AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ve left a post-it flag on each page that requires a signature. But please, take your time reviewing it. I’ll just be outside,” Stan suggested, giving me space to process.
Carefully reading over the paperwork, everything looked in order. Hesitant to take on such a heavy responsibility, I knew my grandfather wouldn’t have entrusted me with his property if he didn’t think I could handle it.
Signing my name on the last page, Stan returned. “All set?” He asked, closing the sliding door behind him.
“I think so,” I replied, laying the pen down on the counter.
Returning to my side, Stan flipped through each of the pages. “Everything looks in order,” he smiled. “All that’s left is the letter.”
“The letter?”
“Your grandfather left both you and Mia a private letter to be opened once you accepted your inheritance.”
“Has Mia already received hers?”
“She received hers at the wake,” he replied, pressing his lips together with an uncomfortable smile.
The wake I missed because of my heart is what he was implying.
Packing up the papers, Stan placed them carefully into his folder and removed a thick envelope. “I wish you the very best, Mr. Petersen, and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call,” he offered, leaving his card beside the letter.
“Thank you,” I said, shaking my head with an uncomfortable smile.
Seeing Stan out, I closed the door behind him and strolled back to the letter. Seeing my name written in my grandfather’s handwriting, my feet felt heavy as they drew me closer.
Picking up the letter, I turned it over and broke the wax seal with our family’s crest. Slipping out the crisp paper, it turned out my grandfather had left me quite the letter.
Dear Logan,
If you’re reading this, it means I’ve been reunited with my Hildred. I know you’re grieving and probably looking for someone to blame, but I assure you it’s better this way. I’d rather cancer take me before dementia had the chance to erase everyone I’ve ever loved.
I’m sure you have questions and I don’t doubt that you’re blaming your father for this one, but I assure you the decision to keep my illness a secret was entirely my doing. I didn’t want to disrupt the lives both you and Mia had worked so hard to build.
That being said, I’m leaving you the Gooderham so that regardless of where your hockey career takes you, you always have somewhere to return to that feels like home.
As for my last wishes. I have only a few for you and I hope you’ll consider each with an open heart.
First off, I’m extremely proud of the man you’ve become and I admire your hockey career. I always have, but I want more for you. You deserve to have a life outside of the sport. Please don’t forget that.
Speaking of a life outside of hockey, there’s a certainsweet girl,as your mother always referred to her,that is waiting for you to allow her back in, Logan. I saw the way the two of you looked at each other anytime you were together and it reminded me of how I felt towards your grandmother. The two of you had a solid foundation to build upon, but it was hard on Stephanie when you went away. I’m not telling you who to love, I’m reminding you to follow your heart. If you feel for her what I believe you do, please don’t let her slip away for good.
And last, I want you to know how important Sunday dinners were to me. The time we spent together in the kitchen meant more to me than you’ll ever know. I hope you’ll use those skills I taught you in some capacity one day. I’m not saying you should become a chef in a fancy restaurant like my lifelong idol Leon Stark, but passing down the love language of cooking has been a tradition throughout the Petersen generations. One day, I hope you will pass it down to your own children. If you ever decide to have any, that is.
And finally, always remember how much I loved and adored you, my dear boy. Whatever you choose to do with the rest of your life, I hope you’ll be happy and well.
Until we meet again,
Gunther
