I opened my mouth to speak to Lucas when he stood.
“Thank you, all for coming. Inga’s will is simple. She made arrangements for her favorite charities, and on the side table you will find four gold boxes and envelopes. There is one for each of you Margaret, Douglas, Roland, and Craig. Inga chose the gift especially for each of you.”
Douglas rushed to the table and opened a box. “A watch, what the heck.” He tore open his envelope. “A letter from Aunt Inga and a check for less than I paid for my car. She was supposed to be worth millions. Where’s the money?”
Lucas smiled, “The house, furnishings, the property up north, and the balance of Inga’s financial holdings are bequeathed to the person she trusted most in the world.”
“Yeah, right. She didn’t have any other relatives. She was old and batty. Who is the person who held her trust?” Mags spat.
“The person who has her most prized possession, of course. Yummy’s owner, Annie.” He smiled at me, and I felt my mouth hanging open. I was dumbstruck.
Craig mumbled that he agreed that Inga must have been senile, and Roland was fuming mad when he pulled out a check from his envelope. “I traveled here for this. You could have mailed this pittance.”
Douglas said, “Annie conned the dog out of Inga. Mags is suing her.”
Mags yelled, “My name is Margaret.”
I was tired of being in the room and found my voice. “Yummy is mine. Possession is nine points or spots or something of the law, and I’m possessed. I mean I’m in possession of Yummy.” I forgot all about giving him away.
Mags jumped to her feet. She pointed at me. “You will lose him in court,” she yelled and fell face forward just as Inga had at the city council meeting.
I cringed in my chair; Lucas called 9-1-1, the cousins stared, and Douglas knelt at his sister’s side.
He looked at me and said, “I think she’s dead. You were there when Inga died, too. Did you kill them both to get Yummy and the estate?” He looked at Lucas and asked, “I am Mags’ nearest relative. I get Yummy now when the judge decides, right?”
Mags moaned softly.
Lucas said, “This is not the time Douglas. We don’t know what is wrong with Margaret. I heard her moan; she isn’t dead. Let the doctors help her.”
The paramedics arrived and did the best they could for Mags and took her to the hospital. Lucas told us to go on our way, and he would be in touch.
He stopped me before I left and said, “Yummy is yours. Don’t let anyone take him from you. Inga loved and trusted you. She knew you would take care of him and know what to do with the estate. You love the lake as much as she did. Margaret and Douglas or her cousins would sell it to a developer for condo construction. She told me the two of you spoke about how that would destroy the area many times. She knew your feelings. Follow them now.”
I thanked Lucas and shook his hand.
#######
I walked to my car trying to assimilate everything that just transpired.
Yummy was left to me, and Lucas said to hang onto him. Inga wanted me to have him, but she also wanted me to have her estate. I don’t know how much it’s worth, but I have heard many times that Inga is or rather was the richest person in town. Does that mean I am now the richest person in town? I can’t be. I don’t know how to be rich. I hope I don’t have to live in the mansion. I like my house. Inga told me once that she would love to see her home turned into a museum of the area someday. Maybe I could give it to the city if they use it for that purpose. I have to ask Lucas, but not until I find out about Mags.
I texted Georgie:
“Inga left me her mansion and the entire estate. Mags is in the hospital. Call me when you can.”
I started the car and headed toward the hardware store to pick up Yummy.
The store was empty when I entered. Clark’s smile helped me relax. I blurted out everything that happened, and he whistled.
“Wow, I’m dating the richest woman in town.” He leaned on the counter between us.
Dating? Are we dating? I guess we are. Okay, Annie. Breathe. It’s only dating. Or is it more, oh boy.
I smiled back and said, “I’m not sure how long I’ll be the richest. I don’t want the mansion. Maybe I should give it to the city as a museum and keep the lake for swimming and camping. I could insist that condos or more houses are never built around it. I’m not sure where the land up north is.” I shrugged.
Clark walked out from behind the counter and hugged me. “Let’s grab lunch from the diner and eat it at the bookstore. I’m sure Yummy misses you. He must be asleep, or he’d be barking at the sound of your voice. He’s in the backroom. I’ll get him.” Clark strode toward the back room and returned with the dog carrier and a very excited Yummy.
He locked the store, and we walked the block to the diner. He went in to order our takeout, and I walked Yummy. My Explorer was parked three spots away, and we drove the half block to the rear parking area behind the bookstore. My store was comfier than the hardware store.
We settled on the soft couch, and Clark pulled out two ham and cheese sandwiches along with a bag of potato chips and two ice teas. Yummy settled on his blanket and everything felt safe and warm.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. A text from Georgie read:
“WOW I’ll call after lunch.”
Once we finished lunch, Clark put his arm around me and pulled me close. He asked, “Do you have any idea what happened to
