Read Online A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) by Cathy Bryant - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Cathy Bryant
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was much too dangerous to be in such close proximity to him on a regular basis. “I’ll forfeit my half and give it to Chance.”
His mouth agape, Chance yanked his head her direction. “You would do that?”
She didn’t make eye contact, but nodded. Yes, she would do that. For him. And for her confused and bruised heart. Under the conditions of the will, it was the best alternative.
Andy exchanged a knowing glance with Grace, then leaned back in his chair. “J.C. thought that might be your response.”
A bucket of shame rained down on Dakota’s head. The kind old man had known her better than she knew herself. He'd known her tendency to run when her heart was at stake, and had guessed she’d make a run for it again. What was it he’d said during their almost-lunch together? Something about not giving her the farm until he was satisfied she wouldn’t run away.
She looked into Andy’s ocean-colored eyes. To her right, Chance’s intense gaze continued to bore a hole in her. At least Grace Tyler had the graciousness to look down at the table to spare her further embarrassment.
Andy sent a reassuring smile. “He made a contingency in the will that if either of you opted to forfeit your portion of the farm…” He shifted his gaze to Chance. “…or the financial responsibility that goes along with it, the property would immediately be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
The blood drained from her face, then resurged to a furious boil. “Over my dead body.”
Andy laughed out loud, his dimples pronounced. “J.C. called that one, too.” He lifted his face to the ceiling. “Atta boy, J.C.” He chuckled again and then returned to lawyer mode with a straightening of his tie--and his smirk. “Anyway, where were we?”
“I think we just co-inherited a dilapidated farmhouse and overgrown farm.” Chance’s tone was devoid of inflection. “A money pit if there ever was one.”
“Money shouldn’t be an issue.” Confidence flowed from Andy. Your grandfather left plenty for the work on the farm. If you’re frugal, you might even have some left. Chance, in addition he left you some extra money and a letter, which we'll discuss after Dakota leaves.”
Chance leaned forward, eyes bulging from their sockets. “Let me get this straight. I inherit money I could use to pay off my student loans and get the family drugstore up and running again, and I have to spend it on a farm I don’t even want?”
Andy cleared his throat and swallowed. “That pretty much sums it up. Of course, Dakota will be expected to contribute as well, as she can afford to, that is.”
The room grew both quiet and chilly. If it weren't for the cold glares Chance lobbed her way, Dakota was sure her cheeks would’ve been flaming red. “I’ll do what I can.”
Chance pounded a fist on the table, effectively drawing her attention. His face contorted with anger. “You don’t even have a job!” Each word grew louder and louder, until she actually heard the exclamation point.
She flinched at the blast of hot air that hit her face, then stared him down. “You don’t know anything about me.” Had never really tried to know her actually, especially since the night that forced them apart. He’d formed his opinion, right or wrong, and adhered to it religiously. Like a Pharisee.
His eyes searched hers with such intensity she felt she would melt, but at last he blinked and backed down.
“As I was saying, you'll both contribute as much time, effort, and resources as you can. At the end of all this, one of you can purchase the house from the other if you so choose. And the sooner the house is marketable, the sooner you can go your separate ways.” His voice trailed off momentarily and then he chuckled outright. “That is, if you don’t kill each other first.”
Even the very self-controlled Grace Tyler bit her lips to keep from smiling, but Dakota wasn’t amused even the least little bit. Based on his closed off body
His mouth agape, Chance yanked his head her direction. “You would do that?”
She didn’t make eye contact, but nodded. Yes, she would do that. For him. And for her confused and bruised heart. Under the conditions of the will, it was the best alternative.
Andy exchanged a knowing glance with Grace, then leaned back in his chair. “J.C. thought that might be your response.”
A bucket of shame rained down on Dakota’s head. The kind old man had known her better than she knew herself. He'd known her tendency to run when her heart was at stake, and had guessed she’d make a run for it again. What was it he’d said during their almost-lunch together? Something about not giving her the farm until he was satisfied she wouldn’t run away.
She looked into Andy’s ocean-colored eyes. To her right, Chance’s intense gaze continued to bore a hole in her. At least Grace Tyler had the graciousness to look down at the table to spare her further embarrassment.
Andy sent a reassuring smile. “He made a contingency in the will that if either of you opted to forfeit your portion of the farm…” He shifted his gaze to Chance. “…or the financial responsibility that goes along with it, the property would immediately be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
The blood drained from her face, then resurged to a furious boil. “Over my dead body.”
Andy laughed out loud, his dimples pronounced. “J.C. called that one, too.” He lifted his face to the ceiling. “Atta boy, J.C.” He chuckled again and then returned to lawyer mode with a straightening of his tie--and his smirk. “Anyway, where were we?”
“I think we just co-inherited a dilapidated farmhouse and overgrown farm.” Chance’s tone was devoid of inflection. “A money pit if there ever was one.”
“Money shouldn’t be an issue.” Confidence flowed from Andy. Your grandfather left plenty for the work on the farm. If you’re frugal, you might even have some left. Chance, in addition he left you some extra money and a letter, which we'll discuss after Dakota leaves.”
Chance leaned forward, eyes bulging from their sockets. “Let me get this straight. I inherit money I could use to pay off my student loans and get the family drugstore up and running again, and I have to spend it on a farm I don’t even want?”
Andy cleared his throat and swallowed. “That pretty much sums it up. Of course, Dakota will be expected to contribute as well, as she can afford to, that is.”
The room grew both quiet and chilly. If it weren't for the cold glares Chance lobbed her way, Dakota was sure her cheeks would’ve been flaming red. “I’ll do what I can.”
Chance pounded a fist on the table, effectively drawing her attention. His face contorted with anger. “You don’t even have a job!” Each word grew louder and louder, until she actually heard the exclamation point.
She flinched at the blast of hot air that hit her face, then stared him down. “You don’t know anything about me.” Had never really tried to know her actually, especially since the night that forced them apart. He’d formed his opinion, right or wrong, and adhered to it religiously. Like a Pharisee.
His eyes searched hers with such intensity she felt she would melt, but at last he blinked and backed down.
“As I was saying, you'll both contribute as much time, effort, and resources as you can. At the end of all this, one of you can purchase the house from the other if you so choose. And the sooner the house is marketable, the sooner you can go your separate ways.” His voice trailed off momentarily and then he chuckled outright. “That is, if you don’t kill each other first.”
Even the very self-controlled Grace Tyler bit her lips to keep from smiling, but Dakota wasn’t amused even the least little bit. Based on his closed off body
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