Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
She ate another spoonful and waited for me to continue.
“Devlin and I got married very fast.”
“And you’re not getting along?”
“No, we’re getting along,” I said. “I just—what would happen if we weren’t? What would happen, let’s say, if he changed his mind about me?”
“He would never,” Gran assured me. “I see the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”
“But what if it happened?” I pressed. “I know in the beginning of a thing, it can seem like everyone is on the same page, but sometimes . . .”
I just changed my mind, Lexi. I’m sorry.
“Sometimes people change their minds. Look at Andrew.”
“Andrew wasn’t the one for you.”
“I know he wasn’t, but my point is that people can change. People can leave. What happens if Devlin leaves me in a year or two?”
“That won’t happen.”
“Gran.” I leaned forward and put both hands on the table. “Tabitha told me about some kind of five-year clause in the will that says my inheritance can be revoked if my marriage doesn’t last at least that long. Is that true?”
“Yes, but I’m not worried, darling. That’s why I didn’t mention it.” She smiled sweetly. “It’s so obvious you two were meant for each other.”
“But—but five years is a long time,” I said.
“Nonsense. You grandfather and I were married over sixty years. Believe me, time flies, darling. Before you know it, you’ve got kids and grandkids, wrinkles and gray hair, cataracts and tired old bones.” She laughed gently. “But you still have each other.”
Devlin was in the kitchen when I got home. “Guess what I did?” he shouted as I removed my jacket and tossed it onto the couch.
“What?”
He appeared in the doorway to the kitchen in my dark red apron, a proud grin on his face. “I made dinner!”
I managed a wan smile. “What did you make?”
“Chili. I remembered Gran saying it was your favorite as a kid, so I called Xander and got his recipe. He used to cook for us when we were kids.”
“It smells good,” I said, heading into the kitchen to peek into the pot on the stove. “And it looks great.”
“Thanks. I think it tastes right, but if you don’t like it, I’ll take you out for dinner. I just wanted to give you a break from cooking.” He pressed up behind me and kissed the side of my neck.
“Thanks. I’m sure it’s going to be good.” Although I wasn’t hungry at all. In fact, I was nauseated.
“Cooking is so much work,” he said, taking bowls down from the cupboard. “All that chopping and slicing and stirring and making sure shit doesn’t burn over here while you’re cutting something up over there.”
“It gets easier.” Moving slowly, I opened a drawer and took out two spoons. “Want a beer?”
“Sure, thanks.” He took off the apron and hung it on a hook inside the back stairwell.
I pulled two beers from my fridge and pried the caps off before going to the sink to wash my hands. The words I needed to say to him stuck in my throat.
“Dinner is served, wife.” Devlin pulled out my chair for me, and I sat down, trying hard to smile. He’d done something sweet for me, and I didn’t want to ruin it.
After tasting the chili, I praised his efforts sincerely. “This is delicious, Devlin.”
“Thanks. I thought I might have over-browned the beef, but I guess all the other stuff hides that mistake.”
“It’s perfect.” I ate another spoonful. “Thank you for making dinner tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” We ate in silence for a few minutes. Or rather, Devlin ate, and I moved my spoon around in my bowl. “Everything okay? You’re so quiet.”
“It’s been a long day, I guess.”
Devlin lifted his beer. “Did you get ahold of Tabitha?”
I nodded. My throat was tight.
“And?”
“It’s not good.”
He paused with the bottle halfway to the table, and then set it down slowly. “What do you mean?”
I set my spoon aside and lowered my face into my hands.
“Lexi, what’s wrong?”
“There’s a clause in the will,” I said, my voice muffled inside my palms.
“What’s it say?”
Taking a deep breath, I dropped my hands and looked him in those blue eyes. “It says if we don’t stay married for five years, the deed transferring ownership to us is null and void. Ownership reverts to Gran, and she’ll sell. If she’s gone at that point and there are no other qualified heirs, the property will be sold, debts paid, and profits split between Roddy, Tabitha, and me.”
Devlin’s eyes closed. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “She never mentioned that.”
“No, she didn’t. Why would she?” I echoed Tabitha’s words. “We were so convincing. Gran fully believes our story—or at least she wanted to believe it so badly, she allowed herself to say she did.”
“Fuck.” Devlin rubbed his temples with the thumb and fingers of his left hand. His wedding band gleamed in the kitchen light. “How did Tabitha even figure this out?”