Page 113 of Against The Tide

“You must explain why, Sean,” Nora tells him, getting up to stand beside Avery.

I’m a little stunned for her, but the way she relaxes into her seat, her shoulders sagging with a long exhale, suggests that she’s relieved.

“I understand why,” she finally says. “He was protecting our home. It’s in the letter—not in so many words, but it makes sense.”

“Good, because it was the best thing to do given you’ve filed for divorce. It means the properties won’t be part of the settlement.”

“He always did say that the upstairs was for thinking.” Nora taps her temple before pointing down at her feet and chuckling. “And the downstairs was for dancing.”

“Too true.” Sean winks at Avery, nodding as if to ask if she’s okay to continue.

When she nods in return, he reads the rest of the will which leaves the residuary estate to her with the exception of her mother’s jewelry, which he bequests to Nora. It seems like an odd thing to do, but I can only trust that there is more to it just as the property.

“Finally, the most beautiful gift I can give my daughter, Avery Olivia Henderson, is freedom.”

Avery smiles for the first time since I entered the room, her gorgeous sunshine smile that lights up my whole universe, and in spite of everything, that’s the only thing that matters. She’s happy. And it makes the weight in my chest lighten, and the tightness loosen.

“Well, there’s only one thing to do now.” Nora walks to the drinks cart and brings four tumblers over. “We better toast Robert with this disaster.”

“Indeed.” Sean stands, picking up a sealed file from the table and extending it to Avery. “Freedom.”

“What’s in it?”

“I don’t know. It was sealed when he left it in my possession, and as you can see, it’s not addressed to me. You are the only one he left freedom to.”

Confusion flits over her face before she stands and takes the file from him. Weighing it in her hands, she turns to me with a shrug. “Maybe we can open it later? Together?”

“Anything you want, sweetheart.”

Every cell of my being warms as she burrows into me, her hands wrapping around my waist as she tells me, “I almost feel like I can breathe again. I was so scared that after this I would have to part with all those things my father worked so hard for. That he loved. I thought that I was going to let him down by having to give half of it away, but…”

It dawns on me then that it wasn’t the material possessions Robert was saving, it was her happiness. Although I never had the chance to meet him, I can’t help but love the man for the way he looked out for her to the very end. In a way he brought her to me, and I cannot be grateful enough for it. And with this, I know that whatever happens, I need to spare her the knowledge of the reality of his death.

CHAPTER 31

AVERY

The waiter walks past with another tray of smoked trout hors d’oeuvres. Holding it out to me, he offers me a small navy napkin embossed with the Capitol dome and the club’s initials scrolled below it. I don’t know how anyone eats something that smells so awful. The strong smoked fish smell lingers as the waiter walks away.

“Drink?” Callie asks as we swerve a small crowd of DC’s finest people.

“We’re not doing this again,” Rowan groans, taking the flute she picks off a passing tray and putting it on another closer to him.

“Don’t be an asshole!” With annoyance painting her face, she grabs another. The waiter looks between her and Rowan, unsure of whether it’s safe to come closer when Callie crooks her finger at him with a stubborn glint in her eyes. “Keep ’em coming.”

Although I don’t typically drink, I take the flute she hands me with the soft pink bubbly, cradling it in my hand as I hold on tighter to Rhett’s arm. People have been staring our way since we arrived. Their judging glances and accusing smiles have me on edge, enough that just looking at the trays of food floating around and the floral scent from the hanging arrangements mixed with the expensive perfumes has my stomach gurgling. The sip of the wine I had back at the house is still burning in my belly. Its acidic taste and dryness linger on my tongue.

“Want some water?” Rhett asks, pressing his lips to my temple. “Fresh air?”

“Please,” I whisper in return, nuzzling closer to him just as Nora steps into our circle.

“Come on, kids, smile and mingle.”

Callie rolls her eyes, finishing off her glass of champagne before handing it to Rowan and making a point of plucking another from the passing waiter.

“Let’s go,” he sighs with exasperation as he spins her toward where Rafe is surrounded by another small group of people.

If Dad were still here, he would’ve been standing by, close enough to listen to the conversation and rescue him from the awkward, leading questions. Instead, Mike is all the way across the room, talking to a man I’ve never seen in my life. Their conversation is heated enough that when our stares meet, it takes him a while to shake the annoyance off his face and reciprocate my smile.