Forever Moore (Moore Family Book 1) Read online

  “Martha was out sick today, and well, these are urgent. They contain time-sensitive information that I needed to get passed on to the shops.”

  I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “What is so important?”

  “Well, you can read it yourself. It is right in front of you,” he says, patronizing me like I wasn’t already aware that was an option.

  “Yea, but you are here. Might as well tell me. That way, if necessary, I can ensure you get my complaint.”

  He huffs and puts his hands in his pockets, before looking up at me with a shit-eating grin. “Fine, it is a cease and desist notice, along with a warning to any shops who are using Jackson Harris’s service.”

  “What in the actual fuck, Keith? What bullshit is this?” It takes all of my willpower to not jump across the counter and punch him in his stupid smug face. “It isn’t bad enough that you are refusing to employ Jax, now you are trying to eliminate his personal business on top of it?”

  “Whoa, calm down, Matilda. This is nothing personal. As I have explained to you, he is not qualified for the position you have been trying to force me to—”

  “Don’t you dare talk about force, Keith. You fucking assaulted me with your mouth and told me that if I don’t fuck you Jax couldn’t have the job.” I cannot believe this fucking asshole. What the hell is his fucking issue?

  “No one forced anything. We went out and had a lovely evening. One minute, we are sitting there discussing Jackson’s qualifications. And then, all of a sudden, you were throwing yourself at me. I am guessing you had a little too much to drink at dinner. Because you got so upset when I rejected you that you vomited. I wanted to make sure you were well… but by the time I looked up, you must have run off in embarrassment.” Keith offers his retelling of the evening; and exactly as I had suspected, he would spin the story to make me seem like an incompetent fool. “I know you really wanted to get Jackson that job… But, Matilda, throwing yourself at someone—it is beneath you.”

  “You fucking lying—” Keith holds up his hands.

  “Let’s not play this game, Matilda. We both know you will lose. No one will believe anything you have to say. I promised that you would regret your decision. And, well, I am someone who always keeps his promises.”

  I want to protest, but it is a waste of oxygen. “You know that is not what happened, Keith. But whatever. Why can’t Jax help the shops?” Clearly, he feels no remorse for his actions and has already concocted his story.

  “Well, according to local ordinances all businesses must work with approved and authorized and licensed vendors. Jackson is not licensed for the services he is offering nor is he an approved vendor.” Well, fuck me. Of course, he would go home and dig through the fucking ordinances to find anything to nitpick us about.

  “Well, Jax is my employee. Therefore, taking and posting images on my social media is within the scope of his position.” Ha! Take that, asshat! It doesn’t cover Jax for the other shops but at least I can keep him here with me.

  “He is an official employee? On payroll? Filled out the necessary documentation? I’d hate for you to get into legal trouble, for paying an undocumented employee cash under the table.” He feigns concern for me and my business.

  “It isn’t necessary. He is a volunteer and is not being paid. But we have been discussing creating a permanent paid position for him and will ensure that it is legal, as we always do with any of my other staff.”

  He huffs. “Fine. But ensure he is working within the legal volunteer limits, which is no more than twenty hours per week. If I find he is working more frequently than that, then I will have no choice but to report you. This could cost you your business license, and I would hate to do that to such a keystone in our community.”

  “Sure. Anything else, Keith? I’m about to close up.”

  “That’s all. Have a good evening.” He turns and strolls out of the shop, whistling and clearly pleased with himself.

  I take the notice and quickly shove it into my purse. I need to go home and talk with Jax. He needs to figure something out. We can’t let Keith keep him from doing his freelance work. Granted, I am worried that even if we get him as a licensed business, Keith could still block him as a vendor.

  Gathering my items, I rush to lock up and get home. However, once I do get there, I am surprised to find the house dark and empty. There is no delicious smelling dinner cooking. There is no Jax. There is nothing. I try to give him a call, but it just rings a few times and then goes to his voicemail. Where the hell is he? I’m about to text him when Letty calls.

  I answer quickly. As much as I want to talk with her about this shit, I need to figure out where Jax is and discuss it with him first. “Hey, Letty, can I call you back? I need—”

  She cuts me off. “Let me guess… you are looking for Jax?”

  “Yea, do you know where he is?”

  “Yup. He is sitting in the bar. Unfortunately, he is pretty wasted and I know he is in no condition to drive home. Why don’t you come here and I will get some dinner for you guys? He needs something in his stomach to absorb the shit ton of alcohol he has been drinking.”

  Dammit, did he already hear about this shit with Keith? No, even if he did, this wouldn’t cause him to drink heavily. It has to be something to do with the will reading today. That is the only thing that makes sense. Or maybe, work has called him and he needs to go back? Anyway, I don’t have time to debate this. I just need to get to the bar and make sure that he is okay.

  “Thanks, I’m on my way. Chicken tenders, please.”

  Letty laughs at me. “You are still on a chicken tenders kick? Sure thing, I will get them dropped in the fryer for you.”

  Chapter 26

  Jackson

  To say today hasn’t exactly gone as planned is an understatement. When Robbie mentioned that I was included in the will, well, I couldn’t believe it. Then, I figured it was going to be something small and sentimental. You know, like a t-shirt or a vinyl record? I was absolutely not prepared for what they left me. The second Mr. Reed said it, it was like everything else just faded into the background.

  I feel bad for leaving Tilly alone at the shop, but I just had to get away for a moment and try to clear my head. Unfortunately, that journey led me to Harper’s… and turning to the bottle to help me solve all my problems. I know that this is not the proper solution, but I just needed something to help me think straight. However, that one drink has almost turned into one too many.

  As I sit here and swirl my glass of amber liquid, I cannot stop myself from thinking this whole month has been nothing but a whirlwind. First, the passing of Mr. and Mrs. Moore. Then, seeing Tilly for the first time after so many years, falling in love with her all over again… (and twice as hard) and worrying I’m having a midlife crisis over my career and my desires. And, now, there’s this. At this point, I am wondering what else the world might try to throw at me.

  A light, delicate hand touches my shoulder. I don’t need to turn around to know it is Tilly. I can smell her mango shampoo and body spray. She always smells like a tropical paradise. Fuck, I cannot wait to take her to an actual tropical paradise. “Hey, Jax,” she whispers softly in my ear. Damn her… Not really… It’s just that out of all the shit going on, she is the only thing I am certain about. I want Matilda Moore. I want her in every way possible.

  I turn and try to give her my best smile. Though, I’m aware I am slightly too intoxicated, and looking just as much like a fool. But oh well, she has seen me hammered before—maybe not nearly as emotionally hammered, but hammered nonetheless. “Hey, babe,” I hiccup.

  “I was worried. When I got home, you were not there and you weren’t answering your phone. Is everything okay?” She asks delicately. Damn, I am such an asshole. I told her I would meet her at home and like a dick, I came to the bar and started drinking instead. I’m guessing that Letty called her. And for that reason, I’m not sure if I like or hate her right now… Part of me says like, because Tilly always makes ev
erything better. But the other part says hate, because I really don’t want Tilly to see me this way.

  “I’m sorry. I came here to unwind and lost track of time,” I only slightly slur. While I am drunk, at least I am pretty good at holding my alcohol.

  “What’s going on? After the meeting today, you seemed pretty distraught and now, here you are… drinking at the bar. I’m worried, Jax. Please, let me in,” Tilly begs, holding onto one of my hands. I really didn’t mean to make her worry. I was just caught off-guard.

  “Here ya go.” Letty replaces my whiskey with a coffee and brings me a giant burger, likely in an attempt to get me sober. I notice Tilly has a Sprite and chicken tenders again. Now I feel even more like an ass. She has been so sick from stress and instead of trying to make her life less stressful, I am making it worse by being a whiny bitch.

  I grab her parents’ letter out of my pocket and look down at it again. “You know that when my grandpa died, I was the only remaining family he had left, right?”

  “Yea, that is why mom and dad insisted you come live with us. None of us wanted to see you end up in the system.” That was the best and worst day of my life. I was so terrified I was going to be torn from everyone and everything I knew. But the Moores wouldn’t let that happen, and they “adopted” me. They took me in, raised me as their own, and never treated me any differently.

  “Well, when my grandpa died, all of his properties and possessions became mine. But I was too young to manage them. So as my legal guardians, your parents took control until my eighteenth birthday.” Tilly sits there, listening to me intently; she hasn’t even touched her food yet. “Well, when I turned eighteen, I asked for your parents’ help to sell the house and liquidate any assets so I could use the money for college, travel, and whatever.”

  “Okay, I knew my parents gave you money for college, but I didn’t realize it was really just your own money. But I am guessing that there is more to this story?” Smart cookie.

  “Technically your parents did loan me money for college, but as soon as everything was liquidated, I paid them back.” I felt so proud—eighteen, and I was able to pay the majority of my schooling out of pocket, and pick up the rest with my job. Most kids my age would have blown the money on stupid shit. “They lied to me, Tilly…”

  “I don’t understand, Jax. What did they lie to you about?” Tilly is immediately on red alert. Her parents were genuinely the nicest people in the world. To hear they lied about anything, to even think they would lie about anything, is like hearing a lie in of itself.

  “That property they gave me… it was my grandpa’s.” Recognition shines across her face over what I am trying to say. “Your parents never sold or liquidated anything… Well, not technically. I mean, they did sell it. But not like I thought… They sold it to themselves. They fucking purchased all of it and kept it for me.” Tears well up in my eyes. The fucking Moores… just when you think they can’t do anything else to make you feel like the most important person in the damn world, they say “hold my beer” and prove you wrong.

  “Oh, Jax...” She rubs my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I honestly don’t know what to say.”

  I hand her the letter to read for herself. I am genuinely too emotional to convey it all to her right now. But I still think about their words:

  Dear Jackson,

  I hope this letter finds you well. I am aware that you may be reading this due to unfortunate circumstances. Though, I really hope you are reading it for a joyous one.

  We still remember when you turned eighteen and were ready to go off to college. We wanted to help you just as much as we helped all of our other children. Because, while you may not have been related to us by blood, you were our child nonetheless. But much like your grandfather, you were too stubborn and too proud to accept our help.

  When you begged us to help you liquidate everything, it broke our hearts. We knew how much your grandfather’s home meant to you and your family, and well, we didn’t have the heart to let you get rid of it. At least not at eighteen and when you were so desperate to make your own way. So, we decided to invest the money we wanted to give you for college, plus some other funds we had set aside, to purchase the home for you. That way, you still got the money you wanted, but the home could still be there when you were ready. Because one day, when you are older and ready to settle down and raise your own family, you will wish you had this home.

  This home, as you are well aware, was built by your great-great grandfather. And from then on, it was continuously built upon by each son who inherited it thereafter. Knowing your grandfather, he would have wanted you to continue this tradition; and knowing you as we do, when you are ready, you too will want to do the same.

  We apologize for deceiving you, but please do not worry about the personal money we invested. We know you would have never wanted to owe us anything. After we purchased the property, we decided to rent it out. This way, someone would live there to help keep everything up and running. Anyway, we used the initial rental income to pay back the money we invested. And then, the rest of the rental income has been deposited into a savings account for you. The details of the account are enclosed in this letter, along with the current lease.

  Now that you are older and more mature, the decision is yours as to what you want to do with the home. You can continue to use it as a rental property and collect income. Or if you honestly do not think you will ever return to Tral Lake, then it is yours to sell. Or if you are ready to settle down (hopefully with Tilly, hint-hint) it is ready for you.

  Just remember we love you, Jax, and we never thought of you as anything less than our own son. That being said, as our son, we will love and support whatever decision you make.

  Love,

  Mom and Dad

  I look over to Tilly, who is sobbing as she is reading the letter. Although I am sure the contents have her tearing up, seeing the words of her parents may just as likely be the culprit. Unfortunately, none of the Moore siblings received any sort of letter. But given their parents were young and in good health, they probably didn’t think they needed to write one. Looking at the date, it appears they wrote it a few months after I left for the travel magazine. And (I can only assume) it was after one of the many phone calls I had with them, crying about how much I missed home and loved Tilly. I wonder if they were just waiting for me to come home, before finally giving it to me? As if knowing that the moment that I did, I would never want to leave. Consequently, if that was their thought, they were correct. I already knew I wanted Tilly. But now, knowing that I have the option of marrying Tilly and raising our family in my family home, it just seems almost too perfect.

  When I first came home, I drove out to my grandpa’s place. There was no way I could not check in on it. I remember feeling sad seeing a family of five playing in the yard. The dad was pushing his son in the old tire swing mine had hung up for me. Looking at them, I almost felt as though I was transported back in time, and that man was my dad pushing me. While it made me sad to see a new family in our home, I was also happy to see it in good condition and filled with love.

  In the lease, I notice that the Moores were gracious. Because my grandpa’s house had long since been paid off (well, the land was paid off… the house itself was built by hand) there was no mortgage to cover, just property taxes and upkeep. The home is a large stone farmhouse with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, situated on five acres of land. There is a heated three-car garage (because this is Minnesota and winters get cold) and a giant pole barn. Not to mention, a pond is situated on the property as well, along with an established personal farm with produce and chickens. They could have charged, even in this small town, two grand a month. But no, not the Moores. They only asked for fifteen hundred a month, and that was with all utilities included. So, the profit that went into savings was not a lot. After a decade, there was only around a hundred thousand in the account.

  “Wow,” Tilly comments. I assume she has finished reading the letter. “This is
crazy. I’m not sure what to say. Are you okay?”

  “Yea, I couldn’t believe it. I think I’m still in shock to be honest. When I first came here and saw a family living there, I was a little heartbroken and regretted my choice. But now, knowing your parents did this… Well, it is just so unbelievable.”

  “You are happy?” she asks cautiously.

  “Yes and no. I am happy that something I thought I lost—because I was young and desperate—is not gone for good. Finding out I didn’t truly lose it… it is nice. But now, I am not sure what I want to do with it. I read the current lease. It is up in six months, so I have four months to decide what to do. As much as I want to say I will come home and take over the house, seeing how happy that family is there… Well, I don’t want to kick them out. Especially since it is such a big home. It is meant for a family. I would feel selfish living there by myself.”

  I look over. For a brief moment, I see a hurt expression on Tilly’s face. “Shit. I’m sorry, Tilly. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just it is a lot to think about, and I am still trying to find work here. I know right now money isn’t that much of a concern. But it isn’t like this is ‘never have to work again’ money. It can help me do a lot of things, but I will still need work.” Dammit, she looks hurt. I am drunk and I am fucking this up—I know it. “Besides, let’s say I find work and I stay. Would you really want to leave your family home to come live in mine? It is not fair for me to assume that of you.”

  “I guess you are right. It is a lot to think about. Because I am not sure what I would want either.”

  Chapter 27

  Matilda

  Last night was difficult. I felt heartbroken for Jax. There is so much on his plate right now, and all I can really do is be there to support him. I can’t… No, I won’t make his choices for him. I am not sure what that means for our relationship. But I do know that whatever becomes of us, it will be for the best. At first, when I read that letter and saw what my parents had hinted at (they were hoping he would raise his family there and ideally with me) I was so excited. I could already picture him and me in that big home, raising our family. I know when I settle down, I definitely want three (maybe four) children. Growing up in a big family with my siblings has been wonderful, especially now; having that bond is priceless.