papers on the table and extracted a folder. “You can read up about it here if you like.”
“Thank you.” Kaiden took the folder. “This sounds like something my brother’s foundation would love to know about as well.”
“I think Miss Julia said she was going to mention Brooksmiths to them,” Mr. Evans said. “Now, you can’t take that away with you because it’s the only copy I have, but if you want to sit here and read it while I take my nap, be my guest.”
“If you don’t object, I can do better than that.” Kaiden held up his phone. “I can take photos of the pages.”
Mr. Evans shook his head and whistled. “I always forget those things can take pictures. Feel free to go ahead.”
After leaving the Evans place, Kaiden drove to Ben and Silver’s home and parked behind his brother’s truck. Things had been a little awkward when he’d popped in earlier because of what had happened with Julia, but Kaiden was not going to blame Silver for anything she’d said. She’d only been trying to help. What happened after that was totally on him.
As soon as he walked into the kitchen, Silver handed him a mug of coffee. “How did it go?”
“Mr. Evans decided to sell the land to Brooksmiths.”
“Really?” Ben, who was sitting at the countertop using his laptop, looked up. “Did you offer him our foundation’s help to deal with their lawyers?”
“He’s good with it.” Kaiden sat on one of the high-backed chairs at the counter next to his brother. “He wants to be in Bridgeport with his family. He doesn’t have much time left. The money he makes will fund his care and leave plenty for his daughters.”
“That sucks.” Ben grimaced.
“He seemed at peace with it.” Kaiden set his mug down. “He had a long chat with Brooksmiths. From what he told me, he approves of their plans for the ranch. He also said that Julia was great, that she made sure no one was pressuring him to make his decision, and promised to follow through with all his demands and concerns.”
Silver made a face. “I wish I hadn’t said anything even more now if that’s possible.”
“Hey, if Julia had told me Mr. Evans had sold to Brooksmiths I would still have gotten mad at her.” Kaiden sighed. “I guess I was just looking for a reason.”
“Why?” Silver asked.
“Because I didn’t want to deal with all the other stuff,” Kaiden said reluctantly as he studied his mug. “The ‘hey I think we’ve got something real together, and I want to find a way to make it work.’”
It suddenly went very quiet. Eventually, he had to look up.
“What?” Kaiden raised an eyebrow.
“You’re in love with her.” Ben made it a statement rather than a question.
“Yeah, I suppose I am.” Kaiden winced. “Like she’s going to go for me now, after I basically accused her of selling out her father’s ranch.”
“Ouch,” Ben said. “That was a dick move.”
“We survived worse, Ben. I’m sure Kaiden can fix this.” Silver came to stand beside Ben and put her hand on his shoulder. “What are you going to do to make things right?”
“I’m working on that.” Kaiden drank more coffee. “Julia said she might talk to me in a couple of years if I get my shit sorted out.”
“That’s hopeful,” Ben commented as he fought a smile.
“I’m thinking if I can show her that I worked out what was going on between Miguel, Blaine, and the rest of the family she might appreciate it.”
“She’s a lawyer, so yeah.” Ben nodded. “Might as well try and do something smart for a change.”
Kaiden shot his brother a glare. “Julia mentioned that someone from MZB contacted her mother in Guatemala about her interest in the ranch.”
“Her mother?” Silver asked. “I didn’t realize Julia was still in contact with her.”
“They all are. Lupita and Juan never got divorced, they just separated. Lupita’s a doctor. She runs a children’s clinic. I’m hoping Juan still has her phone number so I can give her a call. I bet it was Blaine who wrote to her.”
“So, your stupid plan is you’re going to present Julia with all the facts and ask her to judge you?” Ben asked, the skepticism on his face highly visible.
“Yeah, so she knows I finally get it.” Kaiden nodded. “And then, when she forgives me, I’m going to follow up with the whole love thing.”
“Good luck, Bro.” Ben grinned and reached over to shake his hand. “You’re so going to need it.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Julia?”