Passion in James County XIV: A Week In The Mountains
Chapter thirty
Frankie and Kay had to remain in Jamestown for a week after the funeral because the Bobar family lawyer wanted to meet with them to review the will and go over other legal issues related to the death of the young man's parents.
Kay was in the kitchen making breakfast when Frankie came downstairs the morning of their appointment with the lawyer. He was dressed in the same three-piece charcoal gray suit he'd worn to the funeral.
Kay smiled when she saw him. The first time she'd seen him dressed up was at the funeral and at the time she thought he looked very mature and very handsome. Because of the circumstances, she didn't say anything then, but she did now. "My goodness, Frankie," she commented, "I didn't tell you the day of the funeral, but you look very handsome in that suit. You look like a prosperous young businessman."
"Ah...thanks," Frankie replied, blushing. "You look pretty terrific, too."
Kay was wearing a calf-length button-front dress with a navy and white vine print, with a ribbed spandex bodysuit under it. The dress fit her slender form loosely, but didn't hide her lovely figure. "Thank you, Frankie," she said.
An hour later, they were sitting in the lawyer's office, listening to the man explain the terms of the will. Frankie, as the sole heir, would inherit his parent's entire estate.
"I don't know if you are aware of it, Benjamin, but you are a relatively wealthy young man," the attorney told him. "The cumulative value of the estate-and these are just rough figures-totals well in excess of a million dollars. That's without taking into consideration your father's majority interest in his business. If you'd like to sell that interest, his partners are willing to purchase it. They've tendered what I feel is a very reasonable offer. In addition there are a number of real estate holdings in your both of your parents' names. And any settlement you receive from the company that insured the truck will be added to that figure as well. Believe me, you can count on a large settlement. I would estimate that, conservatively, the total value of the estate could very well wind up somewhere in the neighborhood of five million dollars by the time everything is taken care of. Of course, you will be issued a final financial report that will detail all of this to the last cent. Even after the inheritance taxes are paid, you'll have a substantial sum."
Frankie was shocked by the amount of money the lawyer said he would have, but it didn't really matter. He would much rather have been being poor with living parents.
"Even though you are legally an adult, the fact that Mrs. Tobin is willing to act as your advisor is, I think, a plus in this situation," the lawyer said. "I think having an adult helping you with your affairs will prove to be a help." The lawyer leaned back in his chair. "Benjamin, I called the bank and arranged for the bulk of the funds to be placed in a trust fund which will provide an allowance for you," he said. I also took the liberty of contacting the college you're attending to assure them that your tuition will be paid, so that's not a problem. Remember, your father and I were good friends. I'll be here should you need me. Just call me if you need anything."
"I will," Frankie said. "Thanks for everything you've done already."
The lawyer stood up and shook hands with both Kay and Frankie. "Feel free to contact me if either of you have any problems," he said.
After they finished with the lawyer, Frankie and Kay got in the car, which they had already packed, and headed back to the mountains. They had talked about where they'd live and they both decided they would rather live at the lake. Coping with the aftermath of the tragedy that had befallen them seemed to be much harder in Jamestown and both of them felt that, given the changes that had taken place in their lives, they would make the lake their home from that point on.
As they drove toward the lake, Kay put her hand on Frankie's thigh and began stroking it softly. "How are you doing?" she asked softly. "Now that...that the funeral is over and everything is settled."
"Ah...OK, I guess," Frankie replied. "It still seems kind of unreal, you know? I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and find out it's all been a bad dream, but..." He shrugged.
"It feels like that for me, too, darling," Kay said. "Do you think you're going to miss living in Jamestown?"
Frankie shook his head. "Not really," he said. "You know, it's funny. I spent a lot more time at our house in Jamestown than I did at the lake, but the lake has always felt more like home to me."
"It is a special place," Kay noted. "I think I understand why you feel that way."
Frankie continue to drive and Kay continued to stroke his leg. He felt his body responding to her gentle caresses, looked over at her, and smiled gently. "You know, it's...ah...good this car has an automatic transmission," he said hoarsely.
"Oh?" Kay asked, not quite sure what the young man was getting at. "Why is that, Frankie?"
"Slide your hand up a little higher and you'll see why," the young man told her.
Kay did, then blushed. "I...I see what you mean," she murmured. She continued her caresses.
Frankie turned into the driveway of his parents cabin and shut the car off. He leaned over to kiss Kay, but she put her hand on his chest and stopped him. "Why don't we get the things we'll need and go up to my place?" she said. "Once we get settled we..." She smiled.
"Ah, yeah, OK," Frankie said. He got out of the car, walked around to the other side, and opened the door for Kay.
"I'm going to have to get used to having a gentleman around," she commented as she slid out of the car. "I like it, I think."
"I like taking care of you," Frankie said. He kissed her on the cheek. "I plan to keep doing it for the rest of our lives."
"That's really sweet, darling," Kay said. She took the young man's hand and they walked to the cabin.
When they were inside the cabin, they stood in the kitchen of the cabin, looking around.
"I think, maybe, I'll sell this place," Frankie said. "If I'm going to be living with you, I won't need it and, even though there are nice memories here, there are some bad ones, too. You think, maybe, Mr. and Mrs. Ervins would want to buy it?"