Forcing back the hysteria in her throat, Kaya struggled to her feet and braced her hands against the edge of the desk. “Steven, I’ve worked in the homes of some of the wealthiest people in Florida. I know money when I see it. That three-story, eight-bedroom mansion my sister lived in is worth millions, yet, you’re telling me she died penniless?”
“I’m sorry to give you more bad news, Kaya, but, yes, those are the facts I’m afraid.” His tone was apologetic as if he was the one who had caused her dilemma.
“Well, in light of that, Steven, I can’t stay in Granite Falls now. I have no choice but to return to Palm Beach and take the children with me.”
Steven rose and strolled around the desk. “I’m aware that you and your sister weren’t very close, Kaya, and that there are events about her life you may not be aware of. But I was Michael and Lauren’s friend as well as their attorney, and if there’s one thing I do know, it’s that they would not want you to take their children to Florida. Granite Falls is their home.”
“Was, Steven. Was.” Kaya threw her hands up in frustration. “Everything is changed now. I was willing to settle down in Granite Falls, put my life on hold for a while until they got used to me as their caregiver, but that option is off the table. My career in Palm Beach is the only fighting chance I have to provide a decent living for all of us.”
“I understand the financial dilemma you’re facing, but it wouldn’t be wise to uproot the children so soon after the loss of their parents. They have ties in Granite Falls. Ties that shouldn’t be severed at this precarious time of their lives.”
“And their strongest tie is Bryce Fontaine, I suppose,” she said rather grudgingly. Bryce was the children’s godfather, and from what Kaya had learned from friends of the family who were gathered at the house when she arrived yesterday, he was a very present figure in the children’s lives.
“Bryce is a big part of their lives,” Steven voiced her thoughts out loud. “Despite the fact that you are their aunt and only living relative, they will need him to get them through this tragedy. He has been like a second father to them ever since they were born, and now that Michael is gone, they will need him more than ever.”
Kaya tried to ignore the insinuations in Steven’s words. She needed no reminders that the children didn’t know her, that they’d never met her until yesterday. If only she’d been more congenial toward her sister, met her halfway. A few weeks ago, Lauren had invited her up to celebrate Michael’s fiftieth birthday. She’d agreed to come, and they’d promised to take care of her travel arrangements. But unable to get past her juvenile sibling resentment, she’d reneged at the last minute. If she’d come up like she’d promised, she would have seen her sister and met Michael and the kids, but she hadn’t.
“When is Bryce coming back?” she asked Steven. She was still to meet this Bryce who’d been on a skiing trip in Switzerland the day Michael and Lauren died.
“His jet could be landing anytime soon. You know what that means for Jason.” His brows drew together and his blue eyes clouded with unease. “I can’t force you to stay in Granite Falls, Kaya. I can only strongly advise that you consider sticking with your initial plans to remain here, at least for now.”
Kaya walked over to the window and stared out across the parking lot. She felt as listless as the wind-blown snowflakes tumbling aimlessly to the ground. Steven was right about keeping the children in a familiar environment, around familiar faces. But what was she to do? They were destitute. Returning to Florida was her only option. Even there, with three children to support, she could still end up broke like Michael and Lauren.
Kaya never anticipated that her life could spiral out of control so quickly and unexpectedly. There was only one other time in her life when she’d been this scared—the day she saw her father for the last time.