“The trustee is supposed to always be a part of Dickerson, Barton, and Booth.”

“No.” Emmersyn shook her head. “That can’t be right. Bob had always protected me. He would have known about that. He wrote everything.”

John nodded. “He did. I’m not sure why he would have allowed the trust to be violated. Maybe he didn’t trust the partner who was taking over his accounts, maybe he trusted you and this… Lincoln Powers.” He glanced down for the name and back up. “But regardless. This actually makes the position you’re currently in pretty easy. You’ll need Mr. Hayes to sign over the trust, but if he doesn’t, you can absolutely sue the firm and take him to court. If they fight it, they’re looking at a pretty substantial lawsuit on their hands.”

He grinned and clasped his hands on the desk in front of him. “I’m not sure how it happened. Perhaps Mr. Dickerson simply forgot and knew you so well he didn’t feel the need to review the trust before you approached him for a new trustee. It could be that simple, but irrespective of how the error occurred, if the trust isn’t placed back in the original firm, Mr. Hayes can be sued, and I am one hundred percent betting on the fact that Mr. Elias Powers isn’t going to want that made public any more than he’s wanted news of your wedding made public.”

Emmersyn bit her lip. “Right.”

He glanced at both of us and I saw that look in his eye, that knowing look that said he knew exactly why we’d gotten married. I kept my mouth shut about it. He’d seen me after Ava left. He’d known me for years.

But things were changing too. Because I couldn’t stop thinking about Emmersyn and right then, thinking of Ava didn’t create that burning hole in my chest like it always did.

“It’s that easy?” I asked, because finally, something seemed to be going right for her. And usually if it sounded too good to be true, it usually was.

“I wouldn’t say easy. I’d suggest you call Dickerson’s office, talk to his partner or someone else there, explain the situation and ask them to review the documents. I’m certain they’d still have them. Or if you’d prefer, I’m happy to handle it for you. They’ll need to file for a trust return and everyone will need to sign documents, but yes, assuming we can get in contact with Mr. Hayes, this issue should be rectified rather quickly.”

“Wow,” Emmersyn sighed. Her smile wobbled as she glanced at John and me. Her hand trembled in mine. “I didn’t know I didn’t… how could I have been so stupid? Or Bob? I mean…”

“Like I said, there are lots of reasons why this happened. I wouldn’t beat yourself up over it, and I’m assuming you had your own reasons for trusting your ex-fiancé which you’ve learned are no longer valid. We all make mistakes, Miss Houghton.” He shrugged and raised his hands, palms up. “Even the best lawyers.”