“What about the property? I'll have to have it evaluated and then decide whether or not to sell it, I guess.”
One of his thick blond brows lifts in question and then he’s shaking his head.
“He didn't tell you? Your father doesn’t own that property anymore. He sold it a few months ago and has just been renting it from the new owners.”
I rear back in my chair in shock. I can't believe he never told me that he had sold it. A deep frown crosses Chase's face and then he’s flipping through the paperwork and lifting out a check to hold out across the desk to me.
There's a slight shake in my fingers as I take it from him and my eyes flare wide when I see the amount and that it's endorsed to me. I keep my eyes on the piece of paper and whisper, “What is this? Why didn't he tell me? Why would he give this to me?”
Chase's gaze drops back down to the ring on my finger with a glare.
“He told me he wanted to be able to give you the wedding of your dreams. That's why he sold it, Rain.”
My eyes crash closed as so much sadness hits me. Oh, Daddy! Why? I had told him he didn’t need to worry about paying for anything that had to do with the wedding. That Jason and I would handle all that. All I had wanted was for him to come and walk me down the aisle. I let out a deep sigh and open my eyes to look at Chase again.
“I really wish he hadn't done that.” I reach up and rub between my eyes where a headache is brewing.
Chase scoffs and replies, the edge of bitterness in his voice unmistakable. “Well, your daddy always did have a blind spot when it came to you. Seems to be a common thread with the men in this town.”
My temper flares briefly and I glare at him for his inciteful words but then my eyes drop back down to the check in my hand and I let it fall to my lap just wanting to finish this and leave.
“Do you have the contact information for the new owner? I need to find out how soon they need the trailer cleared out. It'll take me some time to organize that and figure out what I'm going do with all his stuff.”
Chase rubs one thick finger over his lips as he hums in the back of his throat.
“I do. I can say on good authority, you can take as long as you need. There’s no rush to get everything cleared out.”
I nod slowly. “I would appreciate their contact information anyways so I can make arrangements.”
“Whatever arrangements you need to make, you can make them through me. We're the new owners of that land.”
I stiffen in my seat hearing that as hot anger fills me. “What? Your father bought my daddy’s land?”
One of those big shoulders shrugs but his brows furrow at the angry tone of my questions.
“No, not my father. Rex, Luke and I bought it. His land is adjacent to ours and he wanted the money for you. It was a no-brainer to make the deal. The sale went through before he died and the check was written out before that as well so it's not considered part of the estate. The money is yours, Rain. Spend it on centerpieces and caterers if you want. That's what your daddy wanted for you.”
My fake engagement ring pinches when my fingers tighten on the check in my lap and my voice comes out harder than I planned when I ask, “Is there anything else I need to know?”
Chase places his hands on the desk and pushes to his feet so he’s leaning over it toward me.
“As far as his estate goes, no - but there's a few things I need to know. You need to tell me why you left. You owe me that much.”
I shake my head and stand as well, not willing to sit with him towering over me.
“I don’t owe you anything. It’s in the past, Chase. Let it go.”
“Like hell, I will. The last time I saw you, you were in my lap looking up at me with stars in your eyes and then you were just gone without a word, without a goodbye, without an explanation! You need to tell me why, Rain.”
I shake my head but before I have a chance to respond, someone behind me clears their throat.
“Uh, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt. Should I come back?”
I turn slowly to face the door and take in the tall man in uniform filling the doorway and the smallest of smiles tugs at my lips when his eyes go wide with recognition and then a wide grin fills his face.
“Well, shit! Rainy Rawlins, look at you! It's so good to see you, darlin’.” His grin dims slightly as he reaches out to rest a hand on my arm. “I was real sorry to hear about your daddy. He was a good man.”
“Thank you, Jackson, and it's good to see you too. I can honestly say I never expected to see you in uniform, though. The last thing I remember is you and Hetter running from the law after you set those fireworks off behind the stage at graduation.” I laugh.
