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“What happened here?”
“Boris got spooked by the thunder and made a run for it in that empty field,” I explain.
“I see.” He looks at me from head to toe. “Do you guys want a lift back?”
“No, we’ll get your seats all dirty.”
“I don’t care. Come on, climb in.”
The added security of his truck does make it so that another uncontrollable outburst from Boris is impossible, so I agree. It’s truly a miracle that the two of us AND this massive dog AND the groceries all squeeze into his truck. And I’m extra glad he doesn’t have his sporty little car here today.
Then, at home, after Mina and the dog are hosed off and inside the house, I take a moment to just breathe.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“Honestly? Not really.” I pick up one of the bags and take out a completely soiled item. “What a waste of money.”
“It’s a bunch of grapes. How much can they cost? A few dollars at the most.”
“Well, for some, that’s a lot of money.”
“Weren’t you just recently an attorney?”
“Yes, but as it turns out, taking care of an elderly grandfather and an even older house costs a lot of money.”
“How bad is it?” he asks, suddenly very serious.
Tears are starting to form in the corner of my eyes.
“Bad,” I respond after sniffling.
“Like bankruptcy territory?”
“No, thank goodness. Not there—yet.”
“Well, that’s good.”
I’m shivering, and he offers me his jacket. I accept it, but I also tell him I’ll have it cleaned before getting it back to him.
Then, he grabs my hand and squeezes it. “It’s going to be okay. You know, I could always buy your house and take it off your hands. I know you just moved in, but…”
His words make my sadness quickly change to anger, and I rip away from him. “So, it’s true then? That’s been your plan all along?”
“What? No—”
“Stop with the lying. I’m not as stupid as you obviously think I am.”
He takes a deep sigh. “I don’t think you’re stupid.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mae”
“Just tell me the truth. Once and for all. The confusion is honestly exhausting.”
“I want to sell both my plot and yours and build condos here,” he blurts out, amazing even me.
I’m quiet as I process everything. “Wow. And you’ve been plotting that since the moment you realized that my grandfather beat you out in getting the land?”
