Always Be True by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online

made for taking care of this enormous house and putting up with an irascible old coot. Regardless of the amount, it wasn’t enough.
    “Well, I’d better go see what I can do to improve his mood.”
    Esther gave Natalie one of her warm hugs. “He’s waiting for you out on the patio. I’ll be right out with the tea and scones. He wanted Earl Grey this morning, but I can fix you something else if you’d rather.”
    “No, Earl Grey is fine.” Natalie headed for the patio. “Wish me luck. Sounds like I’ll need it.”
    She found her grandfather sitting with his wheelchair facing due east and soaking up the early-morning sun. His eyes were closed, but that didn’t fool her into believing he was asleep. Sure enough, as soon as she kissed him on the cheek, his eyes popped open. Over the years, they had faded to a shade lighter blue than her own, but age had done little to disguise the sharp intelligence behind them.
    “So, Granddaughter, what are you spending my money on now?” He turned his chair to face her a little more directly. “I trust you aren’t wasting it on any of those talentless artists your mother is so fond of these days.”
    Natalie waited to answer until she was settled into the chair on the other side of the glass-topped table. “Sorry, Grandpa, but I might be. Friday, we’re all going to the opening night at a gallery that’s displaying the work of her latest find. Mom specifically told me to bring the checkbook.”
    Cyrus pointed a knobby finger at her. “Don’t let her bully you into buying a damn thing unless you actually like the paintings.”
    They’d had similar conversations in the past. “I won’t, but we both know Mom does have a real eye for up-and-coming talent. She thinks I might like this person’s work for my own home. Who knows? I could end up spending my money instead of yours.”
    That didn’t make him much happier, but a lot of his grumpiness was for show. He might make a lot of noise when it came to his daughter’s interest in the arts, but he’d also spent a great deal of money over the years supporting her efforts.
    He frowned even more. “If you think the paintings are a good investment, you can buy me one, too. I’m sure I can find a spot on a wall in some dark corner to hang it.”
    She didn’t bother to hide her smile. “I will.”
    Esther arrived with the tea and scones. She set a cup and saucer beside each of them along with a small glass of water for Cyrus. “Here you go. And, Boss Man, I put your pills on your plate. Don’t forget to take them.”
    Cyrus gave his housekeeper a dark look. “Stop bossing me around. You might recall that I pay your salary.”
    Natalie laughed when Esther shot back, “And bossing you around is how I earn it. Holler if you need anything else.”
    After she disappeared back into the house, Cyrus shook his head. “Some days I don’t know why I put up with that woman. She always has to have the last word.”
    “You do it because she’s one of the few people in your life who doesn’t take any guff from you. If Esther were the type you could walk all over, you would’ve fired her years ago.”
    He didn’t bother to deny it. “While we’re on the subject, as trustee of my estate, you should know that I’ve provided for her. Stubborn woman refused the last raise I tried to give her. She told me to add whatever extra I was going to pay her to your budget at the foundation. How crazy is that?”
    His tone belied his words. After glancing over his shoulder to make sure Esther wasn’t anywhere within hearing, he gave Natalie a wicked grin. “I’ve been setting aside money in a special investment account where she’s the named beneficiary since the day I hired her. It has done quite well over the years.”
    No surprise there. Cyrus Waines had a real gift for making money. He’d come from nothing and was now one of the wealthiest men on the West Coast, which was saying something.
    “Yep, the day I die, Esther will become