by Kay Correll
“I pulled your grandfather’s file when you called this morning,” the lawyer said. “It looks like my father drew up an amended trust for your grandfather. The will says that when he died, the property goes to the trust. I read through the original will and the original trust documents, but I don’t have a copy of the amended trust for some reason. Just my father’s notes that he was amending it. It’s a bit strange that there’s not a copy in the file.”
“Do you know what changed?” Harrison frowned.
“No, not exactly. I don’t think it could have been changed much. There’s a note in here about descendants. That’s about all. And there’s a copy of the bill for Dad’s services, and it wasn’t much. So I don’t think it was a total rewrite. Doesn’t anyone in your family have a copy of the trust agreement?”
“Not that I know of.”
The lawyer looked at him. “Is this about Walter wanting to sell the cabin and the property? I know he got the area rezoned, and rumor has it he’s got a buyer who wants to put up condos.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Is there a problem?”
Other than the fact that his mother wasn’t going to want to sign on the sale if she heard that the property was going to be sold for condos and probably the cabin torn down in the process? Or that feeling that Walt wasn’t giving his mother a fair deal?
“That’s what I’m trying to find out. Thanks for your time.” Harrison stood.
Time to do more digging around and find out just what Walt was up to.
And, just as importantly, he also wanted to go and find Nora. It was time he told her why he was really in town. Now that they’d gotten close, he didn’t want them to have any secrets.
Annie walked Nora outside after their chat. Nora felt better after talking to Annie, which didn’t surprise her. Her friend had a way of always making her feel better.
“You call me if you want to talk some more.” Annie stood outside beside the door.
“I will. But I’m fine, really.”
Annie didn’t look convinced.
“I will be fine. Just need some time to sort things out.”
“You mean admit you care about Harrison.”
“I don’t—” Nora glanced behind Annie. “Sh! He’s coming down the sidewalk.”
“Who? Harrison?” Annie turned, and a wide smile spread across her face. She waved to him. “Hey, Harrison.”
He looked up and smiled back. “Hello, ladies.”
“You coming for that cup of coffee I promised you?”
“I was actually looking for—” He paused, a look of surprise on his face as he studied the sidewalk behind them.
Nora turned to see what had drawn his attention. Walter Dobbs came lumbering toward them, waving a sheaf of paper in his hands, and he didn’t look happy.
“Nora, what is this nonsense? Trying to get signatures to have the town council—” Walter stopped mid-sentence.
Did no man know how to finish their sentences in this town?
“Harrison?” Walter stilled the waving papers, and a frown creased his face. “It is you, isn’t it?”
“Walt.” Harrison’s voice was flat.
Nora looked from Harrison to Dobbs and back to Harrison. “You two know each other?”
“I’ll say.” Walt clapped Harrison on the back like they were old friends. “This here is my cousin.”
Nora took a step back. Harrison and Dobbs were cousins? She glanced at Harrison, but he still looked a bit stunned.
“I didn’t know you were in town. Why didn’t you tell me? Why aren’t you staying at the cabin? Plenty of room.” Walt grabbed Harrison’s hand and pumped it in greeting.
Harrison recovered. “I’m staying at the lodge, didn’t want to impose. Just got to town.”
Nora looked at Harrison. As if a week was considered just getting to town…
“Well, okay. But the offer still stands. Why don’t you at least come over for drinks this evening? We can get caught up. Say, how is Aunt Ellen doing? Did she get those papers I sent her?”
“She did.” Harrison’s voice was tight and his eyes narrowed.
“Well, good, good. Let’s see if we can get this business all wrapped up.”
Her mind swirled with information and confusion. She turned to Harrison. “You and Walter are cousins?”
“Sure are.” Walter nodded vigorously.
“But you’re not a Dobbs.”
“His mother is. His mother and my father were siblings.” Walter grinned his politically correct grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“So…” She stood tall, anger racing through her. She balled her hands into fists. “So you’ve come to town to sign the papers to sell the Dobbs property? That’s why you’re here?” She felt Annie’s hand on her arm in silent support. “All this time… it wasn’t about…” She stopped herself before she said it wasn’t about her. She’d been foolish enough. “You’re just here to learn about selling your property? That’s why you asked me out. That’s why you asked so many questions about the lake and the town. You acted all interested and charming, but you were just using me.”
He wasn’t interested in her. He was here to sell the land and let the condo complex take over the lake. Heck, he probably had a motorboat he wanted to launch on the lake.
She’d been such a naive fool. And she didn’t suffer fools lightly.
“Nora, no, it’s not like that.” He could see the anger plainly etched on her face. And he couldn’t blame her. It did kind of seem like he’d set out to trick her. But he hadn’t. He just wanted to learn all he could before Walt found out he was in town. And for Pete’s sake, he’d been on his way right now to tell her why he was here.
“I—”
Nora held up a hand. “Don’t bother. When I asked you why you were in town? That would have been a good time to tell me the truth.”
“I know, I should have, but—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I can’t abide by liars. Especially ones who deliberately set out to deceive me. No wonder you asked so many questions about the lake and the town.”
“Nora—”
She held up her hand again. “Don’t.” She turned to Annie. “I’m headed back to the lodge.”
With that, she turned around and stalked off down the sidewalk, the unmistakable set of her shoulders and the firmness of her steps telling him all he needed to know about how she felt about him.
Annie turned to him, and for the first time he saw a decidedly unfriendly look on her face. “I’m so disappointed. I just didn’t expect this from you. Nora was beginning to… well, never mind. I’m going back to work.” With that. she slipped into Bookish Cafe.
He guessed the offered cup of coffee was off the table now. He sighed, angry at himself for making such a mess of things.
Walt looked at him. “You went out with Nora? That was a mistake. She’s nothing but trouble.” He shook his head. “Anyway, you want to come over for that drink this evening?”
“Sure, why not?”
He watched while Walt headed down the sidewalk. Walt, all friendly and chummy like they’d actually been friends. Like what had happened all those years ago hadn’t really happened.
He stood alone on the sidewalk and raked his hands through his hair. He’d messed this one up. His timing was terrible. If only he could’ve explained things to her before they ran into Walt. Just when he’d started to have feelings for Nora. Exactly what feelings, he wasn’t quite sure, but he’d hoped to find out.
Not much chance of that now, and he didn’t blame her a bit.
Walt always had a way of screwing up his life.
He sighed. Okay, this time he had to take some of the blame for this mess himself.
Chapter 16
“Mom, you here?” Nora turned from the stack of dishes in the sink at the sound of Beth’s voice. She sighed and put on a smile. No use dragging anyone else into her troubles. Annie had called twice, but Nora hadn’t answered. She just didn�
�t feel like talking to anyone right now. But Beth was here, so she’d pretend.
“In the kitchen.” She reached for a towel to dry her hands. She’d come home from her run-in with Harrison and decided it was time to wash every glass in her kitchen. She’d almost completed the task and was considering washing windows next…
Beth entered the kitchen and dropped her purse and jacket on a chair. “So… how did it go?”
“How did what go?”
“Mom! Your date with Harrison yesterday. I want details. Well, not all the details. Just some of them.”
“It was fine. We went to Harmony Haven Inn and had a nice brunch.”
“And that’s all? Did he ask you out again?”
“No, and if he did, I’d turn him down.” Nora precisely folded the dishtowel.
“Oh, you didn’t have a good time? I’m surprised. Mac said he seemed like a nice guy. I was hoping… Oh, never mind.” Beth hugged her. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.” And she had been until Harrison had come into her world and turned it upside down. Now she had to scramble to get her footing back. But her daughter didn’t need to know any of that.
“You know what I mean.”
Nora ignored the remark and straightened a stack of papers on the table.
“Okay, I get it. You don’t want to talk about it.” Beth rested a hand on the back of a kitchen chair.
Nora couldn’t decide if Beth was going to sit down, and she probably should ask her to, but she just wanted time alone.
Beth continued, “I heard that Dobbs is livid about the petition for the council to review their zoning decision.”
“So I heard. Ran into him this morning and he didn’t look pleased.”
“Do you think you’ll get enough signatures for them to reconsider?”
“It’s not looking like we will.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. Maybe Walt won’t get that signature that rumor says he needs.”
“Oh, I think he will.” Nora moved around the table straightening the chairs.
“Why do you think that?”
Nora looked at Beth and sighed. “Because Harrison is Walt’s cousin. He’s in town to sign the papers.”
“Oh, Mom.” Beth came around the table and put her arms around her.
“I’ve tried everything I can think of to stop this from happening. I guess I’m just going to have to adjust to the reality.”
“So Harrison told you he was Walt’s cousin? That’s why you won’t go out with him again?”
“No, he omitted that detail. But we ran into Dobbs in town and the secret is out now.”
Beth frowned. “Well, better you found out before things got serious between you two.”
It would have been better if she’d known the truth from the beginning. If she’d known the truth before they went on a date. If she’d known the truth before he’d kissed her…
She decided it was time to change the subject. “So, I hear Sophie is coming to town this weekend with Chase to do a concert for the Autumn Arts Weekend.”
“She is. I’ve missed her so much. I’m actually headed out to meet her this evening and Mac is watching the boys.”
“I didn’t think she’d miss an Autumn Arts Weekend since she basically ran them each year.”
“She did her best to run things long distance this year. And Hunt and Keely helped out a lot. Between them helping at her gallery and helping with the festival, I’m not sure what she would have done without them.”
“I heard they might buy a cabin here. They said they’d still return to Comfort Crossing soon, but they’d vacation at the cabin here plus come back so Hunt can continue working on his photography project.”
“Sophie will be sorry to see them leave, but at least she has Melissa to run the gallery when she’s out on the road with Chase. She said they were going to try to cut back a bit on the traveling for a while. She sounded tired the last few times I talked to her.”
“I heard one of Sophie and Chase’s new songs playing on the radio this morning.”
“Who knew my best friend would become a famous country singer?” Beth grinned. “Good thing she still talks to the little folk like me.”
“As if Sophie would ever think she was better than anyone else. She’s the most down-to-earth person I’ve met.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see her and catch up on everything.”
“I’m sure I’ll see her at the festival this weekend.”
“She got tickets for all of us for the concert. Front row. Do you want to meet us there? Or we could pick you up.”
“I’ll meet you in town. Maybe half an hour before it starts?”
“Sounds good.” Beth picked up her coat. “Well, I just wanted to check on you. I better run. Don’t want to be late meeting Sophie.”
“Tell her I said hi and I’ll see her this weekend.”
“Will do.” Beth walked out the door, and Nora was strangely comforted by the twist their conversation had taken. Just normal talk. Familiar talk about Beth’s best friend and one of Sweet River Falls’ many festivals.
Normal.
Maybe her life could get back to just simple, familiar normal.
After Beth left, Nora decided that the windows did need cleaning. She got the window cleaner and a cloth and started to work. Outside windows first. Maybe some fresh air would do her good. Though she doubted it.
She turned as she heard a car pull up to the cabin. Annie, of course.
“You wouldn’t pick up.” Annie crossed the distance and climbed onto the porch, lounging against the railing.
“Sorry. I should have. That was rude.”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Just feeling a bit like a fool.”
“You’re not a fool.”
“Annie, he was just spending time with me to get information about the lake and the area. He’s here to sell his portion. I’m a fool for thinking I had any feelings for him. He was just using me.” She scrubbed at an imaginary spot on the window.
“I repeat, you’re not a fool. He’s a cad.”
“Well, I am foolish. Here I was feeling all guilty about feelings for Harrison mixed up with my feelings for Ronnie and all that angst for nothing.”
“You know what you need?”
“What?”
“A nice glass of wine with your best friend.” Annie walked over and took the window cleaner out of her hand.
“I should go help with the dinner rush.”
“You’ll call over and say you’re not coming over tonight. They can handle it without you.”
“But… Nick will be expecting you at home.”
“I already called him and told him I’ll be late. Don’t argue with me. You know I’ll win.”
Nora gave her a weak smile. “You always do.”
They entwined their arms and walked into the cabin, Nora grateful for the support of her friend, as always.
Linda sat on the porch of her cabin, going through the file she’d brought with her. Reading document after document. So much had changed in her life with the reading of those pages. She wasn’t certain what she was going to do now.
Except stay away from that cabin across the lake. She didn’t need Harrison to go and call the police on her.
She had enough problems right now. Enough complications in her life. Everything she’d been certain was a truth in her life had turned out to be lies. So many lies.
The now-familiar wave of sadness washed over her. She missed her parents, and it was always a dull ache in her soul now.
But she was also so very angry at them.
And they weren’t here for her to yell at or for them to explain.
She looked down at the documents, almost ready to crumple them into a ball and throw them away.
But that would not erase the truth…
She looked across the distance and saw Harrison walking beside the lake. She grabbed the papers and slipped into the ca
bin before he could spy her. No use bringing more trouble her way.
“Sophie, you look exhausted.” Beth still held her friend in a tight hug.
Sophie pulled away. “I’m okay. It’s just tiring being on the road all the time. Different hotel every night. Planes. Trains. Buses. It takes some time to get used to it, I guess.”
Beth frowned looking at the dark circles under Sophie’s eyes. “You’ve lost weight. Too much.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. And Chase says we’re going to cut back. We’re actually planning on being back here for Christmas. I can’t wait to be in Sweet River Falls for the holidays.”
“Well, that will be great.” Beth hugged her again. “Now, come on. We’re going to Antonio’s, and we’re going to eat way too much and catch up on everything.”
They walked arm and arm to their favorite restaurant, and Antonio enveloped Sophie in a hug as soon as he saw them. “There you are, my favorite famous singer. We’ve missed you.”
“Cut it out.” Sophie grinned as she hugged him back.
“I have your favorite table. Come on. Dinner is on me tonight.”
They ordered margaritas and settled into the booth.
“So what’s new with Mac and you?” Sophie slipped off her leather jacket—one Beth hadn’t seen before—and dropped it onto the seat beside her. She had on designer jeans and some obviously new red cowboy boots. Of course, her friend would have new expensive clothes now. She was famous.
Beth looked down at her years-old golden-yellow sweater and jeans. Her own favorite cowboy boots poked out, in need of a good cleaning. She comforted herself with the fact that Mac had told her he loved that sweater on her and that it brought out the sparkles in her eyes.
“Beth?”
“Oh, yes. Mac and I are doing great. We’re all adjusting to living together. The boys adore him. I’m surprised he hasn’t been overwhelmed with all the changes, but he takes the boys and their constant energy and noise in stride.”
“Well, you look happy.” Sophie nodded approvingly.
