“I couldn’t.”
“Bullshit, Frank. Don’t let your pride cause you to make a shitty decision.”
He jerked.
“Let me help you.” Even as I said it, I wondered how much money we were talking about. I was considered wealthy, but all my money was tied up in my land, my business, and a trust my aunt left me. I didn’t have a lot of liquid assets I could use to help him.
“I owe too much, Mo.”
“I don’t care. There’s no way I’m going to let Stark take your land.” I withheld the part about not wanting a landfill or treatment plant as my neighbor. I shuddered at how much my land would devalue if that happened. Plus, there was a potential health risk to my cattle.
“I don’t have much time. I need to sell soon, or I lose everything.”
“I’ll figure something out, but you have to promise not to sell to Stark. I mean it, Frank.”
“I owe too much not to sell to whoever will buy.”
Fuck.
“Also, Brooke doesn’t know,” he said, looking agonized. “Please don’t tell her.”
“She’s going to know when Stark bulldozes your home, Frank.” I was trying not to be exasperated with him, but it was hard. “He’s not going to live here and work the land.”
“I just need time.”
I heard a movement behind me. Turning, I saw Brooke standing in the kitchen entryway with tears in her eyes.
I looked at Frank. “I think your time just ran out.”
6
Brooke
I didn’t usually go home for lunch, but I had finished my current project that morning, and with the mayor away at an opening and Trina being particularly surly today, I decided I could use the time away. Maybe I’d get home when my dad came in for lunch, and we could eat together.
I was surprised and happy to see Mo’s car in front of the house when I pulled in. I hoped it meant he was spending more time with my father, as I knew my father missed their time together. But I also was hoping to visit him outside of the workplace. He was so formal with me at work when he wasn’t able to avoid me. I wanted to have the friendship we’d had before, so hopefully, a lunch break away from the office would allow for that.
I entered the house and heard them back in the kitchen.
“What’s going on, Frank? You know the type of man Stark is. Why would you sell to him?” Mo asked, making me stop. What was my father selling to Mr. Stark? Surely not our home.
“I’m broke, Mo. I have to sell, or the bank will take it, and I’ll have nothing.”
My heart lurched to my throat. Broke? Since when?
“He made me a decent offer. One that would leave something for Brooke and enough for me to live on. I can’t pass it up,” my father finished.
“How did this happen?” Mo asked the question that was ripe in my mind.
“Some poor decisions. Brooke’s college education. A few bad investments.”
Oh God, my education had bankrupted my father? Why didn’t he tell me? I could have gone to a less expensive in-state school. Applied for more scholarships. Taken out a student loan.
“Why didn’t you come to me for help?” Mo asked.
“I couldn’t.”
“Bullshit, Frank. Don’t let your pride cause you to make a shitty decision. Let me help you.”