Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [47]
“We raised you, Parker, not Mama, not Mattie. We did it because we loved you. We pulled you around in the wagon, we taught you to swim, to jump in the pools, hide behind the falls. We taught you to climb the monkeypod tree and taught you how to ride your first bicycle and when you fell off you had six nurses in attendance. We made sure you brushed your teeth and took your bath. We even. followed you on your first dates and hid in the bushes so you wouldn’t see us. We begged and pleaded with Papa until he couldn’t stand our pestering, to get you your first car. We combed your hair and took you to church. We showered you with love and shared everything in our lives with you.
“And then, one day, you didn’t need us anymore. Papa decided it was time for you to learn the coffee business because one day it would be all yours. Mama died, and Papa decided it was time to marry us all off. We didn’t have anything to say about it. I wanted to be a schoolteacher. Teke wanted to study music. Jana wanted to be an artist. Cassie had dreams of being an entertainer. Mahala wanted to study law. Kiki was the one who wanted to learn the coffee business. None of our dreams came true.
“We mistakenly thought when Papa died that you would share your life and your fortune with us. Did I leave anything out?”
“Only that we hate his guts,” Kiki said, finishing her drink.
Parker flinched. “I thought you were all married and happy. You never came here. I thought...”
“It’s the same old bullshit,” Teke said.
“Why are we bothering with this? Let’s go back to town,” Cassie said.
Teke yanked at her brother’s head pulling it backward. She leaned down, her eyes boring into his. “You’re never going to be happy, Parker. In your heart, tradition and culture be damned. You know you were wrong. We were part of this family long before you came along. You think about that while we go back to town.”
“Okay, enough is enough!” Parker roared. “I don’t need to think about it. That’s all I’ve done for the past five months. All of you are right. Yes, I was deaf, dumb, blind, and stupid. When you didn’t say anything, I accepted the fact that you accepted the conditions of Papa’s will. I never knew you had hopes and dreams. That in itself was incredibly stupid on my part. I thought all you wanted was to get married and have families. Again, that was stupid on my part. I want to make it right. I will make it right. It’s not too late. I want us to share equally and evenly. I want you to know you can come here to this house anytime you want. You do not need an invitation. Your rooms are just like they were when you left. Mattie kept them that way for you. I’d like all your children to come here and enjoy the same life you had when you lived here. I’m just sorry it’s taken me so long to do this. The business will now have seven equal partners. Kiki, if you want, I could really use an assistant. If you don’t like that word, how would you like to be working partner.”
“What’s the catch? Why are you being so generous all of a sudden?” Jana asked.
“What do we have to do in return for this generosity?” Mahala asked suspiciously.
“Just be my sisters and give me the chance to be your brother. There’s room on this estate to build a dozen houses. Pick your spot. I’ll have the houses built to your specifications.”
“Of course this will all be done legally,” Mahala said.
“Of course. It’s not too late for any of you to follow your dreams.”
“Yes, Parker, it’s too late. We’re willing to forgo our dreams so that our children can follow theirs. My son wants