An Awkward Inheritance

By A. K. Gentry

Allie Mitchell owns half of the Mitchell Farm. Her uncle, Lee Mitchell, owns the other half. Life is pleasant and predictable for Allie until her uncle dies suddenly. Grief turns to dismay and anger when she finds out that Lee left half of his share of the farm to his wife's nephew, Jacob Stone, who is a complete stranger to Allie. To make matters worse, Jacob is required to live on the farm for one year before he can sell his share to Allie.

Awkward does not accurately describe how Jacob and Allie feel about their situation. Also, no one knew Jacob was bringing his six-year-old siblings, Mandy and Michael. Allie and Jacob find themselves in a whirlwind of tensions, misunderstandings, humor, friendship, and the possibility of romance. They must also overcome speculation and gossip in the small town of Whitlow and the interference of others who want to cause disharmony in their already uncomfortable situation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887511580

Book preview

cover.jpg

An Awkward Inheritance

A. K. Gentry

ISBN 979-8-88751-157-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-158-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by A. K. Gentry

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter 1

Lee Mitchell, age fifty-three, tall, slim, with dark hair that was just starting to turn gray, called his friend, Richard Hayes. Rich, are you free for lunch?

Sure. Candy's Café? Noon? Rich asked.

Sounds good, Lee replied.

Is everything all right? Rich asked. You sound distracted.

Nothing's wrong. I just need some advice from a friend.

Okay. See you there, Rich said.

Thanks, Lee told his friend with a hint of gratefulness in is voice.

Lee entered the café just before the noon lunch rush to take the booth farthest from the front. He stood and waved his friend over when Rich walked into the restaurant. Richard Hayes was of average height and had a receding hairline of blond hair.

Hey, Rich, Lee said. Thanks for coming.

Hey, no problem. Is there a reason for the most remote booth in the place? Rich asked.

Lee and Rich gave their orders to the waitress then Lee answered, Yeah. I really don't want anyone to hear our conversation.

Sounds serious, Rich said, frowning slightly.

It could be. Do you remember Helen Chester? Lee asked.

Of course, Rich answered. She was Maddie's twin sister. How could I forget her?

Sorry, Lee said apologetically. So much time has passed I forgot how much she meant to you. Did you know she had a son?

Yeah. He was with Helen the last time she came to visit Maddie, and we all got together at your house. How old would he be now? Rich asked.

Around twenty-five, I think, Lee replied. His name is Jacob Stone. He has been on my mind a lot lately.

In what way? Rich asked.

The men paused their conversation when the waitress brought their food. Then Lee continued, We only saw him a couple of times before Helen moved to Germany with Randy. Helen died about five years before Maddie. Both girls had the same type of cancer. The boy was about twelve or thirteen, I think. Maddie lost track of him after her sister died. Any card she sent to Helen's last address was returned with address unknown.

Randy Stone, Rich said. I remember him. He lived across the hall from us at NC State. I still hate the day we introduced him to Helen and Maddie. Helen fell for him faster than a snake on a rabbit. But then Helen always did like the exciting bad boys. I was too boring for her.

I know, agreed Lee. "Maddie begged her not to marry him, but Helen would not listen. When Randy graduated and joined the army, Helen dropped out of school to marry him. They bounced around army bases in the US until Jacob was about five, then Randy was stationed in Germany for the next eight years. When he found out Helen was sick, he did not reenlist. We didn't know Helen had died until Maddie got a note in the mail from Randy. She was both angry and distraught. Helen had told her about the cancer, but she had not told her how bad it truly was.

Rich, Lee continued, I don't know why that boy has suddenly been on my mind, but he has. I don't know the kid, don't know what he looks like or anything about him, but he has been on my mind every day for the past month. You know Maddie and I never had kids. Allie has been our daughter since my brother, Frank, and his wife Alice died in that accident. Frank left her his half of the farm, but I think I need to leave my share to both Allie and Jacob. That's what has been on my heart for a couple of weeks now. Lee stopped talking and just looked at Rich waiting for his opinion.

Lee, are you sure? Rich asked. You don't know this kid. Allie doesn't know this kid. He has not been in your life, and you do not owe him anything. You and I both know Allie expects to inherit your share of the farm.

I know, Lee said with exasperation. That is what makes me sad. I don't want to disappoint her. She is the daughter that Maddie and I could not have ourselves. But, somehow, I know Maddie would agree with me. She loved Helen, and she loved Jacob even though she didn't know him. So as my lawyer, what do you think?

Rich looked thoughtfully at his friend then said, Lee, this has so many problems. What if you die and Jacob Stone cannot be found? What does Allie do with only three-fourths of a farm? How do you propose she handle that? She does not own all of it, but she will have to pay all the taxes. Does she have to set aside a fourth of the profits for an unknown heir?

Lee replied, We can make provisions for that in the will. Rich, I have not thought of this boy since Maddie died, and I didn't think of him often before then, either. The only reason I have for his suddenly being on my mind is that God has placed him on my heart. I don't know why. I almost wish he hadn't, because it would be a lot easier and less hurtful to Allie. I've talked with Pastor Ken about it. He says that God can speak to us this way and in other ways too. Pastor Ken told me to not act rashly, to think and pray about it, and to give myself enough time to be sure.

I agree, Rich said. Give yourself time. Please don't rush into this decision.

All right, Lee said. But will you do this for me? Will you put together a scenario that could be placed in a will that would give a time frame for Jacob to be found or the whole farm goes to Allie? Also, she gets all the profits until Jacob is found. Finally, I want it stipulated that Jacob is required to live there one year before he can obtain his full share, and he can only sell it to Allie. Can that be done?

I can do that, but I want you to wait at least another month before making the final decision, Rich said.

I was going to do that anyway. I don't want to make a mistake. I want to be absolutely sure that I am right in doing this, Lee replied.

What are you going to tell Allie? Rich asked.

Nothing yet, Lee said. I will make my decision first. There's no point in upsetting her until it's all done.

The two men changed the subject as they ate their lunch and fell back into the easy conversation of lifelong friends.

Chapter 2

Allie Mitchell pulled her brunette curls into a ponytail then pulled it through the back of her ball cap. She applied sunscreen to her face, arms, and hands; put the sunglasses over her blue eyes; and picked up her work gloves. She was tall, slim, and moved with the easy grace of an athlete. She had been awarded an athletic scholarship to a small liberal arts college but had turned it down to attend NC State University. With a bachelor's degree in crop science and a minor in animal science, Allie had returned to the farm of three hundred acres outside Whitlow.

Walking past the old barn, Allie smiled and thought about the generations before her who had kept horses and mules in it as well as milked enough cows to keep the family in milk, cream, and butter. Allie was the fourth generation of Mitchells to own and farm this land. Well, she thought, own half of it. Her Uncle Lee owned the other half.

Allie's destination was the equipment garage. She was going to be on the tractor all day cutting hay. The spring planting was finished, and green shoots of corn were showing above the fields of dark brown soil that had an occasional streak of red clay. The winter wheat had developed its head of seed pods and would soon be turning gold and ready to harvest. Allie stopped as Lee Mitchell slowed his truck and rolled down his window.

I have an errand in town. Are you cutting hay today? he asked.

Yes, Allie answered. I'll be cutting the grass strips between fields today. I moved the cows to the upper pasture a few weeks ago. If I have time, I will cut the hay in the lower pasture. Regardless, I will be in around four to shower and start dinner.

I can cook too, you know, Lee said, trying to sound insulted but not quite accomplishing it. But I understand. It's a hobby for you. Maybe you should have gone to culinary school.

Allie shook her head. No way. Then it wouldn't be fun. I will see you later in the day. Allie waved and continued her walk to the garage. She opened the bays, climbed into the cab of the tractor, turned on the motor and the radio, then drove through the farm roads to the grass strips they had planted to prevent erosion. Allie was content. Mowing the grass to begin drying was as easy as driving a car, just safer. This was when she did her best thinking and planning. Halfway through the process, Allie decided it was time to discuss adding a new bull to the herd of Black Angus beef cattle.

* * * * *

It was two months after Lee had talked with Rich at the café. Lee Mitchell now sat in Rich Hayes's office. Rich handed him the final draft of the updated will. Lee read through it completely, waited two minutes, then signed it.

Rich looked at his friend. You don't seem relieved or happy.

I'm not, Lee said. Do I think this is what I am supposed to do? Yes. Do I hate disappointing Allie? Yes. I am full of conflicting feelings.

I am going to keep a copy of the old will, Lee said. If you change your mind and want to go back to it, all I need to do is write a codicil and it is legal.

Thanks. I will remember that. Rich, is everything else in order? asked Lee.

Yes, Rich replied. Allie is your durable power of attorney and health care power of attorney. Your farm is debt-free, and your financial accounts are all set to bypass the will and go to Allie. Now are you going to finally tell me why you are so insistent on having your affairs in order?

Lee gave a big sigh then said, I need heart surgery, Rich. I am trusting God and the doctors that I will be okay, but you never know. They are supposed to call me with the date today or tomorrow. Allie knows the surgery is pending and is trying to be positive, but I can tell she is worried.

Have you told her about Jacob? Rich asked.

Not yet. Now that it is official, I will tell her tonight after dinner, Lee told him.

Good, Rich stated. Let me know when the surgery is. I will sit with her at the hospital.

Thanks, Rich. I appreciate that. You're a good friend.

As are you, Lee. Don't borrow trouble, Rich advised. This will be routine, and you will be back to normal after cardiac rehab.

That's what the doc says, Lee replied with a weak smile.

Lee came out of Rich's office satisfied with his decision to add Jacob to his will but somewhat stressed at having to talk with Allie about it. He loved that girl with every ounce of his being, and the last thing he wanted to do was to hurt her. After he talked with Allie, he was going to have Rich try to find Jacob. Maybe he could talk the boy into moving to Whitlow and getting to know Allie; after all, they were connected by marriage, Allie's uncle, Jacob's aunt.

After parking beside Allie's SUV, Lee got out of his truck and walked to the front porch. It was not a hot day, but he wiped the sweat from his forehead and decided to sit in a rocking chair on the porch for a while. Nausea had started, but he thought it was a combination of a late lunch and nervousness from having to talk with Allie.

Lee watched Allie drive the tractor back into the garage and then walk toward the house. He smiled at her as she sat in the chair beside him.

Did you get everything done in town that you wanted to accomplish? she asked.

Yes, Lee replied.

Uncle Lee, are you all right? You're very pale, and you are sweating.

I think it's just the combination of a late lunch and nerves over the surgery, Lee replied. They have it scheduled a week from today.

That will give me time to get the hay baled and stored. Uncle Lee, are you sure you are all right? Allie asked again.

Lee felt a tightness in his chest that began to grow uncomfortable. Allie, I think you had better call the emergency services. This may be a heart attack.

After pulling her phone from her pocket, Allie punched in the emergency 911 code. When the dispatcher answered, she reported a possible heart attack, gave the address, and stayed on the line until the ambulance arrived. The emergency medical technicians helped Lee onto a stretcher, started an IV, and left the house. At the end of the driveway, the lights and sirens started, and they drove toward Winston-Salem. Lee had told them which hospital his cardiologist was at, and Allie knew where to go.

Allie quickly changed her clothes, found the health care power of attorney for Lee, grabbed her purse, drove her SUV down the driveway, and turned toward the city. On her way to Winston-Salem, Allie called Rich Hayes to let him know what had happened. When she arrived at the parking lot for the emergency department, Allie saw the ambulance at the entrance. Allie ran into the hospital through the emergency entrance doors and approached the desk.

Can I help you? the administrative assistant said.

My name is Allie Mitchell. My uncle, Lee Mitchell, was just brought in with a possible heart attack. Do you have any information about him? Can I see him?

Let me look. The young lady typed Lee's name into the computer.

It looks like he has been admitted but is still back in the cardiac section of the emergency department. His doctor is listed as Dr. Michaels.

He is Uncle Lee's cardiologist. Uncle Lee is to have surgery next week, Allie said.

According to this, Dr. Michaels is on call, so he will be the one to see Mr. Mitchell. There is no information yet, but if you will have a seat in the waiting room, I am sure one of the nurses will be out to keep you informed. If you have not heard from anyone in about thirty minutes, come back and I will see what is listed in the computer.

Thank you. Allie bought a soda from the vending machine and sat down to wait. She was just about to go back to the desk when Rich walked through the door to the waiting room. Allie stood and gave him a hug. Thank you for coming, Uncle Rich.

Do you know anything? he asked.

Not yet, she replied. I was just getting ready to ask at the desk again.

I'll go with you. The two were approaching the desk when a nurse called for the Mitchell family.

That's us, Allie said.

The nurse looked at the two and said, "Mr. Mitchell is being admitted to