Wrapped in You (The Monroes 1)

Zach pushed off the counter. “The Community Center. Should be done by next week.”

The city council had paid him a nice chunk to add a picturesque patio area that they could rent for receptions or other summer events. His job, to build a large gazebo with curved benches, outdoor seating, and a stone-wall perimeter, was nearly complete. Another reason he wasn’t telling the mayor and his cohorts where to shove their offer.

Between the mayor stealing Braxton’s fiancée a few years ago and Sophie dating one of the city council members, there was no way in hell Zach would willingly negotiate away a piece of property his sister loved. A piece of property she’d invested her life savings into.

“I’ll go find what I need,” he told her. “I’ll just yell if I need help.”

“Heard Liam was in town.” Macy smoothed her straight, black hair back and tucked it behind her ears. “Everything okay?”

Was anything ever okay when his oldest brother was mentioned? Not where Zach was concerned.

“Just wrapping up some legal matters from Chelsea’s estate.”

“She’s going to be missed. I know I already feel a void.” Her brows dipped as concern filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry you guys are going through this, Zach.”

Not wanting any sympathy, Zach shrugged, refusing to discuss such a personal topic in public. “We’ll be fine. Chelsea bought that old historic property on the edge of town, and we just have to figure out what to do with it.”

“And you three aren’t in agreement.”

Zach grunted. “You know us all too well.”

“You guys never change,” she told him with a sigh. “I figure at this point you never will.”

The bell chimed again and Macy greeted a customer who came in and headed toward the back where the pipe was stored.

“What do you want to do with it?” she asked, once the customer was out of earshot.

“Keep it,” Zach stated. “Chelsea wanted the house and I think we need to hang on to it.”

“What do the others say?”

“Liam wants to sell and be done. Braxton hasn’t said one way or another.”

Macy crossed her arms over her chest. “Must be a difficult position for Braxton.”

Zach nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “He wouldn’t say if this bothers him, but I know it does.”

“So what would you do if you kept it?” she asked.

“Still thinking on that one,” he replied, rocking back on his heels. “I better get my supplies. Be right back.”

She held up a hand and grinned. “I need to ask a favor before you go, if you have the time.”

Intrigued, he tilted his head. “What’s that?”

“Well, it’s more of a business proposition,” she corrected, then waved him away. “Go on and get your supplies. We can talk as I’m ringing you up.”

Nodding, he headed to the back bins holding various sizes of washers, bolts, screws, and nuts. As he sifted through the items he needed, Zach couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to convince Liam that selling wasn’t the right decision, at least not now.

Of all the rash decision making Zach had done in his life, for once he was going to think about this property before deciding anything. Sophie surely had to understand that. Or maybe her boyfriend had convinced her selling it to the council would be best. Zach had a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact that Sophie would go against Chelsea’s wishes. Sophie was well aware of how much Chelsea loved that house and the land.

More than once Chelsea had snuck over the property line, ignoring the NO TRESPASSING signs to go sit by the lake or wander around the grounds. She’d had a slight obsession with the historic place, and Zach couldn’t let go. Not yet.

Of course, Martin could have convinced Sophie that’s what Chelsea would’ve wanted. Who knows what went on in their relationship? Zach didn’t want to know, actually. Sophie had been raised so polished and pure, Zach had no doubt her parents loved that she dated a man with such upstanding social status. A man without a criminal record.

What parents wanted a convicted felon hanging around their daughter? What woman truly wanted a tarnished man in her personal life?

This whole line of thinking was ridiculous, so he didn’t even answer his own questions. Zach had no place in Sophie’s life. He’d had a narrow window to ease into her life and he’d blown it all to shit. Couldn’t fault her for realizing she deserved better.