couldn’t help it. She snickered.
Both heads swiveled toward her. Alan was shocked, Zach looked puzzled.
“I’m sorry, but you just said we have to stay married for one year. There is no way that could possibly be the legal advice you want to give. Especially considering you asked me a bunch of questions that implied I’m some kind of moneygrubbing gold digger looking for a sugar daddy.”
“I’m glad you find this amusing,” Mr. Cwedwick said dryly. “But rest assured, as convoluted as Bruce’s thinking was, this is what’s on the books. You are to remain married for one year. At that point if you’d like to have the marriage dissolved, I will be happy to put the papers through ASAP.”
“And if we do what I think is more prudent and go to another lawyer to deal with this?” Julia asked.
The man glanced at Zach. “I wouldn’t suggest that idea. Your finances are tied up with your partner’s, and under these circumstances, your choice also affects him. I believe Bruce thought that limitation would be a good way to stop your friendship from causing you to make an unwise move, followed by Finn simply bailing you out.”
Zach’s confusion hadn’t faded one bit. He looked as tangled as her brain felt. “So, we have to stay married?”
“Yes.”
Zach shook his head, his gaze meeting Julia’s. “I agree with you. This is pure bullshit. This can’t possibly be true.”
Finally, someone else in the room who wasn’t talking nonsense. “Thank you.”
“That said, I have never known Alan to bullshit before in his life.” Zach made a face. “Mind if I talk to him for a minute by myself? He can throw legal jargon at me, and I can swear in his face easier if you’re not in the room.”
Shoving to her feet felt good as restless energy returned with a vengeance. “Fine. I’ll be outside, communing with nature and discussing with any birds that happen to land within listening distance about how criminally stupid the legal system appears to be.”
Outside, the cool fall air wrapped around her, bringing a certain calm to her fevered thoughts. She wandered to the nearest arena and leaned her elbows on the wooden railing, her gaze drifting over the horses herded together at the far end.
Stay married for a year? Laughable that she’d even heard that come out of the lawyer’s mouth. Zach would figure something out.
She didn’t even know what she was going to do past a month from now. And while she planned to come back to Heart Falls for visits, it was beyond time to accept a position for the coming winter. There’d been one in High River she could take. The town wasn’t that far away, so she could continue to spend time with her sisters.
A soft nudge against her fingers brought her attention back to the arena. The little colt Karen had rescued stood on the other side of the railing, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed Julia’s hands.
“Hey, little guy.” She reached through the fence and caressed the white spot on his brow. Scratching lightly, she eyed him thoughtfully. “You’re looking better than the last time I saw you. Putting on a little weight. Good for you.”
Moonbeam dipped his head then pranced back, almost like a puppy, dancing his front hooves on the ground then spinning away before returning.
Another amazing moment to add to all the others she’d had while in Heart Falls. She would miss it when she was gone.
Julia glanced back at the house where Zach and Alan Cwedwick were visible through the window. Zach must’ve just dragged a hand through his hair because the ends stood tousled in every direction.
This ridiculous situation would be solved, and then she’d be able to move on to her next thing.
Although the teasing thought remained—life’s never that simple.
The instant Julia left the room, Zach thrust out a hand toward Alan. “Okay. Give me the letter.”
Alan shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The urge to snap his fingers was strong. “Bruce always did this. He would come up with these farfetched situations, and then he would write us a damn letter explaining what he was trying to accomplish. It’s exactly what happened with the whole challenge to get the dude ranch running. Hell, he wrote a letter to Karen before he even knew she existed. You can’t tell me there’s no letter from Bruce this time.”
“Oh, there was a letter from Bruce,” Alan agreed.
“Ha.”
“But not for you.”
Zach paused, his hand still hovering in the