“I hope he made it in time to see Marjorie,” Ruby said.

“He just asked me where Peanut’s office is,” Rachel said.

“I don’t know if Peanut will be in the office or not, since it’s a holiday. I guess time will tell how this all plays out,” Ruby said. “In the meantime, just giving you a heads-up about a family dinner at church in the near future.”

“Noted,” Rachel said. “I’ve got to make some more waffles. I’ll talk to you later.”

“And I have more people to call,” Ruby said. “I’ll be in touch.”

* * *

Hunt ate his fill of eggs, biscuits, and gravy, then went back for waffles. He was making up for having gone so long without real food and had no idea what the day would bring, so eating what was in front of him seemed like a good idea.

He’d reserved the room here for at least a couple of nights, until he had a chance to check out his mother’s house. If it was habitable enough to stay in while he repaired it, he’d stay there. Once it was fixed, it would be up to him to see to the auction and pay outstanding bills.

When he’d received her letter, Hunt had been shocked to find out his mother had named him the executor of her estate. Even though they’d stayed in touch, she never mentioned his brothers and sisters, and with good reason. She knew he wouldn’t care. By the time the letter caught up with him, the postmark was almost two weeks old, and the date on the letter she’d written was a month before that. When she confessed her days were numbered, he panicked and called her, but never got an answer. The thought that she would die without knowing he would do what she’d asked had sent him on a wild sixteen-hour ride from Houston to Blessings. He knew now she’d been waiting for him to come. She’d trusted him enough to wait. Now it was up to him to do the job.

Chapter 2

Hunt went back up to his room after breakfast. He had the lawyer’s number in his mother’s letter. He didn’t think anyone would be at work today, but he sent a text anyway, just in case.

It wasn’t long before he got a response.

I’ll be in the office until noon. You’re welcome to drop in at any time.

Hunt returned the text.

I’ll be there soon. Thank you.

At that point, he put on his jacket, grabbed his helmet, and left the B and B. He knew his brothers and sisters were going to be pissed that she’d given the control of her estate to him, but he didn’t care. They’d betrayed him years ago. He owed them nothing, and certainly not respect.