Covered in Coal (Buried Secrets 1)

"Relax doll. I just wanted to see how you're dealin' with all this shit?" He says, swirling his finger in the air.

"I-I'm okay." I reply, stammering over my words. I stare forward, trying hard not to make eye contact. Placing his hand on my thigh, he lightly squeezes, then pats it.

“Big John was a good man, a tough son of a bitch, but a good man.” He chuckles lightly.

I roll my eyes, and let sarcasm roll off my lips. “Yeah, I’m sure he was just crazy about you.” Colton winces, like my words inflicted pain. He pulls his shoulders back tight, and looks into my hazel eyes.

"I know a lot has happened over the years, but when you're up to it, maybe we can get together and talk. How long will you be in town for?"

Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath, and shake my head. “Colton, we have nothing to discuss.”

Standing, he glares down at me through empty eyes. “Carly Jo, I ain’t gonna upset you anymore. You’ve had enough to deal with for one day. But you can bet your sweet ass, this conversation is long from bein’ over. I’ll see you later this week, before you leave.” He nods, then strides off carelessly down the steps, to his pickup truck. How can he think we have anything to talk about? He walked away from me. Is he delusional? I owe him nothing. Hopefully I can avoid him while I’m here, then once I go home, I’ll never have to face Colton Weston again.

Savannah comes out of the church, just as Colton drives away. “Are ya ok? You’ve been out here for a while. You need to try to eat somethin’. I know you’re probably overwhelmed with seein’ all these old faces, but you don’t need to go so long without eatin’.”

Geez she’s a thorn in my side! Stop with the mothering already, I just want to scream at her. But I smile, and nod instead.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t expect to see Colton here. Come on, let’s go inside.” I walk up the steps, and into the church as she gathers the twins.

The next morning, Savannah and I meet with the lawyers to go over the terms of Daddy’s will. To my surprise, Josh, Savannah’s husband just happens to be available. Yeah, son of a bitch couldn’t be at the funeral to pay his respects, or support Savannah, but the greedy jackass sure is here today to see what he can sink his claws into! I already have a strong dislike for this man.

We all sit around a long rectangular table, and listen to James McCoy, Daddy’s attorney, and old friend read the will.

“Girls, before I get started on the reading of Big John’s will, I just want to extend my deepest sympathies to you both. He was always a good man. I had the privilege of working with him for the last thirty or so years, and was proud to call him my friend.”

“Thank you James, we both greatly appreciate that.” Savannah replies.

“Now, let’s get started, shall we? Now you both know your father was a very wealthy man. Along with sole proprietorship of Simon Energy Incorporated, he was also the partner to several lucrative businesses, Dalton Trucking, Braxton Excavating, just to name a few. His total net worth at the time of his death was fifty-five million dollars plus assets.

“The partnership accounts will be sold, and the profits will be set aside into trust accounts for Brailee and Braden. Upon graduating high school, their college tuitions will be paid to whichever institution they decide upon, and the remainder of their trusts will be distributed at age twenty-five.

“Savannah Moore, an account has been established in your name with the amount of fifteen million dollars. Your home, vehicles, and all lines of credit have been paid in full. In addition, he has left the beach home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to your family, and you are also the beneficiary of a small insurance policy in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars.” He says, nodding to Savannah.

“He has made a generous donation to the following: Williamstown Cancer Center will receive ten million dollars, and American Cancer Research will receive ten million dollars as well.”

While James reads the will, Josh wrings his hands anxiously. Turning to me, James smiles, and finishes the will.

“Carolina Jo Simon, an account has been established in your name as well, in the amount of fifteen million dollars. You will receive the remainder of your Daddy’s estate. His home here in Williamstown, his beach home in St. Johns’ Island, South Carolina, and vehicles. Also, you are now the Sole Proprietor of Simon Energy. You are expected to take over the position of CEO of Simon Energy immediately.”

Frozen in fear, I pray that I heard James wrong. There is no way in hell Daddy left the mines to me. James speaks up, trying to regain my attention.

“Carly, I am sure this is completely unexpected, but your father was very adamant in his decision. We have already taken care of setting up a class for you to get your underground certification. It isn’t truly necessary, being that you are the CEO to have your underground certification, but Big John wants Simon Energy to continue to run, just as it did when he was alive. It’s a precautionary measure, just in case of a safety issue or inspection. But you have Superintendents and Foremen that do all of the heavy lifting. It’s just how he did things.”

“I'm sorry, James, I'm still in shock that Daddy left the mines to me. Why would he think I could operate the mines? I operate a hotel, but there is so much that goes into operating a coal mines, so much I don’t know! Are you sure he wasn’t delusional when he wrote his will? We hadn’t spoken in seven years. None of this makes sense!”

“Carly, you can do this, Daddy always had faith in you. You are the strong Simon, remember that.” Savannah says, rubbing my wrist. I stand to pace the floor. I’m not sure whether I am scared, mad, or both.

James leans back in his chair, and laces his fingers behind his head, propping his feet up on the table, laughing at my anxiety attack. “Big John had confidence in you. Even when you were knee high to a duck’s tail, he said you were a strong, independent gal. You’ll learn the day to day operations in no time, and you have a good team of miners.”

“I’m not a damn coal miner! I’m just happy living a simple life with my toes in the sand, not covered in coal, busting my ass to keep his damn empire afloat. Those damn miners ain’t gonna be too happy with Big John’s daughter bossin’ ‘em around! Just sell Simon Energy. I’ll split the profit with Savannah, and be on my way back to South Carolina.”

I notice shock in Savannah’s face, but eagerness in Josh’s. Damn asshole.

“Big John wanted you to carry on his legacy at Simon Energy. He wants the company to remain in the family, so it can be passed on through the years. You owe it to him, Carly Jo. Your daddy was a hard ass. His men knew that his orders were to be followed promptly and with perfection. They’ll do just fine with the transition of you preceding Big John.”

“Yeah, Daddy was a hard ass, and most of his miners hated his damn guts. How is being a hard ass gonna help me in operating five frickin’ coal mines! This is a huge ass empire, not some rinky dink hotel, James!” I sneer at his condescending tone. Sensing my frustration, James takes a deep breath, before startling me with his loud outburst.

“Because you are a SIMON. Coal mining is in your blood, whether you are a woman or not. There is never room for error in the mines, too many lives at stake. That is why you must stay firm, and be the hard ass your Daddy always was.”