Until Kelly by Vera Quinn
Chapter Twelve
Skeeter
I can’t believe that Trask had the audacity to bring one of his shameless hussies to our yearly Christmas Eve party. That tart will not get her claws into my son. Trask may not enjoy our A-list friends and he may not like to attend our soirees, but he is still a Stillman and he will not embarrass us again by showing up with that type of woman. He can’t get past the cheap looks that the woman exuded. I am fit to be tied.
Branton may have been intoxicated but so where half our guests by that time. I do say Branton’s comments were completely out of line but at least my youngest son knows that women like Kelly are only good for one thing and one thing only.
It is time for both of my wayward sons to set their goals on finding a suitable mate—one with breeding and old money ties. Donald and I have indulged our sons with both of their womanizing ways but now they both need to produce some heirs so Donald’s bloodline can be carried on for generations to come even if I need to step in and help with the process.
“Donald, we are going to need to take the trash out again. That Kelly woman ruined our holiday party, and I won’t stand for it. She needs to go, and it is time for our sons to step up and do their part to make sure this family’s bloodline continues with a breed of woman that will only strengthen the family,” I say with determination. He will not ignore me this time. He’s let our sons run amuck for too long. We may have come from nothing, but we have a reputation to uphold now. What will people say after seeing Trask with this type of woman? He’s never showed a care in his selections for companions, but up until now, he’s kept his dalliances restricted to one-night stands.
“Skeeter, you need to lower your voice. We still have company in the guest room. We don’t need to air our dirty laundry. Everyone will know you are pissed at Trask.” Donald takes another drink of his bourbon. “I agree with you. I put in a call earlier to that private investigator in Tennessee that helped us out with Branton last spring. He and his cousin found the dirt for us to be able to purchase that tape and that situation was a whole lot more complicated than getting rid of one woman. Everyone has something they want to hide in their life and Sage Mayson will find it for us.” Donald looks out the window. “Branton will marry whoever we decide is a good match for him as long as she also has the looks to go along with her money. But Trask will be difficult, and you know that. If we push him too hard, he will dig in and there is no way he will marry for money. I am almost envious of that boy’s tenacity sometimes.”
“You have made our son too independent while we tended to Branton. The only thing Trask holds dear to his heart is this ranch and in two more years, he becomes the full owner. Then we won’t have a hold on him. Why did your father put that clause in his will?” Donald never listens to me until it’s too late.
“Trask has no idea about his grandfather’s will but the day he turns thirty-two, Mr. Lint will contact him and he will know. There is nothing we can do about it. I inherit most of my father’s money and stocks and then Trask gets this ranch. I agreed to the terms since Dad’s portfolio is much greater than mine, but I thought by the time the boys would inherit that they would fall into line. I should have known that I could never control Trask. Well, everything but the house itself, that we retain. Dad knew that Branton was not a rancher. He inherits Dad’s house and a bundle of cash. Branton will go through it in no time. The boy has no idea how to handle money.” Donald rambles on about things I already know.
“Donald, concentrate on the problem at hand. I won’t have that woman having my grandchildren. Can you imagine someone like her at all our gatherings? I would be too embarrassed to have another party. This will not do. You give that Mayson person double pay to dig something up or we’ll fabricate it. We’ll send this hussy packing right back to where she came from.” I know I am right and one day Trask will thank us for it.
“Skeeter, I know you are right. I’ll call Sage in the morning and let him know I want this a top priority and I want results now,” Donald tells me. I am glad we are now on the same page. “I just hope when this woman goes packing that we don’t lose our son too,” Donald says and then finishes his bourbon.
“Don’t be silly. Trask is a Stillman, and he knows that we are only looking out for him. We’ll play our cards right and he’ll never know that we were behind this. When we pick his perfect match, we’ll make it look like an accidental meeting and he’ll think it is all his idea. It’s the only way to handle Trask.” Mothers always know best. I will always do what is right for my sons even if they can’t see it and they don’t like it.