Page 13 of Sacked
I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket. A smile curled my lips at the sight of Vee’s name on a text message.
* * *
“I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF TODAY. I’M HEADED HOME. WHAT DELICIOUS MEAL DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?”
* * *
“Dinner reservations,” I whispered.
Chapter 6
Vee
* * *
My drive home was lost to a myriad of thoughts. The familiar sights and landmarks passed by unrecognized. Dad’s demise unveiled a world I didn’t know existed and one, I wasn’t certain how to navigate. While Aunt Rachel’s acceptance of the CEO position relieved a bit of the pressure, the bulk of the stress was still present.
I worried about my aunt. Uncle Darin and Grant were obviously upset with my decision. Would Uncle Darin act out his in private? Aunt Rachel willingly took the helm. The consequences were hers to deal with. With each mile, my faith in her grew. Rachel Hubbard Marsh was capable of not only the responsibilities of CEO, but also of dealing with her husband and son.
Dad had faith in her. I did too.
Another person was taking too much time in my thoughts.
Olivia Stockard Hubbard—the woman who gave me life. Even thinking her name twisted something deep in my chest. I’d been capable of compartmentalizing her out of my life as long as Dad was here. He filled every gap and stepped up whenever I needed him.
Now he was gone.
The story I’d been told through the years—in bits and pieces—was that my mother left. Now I wondered what exactly that meant.
Is she out there somewhere?
Do I care?
After all, she left me.
“Call Joseph Eads,” I said to my rental car.
“Calling Joseph Eads.”
“Vee, what a pleasant surprise,” Joe’s voice came through the car speakers. “What can I do for you?”
He sounded artificially sweet after my ambush of personal legal representation. “I have a few questions. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Is Ms. Loften with you?”
“No,” I replied. “This isn’t about Dad’s estate, per se. You said you’ve represented Dad for a long time. What do you know about my mother?”
“Oh.” He made coughing noises. “I didn’t represent your father at the time of his divorce. I came on after, when you were just a child.”
“Do you know who represented him…and her?”
He hesitated. “I can look that up for you. This wasn’t a subject Reid enjoyed.”
“Divorce records are public, are they not?”
“Yes. I’d need to learn the date of the divorce,” Joe answered. “Ms. Loften can no doubt get you the same information.”
“Joe, who did Dad want ten percent of the Coopers to go to?”
