Kyle said nothing. But resentment flared. Why hadn’t he known any of this? For all intents and purposes he’d been an adult. “Is that why there weren’t any medical bills?”

The lawyer nodded. “I’ve been Marshall’s attorney for twenty years, and he was quite shocked to discover he’d fathered a child. He and his wife, Inez, never were able to have children. At the time I encouraged Marshall to make contact with you. But he…” The lawyer sighed. “I’ll be blunt, Kyle. Marshall Townsend was an odd duck. He did things his own way, in his own time frame. I don’t know what he was waiting for, in regards to contacting you, especially after he changed his will.”

“Changed it how?”

“He’d intended to leave everything to the State of Wyoming as a land trust. But four years ago he came in and named you his sole heir, his sole beneficiary. Because we already had the paternity test results on file, there were no legal issues as far as inheritance because you are his blood descendant, whether or not you knew it.”

Kyle said, “My mom said Marshall left me everything. What does that mean?”

“That you are a very lucky man. I assumed you’d want a list of your current assets.” He passed over a piece of paper.

Kyle’s hand shook so hard he couldn’t read the words. Celia threaded her fingers through his, grabbing the opposite edge to hold it steady.

Land: 7083 acres, detailed in the attached plat, in Laramie County, Wyoming

Dwelling: 1900 sq ft ranch house, and all contents

Outbuildings: 2000 sq ft barn, 3000 sq ft metal bldg, assorted outbuildings

Ranch equipment: detailed on separate page #4a section 1

Livestock: app 170 cow/calf pairs, 12 bulls, 4 horses

Mineral rights: all

Water rights: all

Optional state, federal grazing permits: subject to reapplication

Liquid assets: all bank accts

Bill handed him three other sheets of paper. “These are the most current bank statements. But keep in mind there will be medical expenses to be paid out of these accounts.”

Kyle squinted at the number, then his eyes went wide.

“I’m sure this is overwhelming—”

“You’re goddamn right it is. He left me all this”—he waved the first batch of papers—“and this?” He shook the bank statement. “This says there’s half a million dollars cash in this account. Half a million. Five hundred thousand dollars and change in this account.”

“Yes. And it’s all yours.”

He looked at Celia, utterly dumbfounded.

“It’s okay.” She squeezed his hand and repeated, “It’ll be okay.”

Once he’d collected himself, he glanced at Bill. “What’s the catch? Change my last name to Townsend, or prove my ranching acumen for one year, or some other weird strings?”

Bill shook his head. “It’s really simple. You inherited it. Everything on those lists is yours now.”

This couldn’t be happening. Since the first time he’d set foot on Lawson land at the tender age of eleven, Kyle had wanted a ranch of his own. He’d dreamt of it. Scrimped and saved the last five years to make that dream come true. And now? Everything he wanted—boom!—had just been handed to him?

While he sat there completely poleaxed, Bill began talking again. “As per Marshall’s instructions, there won’t be a funeral, a memorial service, or an obituary. He requested cremation and his remains will be inurned at the Wyoming military cemetery.”

The lawyer continued. “There are two pieces of urgent business. The first being the livestock. Marshall’s neighbor, Josh Jones, has been dealing with Marshall’s livestock the last two months. Calving season is closing in and Josh doesn’t have the manpower to handle additional birthing bovines. So you’ll have to deal with that this week. Second, one of those bank accounts—”

“There’s more than one?” Kyle blurted out.

“Yes. One is earmarked as back pay for child support. But there is a catch. Marshall was very clear on this point. It’s up to you to determine whether your mother receives the money or if you keep it.”

“How much we talkin’?”

“A little over one hundred thousand dollars. Which I believe is what financial experts claim it takes to raise a child to age eighteen.”

“And she’d get it all?”

“Yes. Naturally she’d have to pay taxes on it.”

“She deserves it. After all she’s done for me, by herself.” Even when he was mad as hell at her, he would never have denied her a windfall that she had more than earned. He took a deep breath. “I’ll tell her. But not now.”

“That’s fine. I’ll bring all the paperwork into the conference room and we can get everything changed over into your name.”

Kyle nodded numbly. “Am I allowed to tell people he was my father and that’s the reason for this sudden inheritance?”

“There’s nothing in the language of the will that prevents that. I’d imagine since Marshall left it to you, he was expecting that you would reveal your relationship.” Bill buzzed his assistant. “Will you escort Kyle and his wife into conference room B?”

As soon as the conference room door shut, Celia wreathed her arms around his waist and hugged him.

Kyle held on, letting her anchor him. Once he felt reasonably sure he wouldn’t faint, he released her.