problem?”
“Nothing. Can you, um…send me over the details of the buyer?”
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks. I’ll catch up with you after the weekend.”
Burke ended the call and fell back onto the bed with a groan. How many times had he told himself to shoot Greg a simple text about the property? Why had he waited until he got to the cabin to do it?
He’d been too busy courting a woman he was about to, inadvertently, screw over in a big way.
He scrambled for a defense, but there was none. He should have prevented this. He should have understood that improbable did not mean impossible. The effects of his carelessness chanced hurting everyone he cared about.
Justine, with the sale of land she held dear. A muddied view of the stars she cherished. And possible contamination of the very air she breathed.
And the Bentons…here they were, putting themselves out there, all so he felt like one of them. What if this whole thing blew up somehow? The media could take it and run, exposing the jerk who purchased and sold the falls of Piney Falls. And the fake engagement too—all of it involving none other than the new Benton brother.
With what felt like a boulder in his heart, Burke forced himself to get ready for the event. On the drive there, he’d try contacting someone at D & L Factories himself. Though he knew firsthand that—if the owner had enough money—he could make that nearly impossible.
Still, Burke was determined that—whatever he had to do—whatever it took—he would secure the property and preserve it for the people of Piney Falls. If he didn’t, Justine would never forgive him.
“Hey, Justine.”
The sound of Lenny Foster’s voice stopped Justine in her tracks as she headed out of the city building. The last thing she wanted to do was get stuck at the office for a minute more; she had only an hour to get ready for tonight’s event as it was. Playing catch up after being gone most of the week hadn’t been as easy as she’d thought. And even still, she hadn’t even gotten to her paper filing or her mail inbox.
“Did you hear that Billy Ingles’ grandson gave the property up?”
Justine froze in place. She needed no elaboration on the property he was referring to. The Ingles family had owned a massive piece of Piney Falls since the town was established long ago, part of which contained none other than the town’s very own falls.
She winced. “No. Why?”
“Money, I guess. He held out for the waiting time stipulated in the will, but as soon as that passed…” He shrugged.
“Shoot. Can we put in a bid for the falls at least?” she asked.
But Lenny shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s already been sold. Over a month ago, now.”
“To who?” Desperation shot through her as she imagined the site being leveled for a slab of concrete beside a shopping center.
Lenny held her gaze for a blink, deep lines forming between his eyes as he shook his head. “You don’t happen to…know anything about it, do you?”
Justine studied him for a blink, baffled by the odd question. “Should I?”
The look turned disbelieving next as he gave her a sideways glance.
She shrugged. “Spit it out, Lenny. What am I supposed to know?”
“Nothing.” He stepped back and gave her a nod. “Sorry. I just thought you should know that someone bought it. That’s all.”
“But you don’t know who,” she pressed.
His expression was more resolved now as he shook his head. “A private entity. One that has the reputation for turning the land around for a quick sale.”
“Well, good. When it goes up on the market again, let’s see if the town can’t buy it back. Or at least preserve the falls.”
“Right.” Lenny tucked his hands in his pockets. “Good idea.”
She watched as he tugged open the door and stepped outside. Beyond the glass, the rec department bustled about the tall tree on City Square, adorning its branches with finishing touches.
“Great,” she mumbled. “I take a few days off and the whole town falls apart.” Only that wasn’t exactly the case, seeing that Bill’s grandson had sold the property over a month ago. So why in the world was Lenny only telling her about it then?
She pictured the many hours she’d spent at the falls as a child. Swinging over the creek while daydreaming of happier times. It had been like a sanctuary for her, a place she could let out her tears without Grams or Gramps seeing them.
Later, Justine. She didn’t have