Like Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola Read Free Book Online Page A

throat swelled, wishing I’d answered. Cared. But no.
    I sat back down and squeezed the phone cord until my knuckles showed. “What do you want, Ashley?”
    Expensive. Expenses.
Her words rolled in my head.
    She can’t possibly think Mom’s house … no. Not even Ashley would stoop that low.
    “Want? It’s not about me, but what Mom had in mind for Carson. Too bad she didn’t have time to write it in her will.”
    “Carson. In Mom’s will.”
    “That’s right. My son. Her grandson. If you need any proof of her affection or intentions, I’ve got it in black and white. A letter.”
    “Mom writes in blue ink.” My hands trembled on a silver fish.
    “Okay, then blue.”
    “I don’t believe you! Mom never planned to put Carson in her will.”
    “Oh no? Let me make it plain for you, Shiloh. Half of a hundred thousand, if that’s what her little matchbox is worth, still makes fifty grand. Which belongs to Carson and me. After all, she was my mother, too.”
    The cup wavered and tipped, scattering fish all over the linoleum. I slid to the floor.
    “
Stepmother!
”
    “
Mother!
”
    “Dad did DNA tests to see which secretary told the truth before marrying your mom,” I hissed. “Before he divorced her and married
mine.
You’re Susan’s daughter! Not a cell in your body belongs to Ellen Amelia Jacobs.”
    My sumo wrestler grunted, nearly shoving Ashley out of the ring. But she roared and righted herself, slapping her thighs.
    “No more playing nice!” Ashley screamed. “I gave you a chance to fix things yourself, but since you’re such a selfish monster, I’ve hired a lawyer!”
    Ashley’s shrill words hit me like a redneck frying pan slathered in bacon grease.
    “You … what?” I wobbled, plopping back down on the floor. Breath gone out.
    “I’ve got a lawyer, and I’m contesting the will. Since you’re obviously not going to do the right thing and share with family.” She sniffed in triumph. “It’s your fault. You’re forcing me to do things the hard way.”
    I couldn’t speak. Just opened and closed my mouth, feeling all sense bleed out of my head.
    “You’re the one who probably drove her to death anyway, Shiloh, with all your fighting. You know she never had high blood pressure until you two started going at it.” Ashley’s voice pierced into my stunned ear. “Well maybe it’s time you face the truth and stop ham-fisting all her assets to yourself. Since you’re the one who least deserves them.”
    Ashley had to be kidding. I laughed, but she didn’t laugh back.
    “You have no grounds to contest the will!” I finally spat, finding my voice. “Mom named me the only beneficiary.”
    She raised beefy sumo arms, grimacing. “Think what you want, but Mom had a different opinion—especially about Carson. Her letter proves it.”
    “What letter? And what does Carson have to do with anything?”
    “Mom claimed Carson as her grandson. In the letter.”
    My sumo wrestler stumbled. Crashed. Rolled out of the ring and into the exploding stands. I sprawled on the kitchen floor, cord bonging over my head. “She didn’t! You’re lying!”
    “Oh no. I’m not. My lawyer will be happy to provide you with a copy.” Ashley’s sumo wrestler raised her fists, turning in brilliant flashbulbs. “Do what Mom truly wanted. Fifty-fifty. Or I’ll go for the whole thing. And I’m sure it’s worth more than a hundred thousand. Quite sure.”

    No sooner had I slammed the screen door behind me than my cell phone vibrated in my pocket.
    “Look, Ashley, don’t call me here again—ever!” I shouted, voice echoing off Mom’s siding. And started to shut it, when the name F AYE C LATTERBAUGH glowed on the screen.
    “Shiloh, darlin’, what’s goin’ on? Everything all right?”
    “Faye?” I blubbered, pulling my shawl tighter in the chill. “No, everything’s wrong. Ashley called here, and …” I let my words die. Cold wind rustled my hair in brown chunks, and I buried my nose in