He parted his dark brown hair on one side and locked it down with gel. His intense gray eyes were framed by dark, jutting eyebrows. And those full lips…during her teenage years, she imagined he’d be a fantastic kisser because that fantasy—along with several others—had kept her awake night after night. Those memories heated her from the inside out. As she dragged her attention back to Sheldon, she wondered how Zander would look through the lens of her camera.
* * *
Zander was having onehell of a time concentrating on the reading. He hadn’t expected to see the sultry brunette again, and he sure as hell couldn’t process his relationship to her. She didn’t resemble the shy kid who’d been attached to his dad’s third wife. This woman was beautiful and sexy. Seemed laid-back, too. But now that he knew who she was, he’d shove his dirty thoughts in some dark hole and bury them,forever.
She crossed her legs.Nice.She turned toward him and he slid his gaze to hers. The color had drained from her face.
“That can’t be right,” Savannah rasped out.
Zander snapped to attention. “Can you repeat that?”
Sheldon cleared his throat. “As sole owner and proprietor, I hereby bequeath Starry Cove Bed and Breakfast to my son, Zander King, and my stepdaughter, Savannah Morrissette, as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. I also leave them my share of the one hundred acres of unimproved land in Starry Cove under the same terms. All remaining funds are intended to be used to restore the B&B and to turn said land into a wildlife refuge that includes a nature conservancy, dog park, and walking trails that lead into town. My greatest wish is for my children to manage the project together. Zander and Savannah may elect to recommend an alternate use of the one hundred-acre parcel by mutual agreement. Please note, however, that I am against the multi-use development project proposed by King Development. I trust that my stepdaughter will honor my wishes and vote the project down.”
Zander’s stomach dropped while his heart shot into the triple digits. He chuffed out a grunt. “Unbelievable.”
Pausing, the lawyer peered over his glasses at Zander before continuing.“My executor and close friend, Sheldon Elstor, will oversee distribution of funds for the projects. And finally, I leave my Victorian home in Starry Cove to Zander and Savannah, along with its furnishings. The home is debt free, so should they sell the estate, the funds must be divided equally.”
“I wasn’t expecting this,” Savannah said. “It was very generous of Kyle to include me.”
“He considered both of you his children, equally,” Sheldon replied.
Rubbing his forehead did nothing to alleviate Zander’s tsunami of a stress headache. “So, he’s instructing Savannah to vote down my proposal?”
“More like ‘advising’, but, yes, he is,” Sheldon said. “He wanted Starry Cove to retain its small-town charm.”
Zander’s nostrils flared. “Even after his passing, he’s still trying to prevent me from completing the biggest, most lucrative project of my career.”
Savannah shifted her attention from Zander to Sheldon. “Is there more?”
“Don’t you think we’ve heard enough?” Zander quipped.
Sheldon flipped a page. “Thereisthis.” He began reading. “Should both heirs agree to an alternate use for the property, they have three days from the date of this reading to provide their request in writing to the executor. Neither party can sell their interest in the B&B or the land until all renovations have been completed.” The attorney shifted his attention from Savannah to Zander. “That’s it.”
Son of a bitch.Zander was too shocked to respond. The wall clock ticked off the seconds while he digested the news that his dad had screwed him over one last time.
“If you can’t return here,” Sheldon interjected, “I can provide you with updates and photos of the inn during renovation, and of the nature conservancy, as well.”
Zander didn’t give a damn about progress reports on a dog park or a nature center.
“Keep in mind you’ll have to collaborate on any and all decisions.” The attorney straightened the papers. “I have an opinion if you’re interested.”
“No, thanks,” Zander replied.
“Sure,” said Savannah.
“Discuss it over a drink. You’re all the family Kyle has left, and he told me he’d like for you to get to know each other.”
Zander couldn’t shake the utter frustration that clouded his thoughts. “With all due respect, that’s not a selling point, but I agree about the drink.” Zander slid his gaze to Savannah. “I’m buying.”
“Sheldon, are you mediating our little family get-together?” Savannah asked.
“No. I’m confident you two can sort it out. Here are copies of the will.” After handing them each a sealed manila envelope, he rose. “I’ll walk you out.”
Standing in reception, Zander extended a stiff arm. “I’ll be in touch.”
Sheldon shook his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss. If it’s any consolation, your father was very proud of you, Zander.”
The surprises just keep on coming.
Savannah hugged Sheldon. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without your support…and Jean’s, too.”
“Our pleasure. I look forward to seeing those pictures.”
“I’ll send you the best ones. I loved the shots with your dogs. They’re adorable.”
Zander opened the door and, as she walked past him, she stopped and looked him dead in the eyes. “Let’s go tie one on, City Slicker.”
