Page 25 of Maggie’s Match

Rick burst out laughing and laid his arm over Becca’s shoulder as they walked towards Maggie’s Jeep. “Now I remember why I like you so much,” he said as Maggie followed.

“I seem to remember you peeling out plenty of times in your gas guzzler,” Maggie said, motioning towards his truck.

“Yeah, but that was for fun, not to impress a woman,” he countered.

“Right.” Maggie’s eyes narrowed as she raced to catch up with them.

Before they could climb into their own vehicles, Becca’s phone rang. He and Maggie stood by her Jeep while she took the call.

“You did that on purpose,” he said softly. “To get back at me.”

“What?” she asked, but he could see the truth in her eyes.

“Playing games isn’t your forte.”

Maggie surprised him by moving a step closer and lowering her voice.

“No, it’s more your style.” Her eyes moved quickly to his lips, then back up. “I like Royce,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You just don’t like it that I haven’t spent the last year pining away for you like always.”

He wanted to deny it, but it was the truth, so he shrugged.

“There’s something about the guy I don’t like.” He glanced over to where Becca was hanging up the phone. “What do you know about Royce?”

Becca frowned. “Not much. He recently moved back into town. I heard he has family here, but I don’t know who they are. I wonder if he was a few years ahead of me in school, because I don’t remember him.” She shrugged and frowned. “Since I was away at college, I haven’t paid much attention to the gossip in the past few years.”

“I’m sure there’s nothing nefarious about him,” Maggie said. “Now, you can follow us over to the lot.” She climbed into her Jeep. “And stay out of my love life,” she added as she shut her Jeep door.

As he followed Maggie’s Jeep to the lot, he couldn’t stop thinking about the guy. By the time they reached the outskirts of town and the empty lot, he was positive the man was hiding something bad.

After parking, he shot his uncle Wes a text message asking him to look into the guy. Since all he had was a first name, he doubted his uncle would get very far.

Then he turned his attention to the vacant lot. It was almost half an acre and sat just off the main road that led from the highway into town. The location couldn’t have been more perfect.

It was a grassy, flat lot with a few large trees off the back of it. It should be easy enough to get the building on it, and there would still be plenty of room left over for a parking lot.

This was a far better option than the small rental building and a much better location. Cancelling their lease was a smart decision.

He stood back and listened as the cousins dreamed while they walked around the lot. Maggie called her mother and had to leave a voice mail.

“I want to know now,” Becca sighed. “What about getting out of the lease?” she asked him.

He pulled out his phone and called his uncle. He put him on speaker phone and listened as he explained that he’d filed the necessary paperwork to get them out of the contract.

“You are well within your rights to cancel,” his uncle said. “Thankfully, there’s a clause that allows you to withdraw within thirty days of signing the lease. You’re just over twelve days, so you’re within that time frame. Say the word and I’ll send the paperwork certified mail today.”

“Word,” Becca and Maggie said at the same time, causing him and his uncle to chuckle.

“Consider it done,” Grant replied. “Let me know if Mrs. Tillerson stops by with any more papers for you to sign before I have the proof that she’s signed the termination of lease agreement.”

“That’s it?” Maggie asked. “We’re free to do whatever we want now?”

“Yes, your mother has some good news. I think she was going to be calling you any minute,” Grant added. “If you need me for anything else…” Just then Maggie’s phone rang and she squealed.

“Thanks,” Rick said quickly and hung up.

“It’s my mother,” she said before answering. Maggie put this call on speaker too.

“Well, the owners have accepted your offer with a few conditions. First, they want the deposit to be paid by the end of the week. Second, they want you to sign an agreement that you’ll hold onto the land for at least five years.”