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He swallows and turns to me fully now. “Elena, are you under the impression that we’ll go back to Seattle and never come back here?”
I frown, hating the idea of never returning to Bandon. “With your work in Seattle, I just assumed we’d be there most of the time.”
“You know I run my own company,” he says. “I work just fine from here, and I can do that from time to time. I have no intention of selling this house. I love it here. But most importantly, you love it here. So, we’ll come whenever you want.”
The love is swift and all-consuming, filling me so full, it feels like light will start shooting out of my fingertips any second.
“You’re awfully good to me,” I say. “I’d like that. I have a busy day ahead. In addition to starting on the cottage, I have to go to the animal refuge and see Margie and Chad. And I’m having drinks with Lindsey this afternoon.”
“You finally get your happy-hour time,” he says with a grin.
“Yeah. I know they’ve all been worried and confused. It’s time I come clean about everything. I’ll miss that job.”
“There are animal rescues in and around Seattle,” he says. “I’m sure one of them would be happy to welcome you on staff. And like I said, we’ll be back to visit. You’re not saying goodbye forever like you did in California.”
“You’re right. I guess it’s just an old habit. It’s amazing, isn’t it? How much can change in six weeks? My life is completely different. For the better.”
“Same here,” he says. “I’m relieved it’s over. That you’ve come to an understanding with your family, and we can get on with our lives. It’s past time.”
“It’s because of you that it happened,” I reply. “I owe you so much.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Elena. I’d do anything to keep you safe and make sure you’re happy.”
“These pancakes are a good start.” I grin and don’t react when the phone buzzing starts.
“That’s yours, babe.”
“Oh, right.”
When Archer replaced his phone, he got me one, as well. It’s the first cell I’ve owned in almost ten years, and I’m not used to listening for it.
I scowl at the name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Good morning,” Uncle Carlo says. “How are you today, little one?”
“I’m fine.” The food I just ate sits like lead in my stomach. “What’s up?”
“I need to see you in my office as soon as possible.”
I close my eyes and feel despair creep through me. “Already? Uncle Carlo, we just arrived back in Bandon, and we’re seeing to a few things here. You need us for something so soon?”
“No, you misunderstand,” he says. “I’m not calling you because I need something from you or Archer. I need to see you because we need to discuss your parents’ estate. It’s been sitting for eight years. And added to that is your inheritance from your grandmother.”
“Oh.” I blink and look over at Archer, who watches intently. “Honestly, I don’t want anything from my parents. I don’t care what you do with it.”
“I can’t do anything with it.”
I laugh at that. “Of course, you can.”
Uncle Carlo chuckles with me. “Elena, I know you didn’t have a close relationship with your parents. But this all belongs to you. Real estate, investments, money, jewelry. The value is in the eight figures.”
My mouth goes dry, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth as I stare at Archer in shock. I had no idea my parents were worth so much.
“Elena?”
“I’m here.”
“You were their only child, and everything was left to you in their will. It’s gone through probate, and as the executor, I’ve been managing it. But it’s time for you to take it all over. Now, I honestly don’t care what you decide to do with it all, but don’t be foolish and turn it down just because your parents failed you. Make it work for you. And if you need advice, I’m always happy to help. But you’re a smart woman, Elena.”
“Let me do some thinking. I’ll be sure to call you when we’re back in Seattle. It’ll probably be a week or two.”
“That’s perfect. Travel safe.”
He hangs up, and I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water.
“He said—”
“I heard,” Archer says. “You’re an incredibly wealthy woman, Elena.”
My shoulders sag. “I already was, actually. But this is…unexpected. I guess it never occurred to me to think about what happened with their estate after they died. I left less than forty-eight hours after their deaths and figured anything they had would have been absorbed by the family.”
“You assumed wrong,” Archer says and reaches over to take my hand. “But don’t worry. I’m not just after you because I’m hot for your money.”
I chuckle and then start to laugh, the kind of laugh that grabs hold of you, where you’re helpless to stop it.
