"That's not fair." Ellie Collins only came up to Alice's shoulder, but she had the personality of a giant. She stopped packing her china in boxes, glared at Alice, and then crossed her arms. "Your father and I operate an independent farm and we choose who buys our products."
Alice pushed her short blondish bob behind her ears and counted to five so she wouldn't yell. "And you and Dad chose to make money and sell everything with the Morgans' corporate chains. We even bank at the bank they are the majority shareholders of." Alice dropped the hand she had on her hip and brushed it down her black dress. "With Dad on the mend from his heart attack, I'll go to Mitch Morgan's funeral and pay our family respects in his place."
"You've done your hair and gussied up, which I don't understand. You shouldn't bother looking pretty for those boys. In fact, you shouldn't go at all." Ellie shook her head, like her decrees mattered. Done issuing her dramatic over-the-top orders, she reached down to seal the box with tape. "That family is nothing but trouble."
Alice inhaled as fire caught in her blood. "Mom, the wake and funeral will be on television. The President of the United States will be there. I can't go looking like a farmer."
"You should." Her mother dropped the tape onto the dining room chair already wrapped for delivery. The plastic cartridge bounced. Ellie pressed her hand against Alice's cheek. Alice expected a goodbye, but her mother said instead, "Be sure to kick over the casket and light a match to ensure Mitch Morgan's body burns in hell."
Alice stepped back. "You're being unreasonable. We hardly spoke to Mitch Morgan and his contract with our farm has been very lucrative."
"Your father had no choice but to sign." Her mother crossed her arms, again.
Alice shook her head. "No one forced Dad. He made a choice that made us all money."
Her mother pursed her lips. "He should have listened to me and never signed."
Alice rolled her eyes. "He did what he thought was right for us."
"You and Colt need to be smarter. I know your brother would agree with me that those contracts should die just like Mitch did."
Why was she bringing Colt into this? He understood that they never saw the Morgans anyhow, but the contract with them ensured they had a buyer for all their produce. Alice tried to keep her voice even as she said, "Dad trusted the farm to Colt and me after his heart attack. We will make the decisions about the farm and the contracts."
Her mother lifted her chin. "The renewal period is starting and now that Mitch is dead, don't coerce Colt into signing."
Alice held back her sigh. Once again her mother went over the top with her feelings on all things named Morgan. No one forced their father and no one would force her brother or her into any agreements. "You weren't always this ridiculous. As a child, I spent years with the Morgans. Vicki was my friend."
Ellie clearly wasn't done. Her arms crossed as if it was the only body posture she had today. "No, she wasn't your friend. You should have grown out of that."
"Grown out of what?"
"Your belief that Victoria Morgan was your friend."
Alice froze. Her fingers trembled and she reached up to clutch the best-friends-forever necklace Vicki had given her years ago. "Mom, stop. She's been dead for three years now."
Her mother's eyes misted. "I'm sorry. I just love my family and don't want you hurt."
Alice hugged her mother to forgive her, though she shouldn't have spoken ill of Vicki. It was time to pay her respects to her friend's family. Alice patted her mother's back. "You aren't half as mean as you claim to be when it comes to the Morgans. You'd never really kick over the casket."
"You have no idea about that. Mitch Morgan deserves whatever happens to him in the afterlife." Ellie pushed Alice's hair back. "And wipe that lipstick off your face so you don't look like a clown."
Ellie turned to look out the window, and Alice followed her gaze. The sky was a brilliant blue and the smell of ripe strawberries drifted into the house as the wind rustled the crops. Alice rubbed her arms. "Mom, soon you get to move into that new condo on the beach and go to those awesome 55-and-older parties every night."
Her mother gave a reluctant smile then nodded. "The beach is going to be great."
Alice was also moving out of this house to her own condo, though she doubted there were any events or activities she'd have time for other than work.
Now that her brother was getting married, Colt intended to raise his family here, so at least the farm would go on through them. This week Colt had ended his service in the Marines so he could take over the day-to-day farm work, while Alice used her college degree to manage the business aspects.
Alice glanced in the one hall mirror left on the wall near the front door and ensured she had no lipstick on her teeth. She said, "Mom, everything is going to work out. Be peaceful."
Ellie tilted her head. "Your father can't stay here and not try to help out and run the farm. It's hard for him."
"We have to do what's best for Dad's heart." Alice stepped beside her and took her hand. "Collins Organic Fruits will stay profitable and Dad can come visit, but he's not allowed to work."
Ellie's eyes became glassy. "Agreed."
Her niece chose that moment to bounce into the room. Blonde ringlets surrounding her angelic face bobbed as she carried her small brown teddy bear. Alice knelt down. "Come here and give me a hug."
Clara's little hands wrapped around her and the ever-present teddy bear. The scent of strawberries wafted into her nose. "You look so pretty, like my Barbie doll."
Alice smiled at the three-year-old girl. Her niece lived here with them while Colt was away. "I'll never be as sweet as you are, princess."
"Aunt Alice, will you take me for ice cream?" Clara's small hands circled her neck. Alice sighed. She'd rather spend the day with Clara than face the funeral, though she couldn't. Their family needed to stick together, despite what her mother said about the Morgans. Today, Alice would represent the Collins family. She'd ensure that Peter renewed the contract that guaranteed one hundred percent of the farm's items would be shelved in various stores throughout the nation and that her family would make money.
"I can't." Alice unwrapped herself from Clara's hug. She stood and fixed the strap on her black high heel. "I have to go to a wake on business."
Clara's baby blue eyes were wide and full of wonder. "What's a wake? Do you have to wake someone up and jump on the bed?"
"No, sweetheart, but that does sound fun."
Alice smiled and checked her dress in the mirror. John had been so shut down the day of his sister's funeral. Alice used to have a major crush on him. She'd not seem him in years. She fixed her earring. "Be good for Grandma."