Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Dropping my ass to the couch, I abandon the blanket, too worked up for comfort, and I slip my hand inside to collect the papers. Only it’s not what I thought, not even close.
My gaze trails over the cover letter.
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Dear Miss Blair Wilder,
Please accept this letter from your beloved nana, Mrs. Olivia Grace Wilder, in which was left in her will. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call.
Mrs. Wilder has assured me that all instructions have been left in the attached letter.
Benjamin Roderick
Roderick Associates & Co.
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My heart races, and as I flip the page over to reveal the handwritten letter from my nana, I become overwhelmed with the grief of losing her. Tears fill my eyes, and despite the way they make the papers blurry before me, I do my best to read through them, desperate for any shred of her I can get.
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My sweet girl,
Quit crying! You’re going to mess up the paper, and I’ve worked too hard trying to figure out what I want to say here for you to mess it up. Head up. You’re too strong for tears, always have been.
If you’re reading this, it means I’m gone. How cheesy is that? It’s such a movie line, but yet, I find myself incapable of figuring out a better opener, so for now, I’ll stick with the cheesy stuff. Something tells me you won’t mind though.
Assuming I picked a reliable lawyer to handle my will, you should be receiving this letter at 6 p.m. on Thursday night, a month following my passing. I figured why not have one last hurrah and keep my long-standing appointment? After all, I know how you like to keep on schedule!
First and foremost, my sweet Blair, I want you to know that you’re going to be just fine, and despite those nasty thoughts I know are circling your mind, you’re not alone in this big world. You have created such a wonderful life for yourself over there in New York, and I am so unbelievably proud of you. You set out to conquer the world, and that’s exactly what you’re doing, though I know this is only the beginning for you. You still have so much more to conquer.
I want so much for you. Unbreakable and honest friendships that will last through the ages. Undeniable joy and happiness. I want you to experience the wonders of becoming a mother and learning what it means to love your child unconditionally. There truly isn’t anything like it. However, first, I want you to open your heart to love the same way I did with your grandfather. I would love nothing more than for you to experience the wonders of love and to discover just how deep it can run, because one day when your babies have grown and left the nest, you’re going to look around, and right there by your side, he will be there, waiting to experience a whole new adventure with you.
I know that’s a lot to ask. That opening your heart like that can be scary, but I have faith in you, Blair. When the time is right, you’ll find exactly what you’ve always been searching for, and I can’t wait to watch over you as you fall in love and experience it all, just as I did at eighteen. But just remember, your pop is watching over you too, so let’s keep it classy, Sweetheart. He’s already suffered one fatal heart attack. He doesn’t need to find out what one is like in the afterlife.
Now, on to the important stuff.
In the bottom of the envelope, you will find the key to my home—my home that is now yours.
If anybody deserves it, it’s you.
By now, the deeds to my home should have already been transferred into your name, and it is completely up to you as to what you would like to do with it. Keep or sell, it’s your decision. Your grandfather and I spoke at length about this before his passing, and we both agreed that there would be no hard feelings if you wanted to sell our family home.
You have a life in New York, and you have always talked about taking on such admirable dreams. I know the funds from selling the house could go far in helping those dreams come true. However, if you choose to move back to Blushing and make our home yours once again, then please, if it’s the last thing you do, look after my garden. I spent way too many hours on that!
Despite how you deny it, I know the idea of returning to Blushing has always terrified you, but you need to remember that the little girl I raised and watched grow into a miraculous young woman is capable of facing anything. That little girl is strong and courageous. She always wanted to face the world with her head held high, and I know that’s exactly what you’re going to do.