“I . . . I don’t know. I just assumed she hired people to do it. I’m trying to make sense of it.” She wanted to believe her mischievous son had grown up into a good man, despite the lack of decent male role models in his life. She’d picked poorly when it came to the men in her life. And she feared Sean had learned the wrong lessons, and Bridget had learned to walk away when things got tough.

Margaret stood from her chair. It took a little extra effort these days, but she managed. She made her way around to the other side of the desk and sorted through the papers. A handwritten letter from Sarah, financial statements marked with the Spencer Software logo, and a bank statement that stunned her. She slowly sank into the chair behind her. “This can’t be. She couldn’t have turned three hundred and something dollars into this. It’s not possible.”

“How much is in the account?” Bridget asked, coming around the desk to look for herself.

Margaret had never told her about the envelopes. She held up the statement. “One million six hundred forty-two thousand eight hundred seventy-two dollars and fifty-seven cents.” Margaret put her hand to her open mouth, disbelieving what she saw and admitted out loud, “I had no idea. For two years she’s been sending me these envelopes, and I never opened them. I was too angry. I thought she just wanted to shove it in my face that the company was thriving while Sean missed it all. I never dreamed she sent me money.”

“Just you?” Bridget asked.

Luke moved closer. “Seriously? You think you deserve a piece of what she built? It goes to her character and how much heart she has that she did anything for Margaret.”

Bridget wound up, but Margaret cut her off before she spoke. “He’s right. Sean left her with two little boys and not much else. She didn’t have to protect his name and do this for me.” Margaret thought about it and understood what Sarah intended. “She knows I’m always here to support you, Bridget. I’m sure she meant for me to help you with this money, just like I’ve done in the past.”

Bridget picked up the statement and stared at it. “This changes everything. I could stay home with Sophia. We could move into a nicer place. She can go to college.”

Margaret pressed her lips tight, not liking that Bridget wanted to do what Sean had done, live off the money Sarah made and not work for what she wanted. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, dear. I’ve given you all I have up to now and I need to dig myself out of the hole I’ve put myself in.”

“Yes, but . . .” Bridget pointed to the statement. “This is a lot of money.”

“It is. And it’s thanks to Sarah that our financial future is sound. So long as I spend wisely.”

Luke jumped in. “In other words, Bridget, that money isn’t your ticket to easy street and living off your mom the way Sean lived off Sarah’s hard work.”