"Thanks, Bailey," Nelson says. He looks at the rest of our small group. "Bailey is the neighboring farm's kid. Graduated high school, what, two years ago?"
"Three," Bailey says. "I'm also the new bartender at Cannon Waters if anyone would like to come support your local starving artist with tips."
"You're an artist?" I ask. "What kind?"
"The musician kind," he says with a smile. He's proud of that. "I have a few songs out on Spotify, but I'm working on saving up for some studio time and I'll be taking some classes at the college, too, starting next year."
"If you have the chance, I recommend this guy's class." Nelson wraps his arms around me again, hugging me from behind. It's a little bit possessive, but I love it.
"I don't know if I'll need it, but I'll keep an eye out." Bailey takes a sip of his own beer. "It sucks that you're not going to be my neighbor anymore after this season, though. It's going to suck seeing this place gone."
"What?"
We all turn to see Nelson and Charlie's dad standing behind us, more than close enough to overhear our conversation. I feel Nelson's arms tense around me. Charlie's eyes are wide, standing next to his dad. I don't know how to react. I knew they were going to talk to their dad tomorrow, to break the news when there wasn't alcohol present, or a whole crowd of people.Nelson's arms fall away from my body just as Charlie steps forward.
"We should probably head inside to talk," Nelson says. "Let's not start a scene here. Y'all feel free to hang out as long as you want." He kisses the side of my head. "I'll be back in a bit, but feel free to take my truck if you want to go to the house."
"Good luck," I whisper as he follows his family into the house. I glance over to check on Clark, hoping that he isn't aware of what's going down. He is laughing with his friends, his back turned to the house. Silver linings, I guess. I turn back to the group I'm standing with. "They were planning on breaking the news to them tomorrow. Their dad doesn't know the farm was sold."
"Shit. I didn't know they didn't know. I wouldn't have said anything."
"It'll be okay," I assure him. There's nothing we can do to change it now. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak. No point making someone feel bad about it. "They've been trying to fight the contract since the beginning of the summer, but there's nothing they can do."
Finnigan raises the hand holding his beer and shakes his head. "There's always a loophole in contracts. I should know, I write them all day long."
"I've looked over it myself," I say. "If there is something, I didn't see it."
"Let me take a look at it," Finnigan says. He goes to take a step forward and nearly stumbles over his own feet. Bailey catches him, wrapping both arms around his waist to hold him steady. "Um, maybe tomorrow though. I think I need to lay down right now. There are, like, three of each of you."
"What hotel are you staying at?" Bailey asks, looking over at me. "I just got here, so I've only had a few sips. I'm good to drive."
I'm about to tell him Finnigan can crash at Nelson's place tonight, but Paul's hand on my arm stops me. He leans closer so only I can hear him talking. "I think Nelson is going to need some privacy after this talk tonight. That's not going to go over well with his parents."
I nod. I give Bailey the hotel name and watch him guide my brother to a car. I can't make out the model from here, but I see Bailey buckle him in before closing the door. I trust that he's sober and will get him there safe. Finnigan didn't have a lot to drink today, but I know he's going to be all in his head for the night. He doesn't need to be alone.
I text my sister to let her know that someone is bringing Finnigan to the hotel. I'm sure Veronica has already booked her flight out of here. I'm also sure she'll wait at the airport overnight than have to see my brother. I watch them drive away, then turn my head to look at the house. It's going to be a long night.
Chapter Twenty-One
"Goodjob,MisterHargraves,"Bennett says as I turn in my final exam. I smile at Bennett as I hand over my test and walk to the door. There's still another hour left in the class time for the exam so I'm heading to the farm. We're planning on meeting up later for drinks at Cannon Waters and then spending the night at my place. I'm supposed to hear from the seller on the house this week as well. I put a bid in, just above asking price.
The news that the farm was being sold obviously didn't go over well with my parents. There was yelling and tears from all parties. The blame was passed around quickly and words were said that no one really meant. Charlie has doubled his effort in trying to figure out how to save the farm. I don't know if he's even slept in the last week. Joyce has come by the house more than once, asking me to talk to him. I don't know what to say to him. I felt the same way Dad did when I first found out. I'm still upset about it, but I have a plan in place now. Looking back, I can see a difference in myself from the beginning of thissummer to now. Even Bennett has pointed out that I seem more confident in my decisions, personally and in my work.
When I get to the farm, I'm surprised to see Finnigan and Bailey together on the porch. They're sitting side-by-side on the swing. No other cars are in the drive, which means they must have just been sitting here waiting. I didn't even know Finnigan was back in town. Or why he's with Bailey.
"Can I help you?" I ask, walking up the stairs. I really just want to go relax after that exam, but I'm not going to leave them here.
Finnigan holds up a stack of papers and Bailey smiles. I have no idea what is going on.
"You're not loosing your farm." Finnigan stands and holds out the papers. I flip through them, not sure at what I'm looking at.
"What?" I look between him and Bailey.
"You're not loosing your farm," Finnigan repeats. "You were scammed. Well, your brother was scammed. Dirty bastards played a new trick, but I caught it. It took a bit of trickery myself, but it's all there. That's the original contract with the very small percentage of acreage your brother actually sold them. Which, they've sold back to you. Him. Well, once he signs this document. They're paying triple what your brother sold it for and are also paying court, lawyer, and emotional distress costs to each member of this family."
This is too much to wrap my head around. I stare at Finnigan, hoping the blank expression will alert him that I have no idea what he is talking about. He sighs and Bailey laughs. "Dude, call your brother and tell him to get home now. We'll explain everything."
"How do you know about all of this?" I ask, looking from Finnigan to Bailey and back.
