Duke's Redemption

Duke's Redemption The Samson Boys: Book 1 Stephanie Renee This book doesn't go into extreme detail on any particular violent or graphic scenes, but for a full list of trigger warnings, please visit https://www.stephaniereneeauthor.com/trigger-warnings Contents Dedication 1. Chapter 1 Avery 2. Chapter 2 Avery 3. Chapter 3 Duke 4. Chapter 4 Avery 5. Chapter 5 Duke 6. Chapter 6 Avery 7. Chapter 7 Duke 8. Chapter 8 Avery 9. Chapter 9 Duke 10. Chapter 10 Avery 11. Chapter 11 Duke 12. Chapter 12 Avery 13. Chapter 13 Duke 14. Chapter 14 Avery 15. Chapter 15 Duke 16. Chapter 16 Avery 17. Chapter 17 Duke 18. Chapter 18 Avery 19. Chapter 19 Duke 20. Chapter 20 Avery 21. Chapter 21 Duke 22. Chapter 22 Avery 23. Chapter 23 Duke 24. Chapter 24 Avery 25. Chapter 25 Duke 26. Chapter 26 Avery 27. Chapter 27 Duke 28. Chapter 28 Avery 29. Chapter 29 Avery 30. Chapter 30 Duke 31. Chapter 31 Avery 32. Chapter 32 Duke 33. Chapter 33 Avery 34. Chapter 34 Duke 35. Chapter 35 Avery 36. Chapter 36 Duke 37. Chapter 37 Avery Acknowledgments Also By Stephanie Renee Dedication To all the guys out there with the rough exteriors and hearts of gold. Chapter 1 Avery “Miss Mathis?” The new office assistant pokes her head into my office. She’s a mousy little thing. Half the time, she looks like she may run away from me at any moment. I don’t know why. I’m not mean to her. “Yes, Danielle?” I ask without looking away from my computer screen. “There’s a lawyer that’s here to see you.” “Lawyer?” I ask. “I’ve got nothing on my calendar. Tell him he needs to make an appointment with you.” I assume that’s the end of the discussion, but Danielle clears her throat, gathering up her courage to speak again. “I tried that, but he said he’s already made two appointments, and you’ve cancelled on both.” Oh, it’s THAT lawyer. I’ve been dodging this guy for a month now. He says he has an estate matter to discuss with me. I figure he has to have the wrong Avery Mathis because I have no family to leave me anything. I’ve tried telling him that, but he’s persistent. Danielle adds, “He says he’s not leaving until he gets a moment with you.” I close my eyes and let out a small sigh. “Fine. Send him in.” She disappears, and a moment later, a short, portly man comes waddling into the office. He's balding on top but has a thick white mustache. When he opens his mouth to speak, his words drip with a strong Southern accent. “Hello, Miss Mathis. I apologize if my intrusion seems rude, but I’m only here in Boston one more day before heading back to Texas. I’d like to get this matter taken care of before then.” “It’s fine,” I reply, trying to hide my annoyance. “Please have a seat.” “Thank you. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.” He clicks open the latches on his briefcase before pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe a couple beads of sweat off his brow. Too late. “It’s fine, Mr.?” “Abernathy. Clyde Abernathy.” “Alright, Mr. Abernathy. What do you have to show me?” I ask, anxious to get this show on the road. “I’m representing the affairs of Mr. Samuel Whitmore—your father.” “My?” I stammer. “Mr. Abernathy, my father left my mother when I was born. I haven’t heard from him since. I can’t imagine why I’d be included in any affairs of his.” “Well, he’s always kept a close eye on you. In his will, he listed your address as well as your job. It’s how I found you so easily.” Should I be flattered or creeped out? “When did he die?” I ask. “About a month ago.” "How?" “Cause of death on his death certificate is listed as a heart attack, but honestly, I’m not certain.” Unsure of how I should respond to that, I try to get back to the matter at hand. “So, what do any of his affairs have to do with me?” “Well, he left them all to you.” “What?” I exclaim. “Why?” “I assume it’s because you’re his only living relative, but I suppose I can’t really answer for sure.” I sit in shock for a moment because I truly can’t fathom why a man who seemingly wanted nothing to do with me my entire life suddenly puts me in his will. Is this some sort of penance he’s trying to atone for? The lawyer pulls me from my thoughts. “Shall we go over what he’s left you?” I shake my head, trying to snap back into the moment. “Of course. Please begin.” He pulls an 8x10 photo out of an envelope and hands it to me. He says, “This house is now yours.” “A house?” I ask, taking the photo out of his hands. Sure enough, it shows an old farmhouse with a large wrap-around porch. It looks awfully big for just one person. I’m sure at one point, it was beautiful, but now it looks pretty dilapidated. “Where is this?” I ask. A small town called Maple Oaks, Texas. Texas? What am I supposed to do with a house in Texas? “This house used to belong to my father? It doesn’t look like it’s been lived in for quite some time,” I say. “He bought the house awhile ago, determined to fix it up. But unfortunately, it just fell further into disarray. I couldn't tell you why. Honestly, I didn't know Samuel all that well, but he seemed to be a good man." I could argue with him about how I don’t think running out on your woman and child makes you a good man. But why bother? The sour taste in my mouth makes me not want to deal with anything my father had any interest in. “So, I can just sell it, right?” I ask. “I’m