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I can’t help the smile that creeps on my face.
I know some prenups can be overturned, but luckily, both Grayson and Keira hired a good lawyer when they had this drawn up. I believe Keira's motive for not accepting the deal initially is to prolong the situation so she can keep in some kind of weird contact with Grayson. It’s a waste of money and resources, but she doesn’t seem to care about that.
Maybe she can’t accept it’s over.
“If you’re looking to put this before a judge, you’re going the right way about it. It could be worse, Mrs. Bassett could’ve chosen to bring up those assault charges all those years ago, but she didn’t.”
Assault charges? What the hell?
I swallow hard, my heart starts to race. I know he’s just trying to rile me, and I personally hate it when lawyers do this. Just because our clients are fighting, that doesn’t mean we have to. But some lawyers like to just put on a poker face and go in guns blazing.
I also don’t want to ask him what the hell he’s talking about, or why this hasn’t come up before now.
“Coyote Run is off the cards,” I reiterate. “I look forward to speaking with you on Monday, Mr. Steeples.” I hang up before he can get another word in.
I’m really done with this conversation. Especially after the assault comment.
Now I have to ask Gray what that’s all about, and I’m not looking forward to it. Can I really see Grayson harming his wife? Or anyone? That answer to that is no. I may not have known him for very long, but I certainly don’t get those kinds of vibes from him.
This could just be another way for Keira to blackmail Grayson. But nevertheless, the news is unsettling. Those thoughts aside, I can’t judge until I find out the facts. Maybe he disclosed it to my dad, but there was nothing in the files about it.
Maybe because he was the giver in the relationship and she thinks he’ll just fold. I’ve seen him in CEO mode, and I wouldn’t cross the man, but I suppose she’s seen the more vulnerable side to him.
Now we just have to wait and see what happens after the papers are delivered on Monday…
I take a walk down Main Street to grab coffee from the local bakery. Even though Sammy usually does those jobs, I like the idea of exploring town and getting to know everyone. I stop in at the bakery to pick up some pastries for the staff.
I’m met with a vibrant woman named Verne. At least that’s what her name badge says. She has bright orange hair that matches her lipstick.
“Well, lookie who we have here?” She beams as I smile politely.
I’ve never met this woman, nor do I know who she is.
“Hello,” I say politely. “I’m…”
“Hartley Chambers.” She taps her nose. “Good news travels fast.”
She knows me by sight? That is slightly alarming, but I keep a smile plastered on my face.
“It certainly does.” I hold out my hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
She wipes her hands on her apron and then shakes my hand. “Likewise. I’m Verne.” She points to her badge. “I’ve been running this place since before you were born. We make the best vanilla cream donuts this side of the Smoky Mountains, not to mention our lemon bar croissants which we package up and send around the country, or if you need a chocolate fix, try our chocolate peanut butter swirl fudge, it just hits the spot if you’re after somethin’ sweet.”
“Verne, come up for air,” a young lady says, as the bell on the door dings behind me.
I turn to look and see a petite, dark-haired, pretty woman coming through the door in an adorable dress. She’s made up to the nines and even has a bow in her hair. “You don’t want to scare off new customers before they’ve even ordered.”
Verne rolls her eyes. “I’m givin’ her options, Miss Georgia-Blue.”
Georgia-Blue?
I look a little closer. Yes, I can definitely see the family resemblance.
She turns to me and holds out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Hartley. I’d like to say my brother has told me all about you, but he’s a bit of a dark horse and I’m sorry to say, he’s kept you a bit of a secret.”
My eyes go slightly round. So, she doesn’t know about us? One thing I have gathered from Gray is that he is discreet, thank God.
We shake hands. “Well, it’s actually all happened quite fast,” I admit. “With my father having angina and being made to take time off.”
