“Don’t be naive, bro.” Russ closed the box. “She must’ve read the document many times by now. Or at the very least, Wally’s attorney would’ve explained the clause. She just chose not to tell us about it.”
Ryan didn’t like his brother’s tone but resisted dropping to the floor and punching him in the shoulder as they’d often done growing up. Because, more likely what Ryan didn’t like is that Russ spoke the truth.
“What’s this loophole anyway?” he asked.
“She can leave at any time if she’s in danger or if the property becomes uninhabitable.”
“The threats make it seem like she’s in danger,” Reid joined in. “But the uninhabitable part makes it sound like Wally was thinking more of natural disasters, not someone threatening her.”
“You could be right,” Ryan said, letting the information settle in. “Wally couldn’t have predicted something like this. No way.”
“What happens to the property if she takes advantage of the loophole?” Reid asked.
“Immediately, reverts to her. And the term danger is so vague that she could probably make it hold up in court if it came to that.” Russ sat back. “Now it makes even more sense that she’s behind things. Stay for a day or for a year. If you hated being here, which would you choose?”
* * *
Mia looked at Ryan across the dinner table. He’d been tense all through the tasty meal of pot roast, veggies, and fresh hard rolls. She tried to enjoy the food that tasted as savory as the aroma filling the air, but an undercurrent had run through the room that hadn’t been there before she’d gone outside. Seemed like something—and not a good something—had happened when she’d helped Jessie with Bandit.
She set down her fork and took a long sip of the cool iced tea made to perfection then looked around the table. Unease in the room or not, the Maddox family was still the ideal family in Mia’s eyes. She’d been jealous of Ryan’s family, but he’d not only taken it for granted, he’d rebelled against his parents in search of adventure. She’d been more than glad to help him find it back in the day and make a little family unit of her own with him.
But what did she want with him now, if anything?
He was still an amazing guy. That had become clear. Kind. Funny. Dependable. Good-looking. A real catch.
So why hadn’t he settled down?
A question for the ride home for sure.
“I hate to eat and run,” Reid said. “But Jessie looks like she’s going to fall asleep at the table.”
“Aw, do we have to go?” The little girl rubbed her eyes. “I want to spend more time with Bandit and Mia.”
Mia didn’t want to be the cause of this little munchkin missing much-needed sleep. “I need to be getting home too. It’s been a long day, and I have to work tomorrow.”
Russ arched his eyebrow. “Work?”
Mia didn’t like his suspicious look, but she would answer anyway. “I’m doing some counseling for Wilderness Ways.”
Russ glanced at Ryan.
“Paul’s MIA,” Ryan said as if he thought Russ needed an explanation. “His mom’s sick.”
“I’m filling in for him,” she added, as she didn’t want Russ to think she’d committed to something full-time and planned to stay here after her year had ended. On day three-hundred-sixty-six, she was headed back to her life in Atlanta.
She pushed her chair back and smiled at Barbie and Hank. “Thank you for dinner. The food was excellent and so was the company.”
Barbie came around the table and drew Mia into her arms, holding her tightly. She smelled of garlic and cinnamon. An unusual scent, but it was comforting at the same time. “You are always welcome here, sweetheart. With or without Ryan. Remember that.”
Tears pricked Mia’s eyes, but she batted them away and stepped back. “Thank you again.”
Ryan said goodbye to his family, and she nearly ran to Bandit where he lay curled on a rug. He hopped up and pawed her leg. She remembered Ryan’s instructions and despite her desire to spoil him, she didn’t reward the dog for his behavior.
“Sit,” she said and squatted to press his rear end down to the floor, telling him what she expected. He tried to play, but she remained firm until he was sitting. Only then did she strap on his leash and praise him.
“Good job,” Ryan said.
His simple compliment meant more to her than she could say.
