Read Online ABANDON ALL HOPE: The Hope Brother Series (Book Two) by Honey Palomino - Free Book Online Page A

was a good man, and loved by many in this town.”
    “He was old and it was his time to go,” he said, dismissing me.  “I barely knew him.”
    “He was your mother’s brother?”  I asked.  “We didn’t know he had any relatives outside of his wife and son.”
    “Yes,” he replied, turning slightly towards me finally.  “They hated each other, from what I hear.”
    “Oh, that’s too bad,” I said, looking over at Johnson, silently pleading for a little help.
    “Gentleman, we’re here today to discuss the details of LaCroix’s estate,” Johnson began.  “As I mentioned to you both previously, the Hope’s were close friends with Olly, and he generously helped them out when they hit a rough patch with the farm.”
    I nodded, stealing a sideways glance at Lincoln, but he sat stone-faced and staring at Johnson again.
    “Crit’s parents were lost in a tragic accident a year ago, and they were unable to pay back Olly’s loan before they passed,” Johnson continued.  “So, that brings us here today to try to come to some sort of amicable agreement to rectify this situation.”
    “As you know, Lincoln, your uncle left a sizable inheritance to you, since your mother has passed as well, and you are the sole remaining heir.  This includes all proceeds from his portfolio of stocks and bonds, and his hundred and fifty acre estate that borders the Hope’s farm.”
    “Yes, I understand that,” Lincoln replied, looking down at his watch.  “Can we speed this up? I have a conference call in an hour.”
    “Of course,” Johnson replied.  “Everything is very cut and dry, except for this one issue of the Hope’s farm.  I called this meeting today with the hope of working out an agreement between the two of you to either forgive the loan completely, or work out some other mutually agreeable arrangement.”
    “How big is this farm?” Lincoln asked.
    “Not big at all, honestly,” I replied.  “Five acres, which includes our house, crops, horse barn and pasture.”
    “How much was this loan my uncle gave them and how much is still owed?” Lincoln asked Johnson, ignoring me completely.
    “Well, sir, Olly lent the Hopes one hundred thousand dollars.  None of it has been paid back.”
    “Not a penny?” Lincoln asked.
    “No, sir.  The Hopes had every intention of paying it back, though.  They just hadn’t been able to get back on their feet just yet, but I know if they were alive, they would make good on their promise as soon as they were able.”
    “So the Hope farm is mine, then, too?” Lincoln asked.  My stomach sank at his question and I knew exactly where this conversation was headed.  I sat silently listening to the two of them, my head spinning.
    “Technically, yes, but as I said, the Hope’s died in a car accident a year ago, and Crit and his siblings have been running the farm themselves.  It’s an active farm, and Crit is doing a wonderful job taking care of everything.”
    “Well, isn’t that adorable?” he asked, finally looking - no, sneering - at me.  
    “Lincoln, now like I said, I know we got off on the wrong foot at Norma’s.  But I’m willing to sweep all of that under the rug and figure something out between the two of us.”
    “You are, are you?” he scoffed, before turning back to Johnson.  “This all seems pretty clear to me.  If they give me the hundred thousand, plus interest, of course, then they can have their farm.”
    “Lincoln, with all due respect, your uncle would never make a demand like that.”
    “No?  Perhaps that’s why he wasn’t very successful in business, then, wouldn’t you say?  You can’t just go around giving loans and then not doing anything about it when they don’t pay it back.”
    “My parents were good friends with your uncle,” I said. “This wasn’t just a normal business transaction.”
    “Yeah, well, that’s all good, but now it is.”
    “Would you accept payments?” Johnson asked.
    “I think we’re way