Page 39 of Last Wish Wedding

Kelsey thought about their coffee date tomorrow, about his grandfather’s birthday party. “Maybe.”

“Maybe? Girl, you’re grinning from ear to ear.”

“It’s complicated, Amy. He’s… he’s not staying around. After his grandfather dies, he’s leaving. He’s made that very clear.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

Kelsey looked out the window toward the water. “For now? Yeah, I think I am.”

“So…” Amy tucked her legs under her on the couch and changed the subject. “Have you heard anything about the custody situation?”

Kelsey’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup. “I’m calling my attorney today.”

“Good.”

“I know.” Kelsey set her cup down. “I keep thinking about that will, Amy.”

Tears welled in her eyes as the idea of losing Noah surfaced. The tight control she had on her emotions boiled over. When Amy embraced her, she let her tears fall. “Everything will be all right, Kel. You’ve got this.”

After Amy left, Kelsey dialed her attorney’s number and paced the living room as it rang.

“Sandra Mitchell.”

“Sandra, it’s Kelsey Prescott.”

“I was going to call you today, Kelsey.”

Something in Sandra’s tone made Kelsey’s stomach drop. She sank onto the couch.

“What’s wrong?”

“I received a courtesy call from Margaret Prescott’s attorneys this morning. They’re preparing to file additional evidence in the custody case—I don’t know what yet, but they’re making a move.”

Kelsey’s throat tightened. “But Noah’s spending more time with them. He’s with them this week on spring vacation. You thought that was going to appease them.”

“Apparently they’re not looking for any conciliation. I’m sorry.”

“I should tell you, I was recently informed that Noah is to inherit what was my husband’s inheritance when he turns twenty-one. It’s a sum of roughly half a billion dollars.” Kelsey’s fingers were white as she clenched the phone, pressing it to her ear. “Sandra, I need you to be straight with me this time. Could I lose him?”

The silence stretched too long.

“Sandra?”

“It’s highly unlikely. You’re a good mother, you have a stable home, a good job. Noah is thriving.”

“I hear a ‘but’?”

Sandra sighed heavily, Kelsey could hear her shuffling papers on her desk. “Knowing now that they will not be satisfied with increased visitation, they will likely drag this out. Make it expensive, complicated.” Sandra’s voice softened. “I think we need to consider a worst case. If they want this badly enough Kelsey, you could lose.”

Dead silence answered her, making Kelsey swallow deeply fighting the lump in her throat that threatened to choke her.

“Margaret is in her eighties and her health is diminishing, so Noah could be inheriting this money in a few years. Kelsey, who else in the family would take part in his care and manage his trust if they were granted custody?”

“I believe it would be David’s brother, Jason. He’s been involved with him during visits.”

“Jason Prescott?” Kelsey was certain she heard Sandra swear beneath her breath.

Kelsey stared at the photo on her mantel—Noah at his last birthday, grinning with chocolate cake on his face. Tears began anew. “What do we do?”