Unforeseen Path

Chapter 9

The next morning Lee was going to meet with the Colonel's lawyer about the will and called Amanda at her house saying, "It shouldn't take too long. I thought maybe we could have lunch unless you're busy?"

Amanda shook her head. "No. I just have to go to the store since my family will be home in a few days. I need to restock. Which reminds me. I didn't get a chance to do that with your place. Do you have enough there? "

Lee groaned and shook his head. "Amanda! Stop worrying about me, okay? I'm a big boy. If I need something, I'll go get it. It's fine, trust me."

Amanda sighed and shook her head writing things down on her grocery list that she knew he'd be out of but wouldn't look for until the last minute. Why were men so disorganized?

Maybe in time he'd get better at it, but she wouldn't press the issue now. He'd been through enough lately. It was just a little thing anyway.

Her doorbell rang and she said, "Oh, I've gotta get the door. So, I'll see you in a little while, huh?"

Lee smiled, "Sure. Meet me back here in a couple of hours. "

They hung up and Amanda got the front door. It was the mailman who said, "Package for you, Mrs. King. Sign here please? "

She signed and took the package thanking the man and went back in the house. Going to the kitchen, she got the scissors and opened the box and was floored! It was Emily's sketchbooks!

She looked at the legal envelope that was with it. It came from Sam Henderson's office. She opened the envelope and read the note. It said, "Dear Mrs. King, Emily wanted you to have these as well as the house. I've sent the appropriate documents to Mr. Stetson for the ownership transfer of the house which you both will need to sign at your earliest convenience so I may file the paperwork. " Sincerely, Samuel Henderson

Amanda sank to the couch and opened the first book which contained the sketches she did when they were in Germany. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw a small envelope in the box and it was addressed to her.

The note inside said, "My dearest Amanda, If you've gotten my sketchwork then you know I'm gone. I will always cherish the memories of our times together but fear not my girl for I shall always be with you and behind my two favorite comrades as they move forth to their next great case. " All my love, Emily

Amanda looked through the first book and then put it away as she went to blow her nose and wipe her eyes. Shaking her head, she packed up the box with the envelopes and put the box in the back of her car. She knew Lee would want to see the sketches as well. Maybe he could keep them at his place as it was Agency related.

She went back inside to get her purse and keys and list. Locking the door as she left she got inside her car and began weeping! "Oh, Emily!"

She let herself cry it all out then got out again to go clean her face. She didn't need people in the market asking her if she was all right. Collecting herself, she went to her car and buckled up and pulled out of the driveway shaking her head. "This is not going to be an easy day", she thought as she left her neighborhood to head to the grocery store.

She got back to Lee's a bit earlier than what was agreed on but she knew he wouldn't mind. As she knocked at his door she told herself to put on a brave front for him. He wasn't comfortable with teary displays and crying over a few sketchbooks didn't seem appropriate here.

Not hearing anything, she knocked again and then the door flew open and Lee growled, "Whad'ya want?! Oh... sorry, Amanda. C'mon in."

He saw the bags in her arms and grabbed them saying as he went to the kitchen, "I love how you listen to me! I told you not to bother, didn't I?! "

She followed him in and closed the door saying, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry for stocking up for you! Geez, what is your problem? What happened at the lawyer's office? "

Lee muttered a few expletives and growled, "Take a gander at the will on the table there! You-you just won't believe it! "

Amanda patted Lee's arm trying to soothe him. "It's all right, Lee. I'm sure it's not that bad-."

Lee growled going to the fridge to get a beer and popped it open, "Go ahead, honey! It'll hand you a laugh actually! "

Amanda looked at the paper saying, "Well, you said it was pretty cut and dried as you are the only-."

As Amanda continued to peruse the will she swallowed hard and said,"Um, he has to be kidding here, right? Well, maybe there's a clause here-"

Lee swallowed some of the beer and wiped his mouth with his hand saying, "Oh right. A housewife is gonna find a loophole! Go ahead and look, because the will is null and void unless I follow it to the letter! "

Amanda with a hurt look on her face said to him, " I'm gonna ignore that first remark you made because I know how much pain you've been in lately. Now please go sit down while I look at this. Remember, I was married to a lawyer so I have seen a few of these things and besides that I saw a little of my father's will."

Lee swallowed and said, "Okay. I'm sorry. It just seems like he's trying to run my life from the grave! "

Amanda looked at him and Lee put up both hands and went to the couch saying, "I'm going, I'm going, sheesh!"

As Amanda looked at the document it looked like the Colonel knew what he was doing but the part about a trust for Lee's future children? She read further hoping the puzzle would be solved soon...

TBC