. Instead, I asked about the hardware store and how things were going in town.

After dinner, as the stars began to dot the night sky, my dad pulled me aside. “You’re not just here for a casual visit, are you?”

I sighed, leaning against the porch railing. “No. I’m figuring some things out. Elena and I are reconnecting, and… I’ve got a son, Dad. His name’s Jake.”

His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t say anything at first. Then sucking in a deep breath, he said, “You’ve got a lot to work through, son. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you. As soon as your mother finds out, I’m sure she will want to meet him.”

I nodded, his words settling over me like a worn comforter. For the first time in years, I felt like I had a purpose—something real to fight for. And no matter how complicated things got, I wasn’t backing down.