The Parker Inheritance

As she thinks about the possibilities contained in the letter’s mystery, Candice realizes that if she got the inheritance, it might be enough to stop her family from moving. She also thinks she must keep it a secret. Even though she isn’t ready to tell Brandon yet, she still asks him what he knows about the Washington and Allen families. He explains that an anonymous rich man paid to keep the local library from being named “The Allen Library.”

When Brandon offers to leave, Candice is lost in thought, puzzling over this information; she then shoves the letter into his hands. Even though she doesn’t “know if she could trust him… she wanted to” (35). Brandon picks up on a clue that the letter refers directly to Abigail Caldwell’s grandchild, rather than grandchildren, implying that the letter writer knew about Candice’s existence. 

Brandon brings Candice to his house so that they can try to talk to his grandfather about the Allen and Washington families. Before they get a chance, Brandon’s sister Tori comes into the kitchen; Candice thinks she looks “amazing” (37). Tori asks Brandon about the scratches on his face and says that she’ll talk to the lead bully Milo’s older sister.