Page 38 of Silver Brewer

“Then she yammers on about how she learned the mayor of the town was the brother of the property owner, and she wanted to inform me of these loopholes.” Charlie chuckles like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s heard. He’s a lawyer. He’s my sibling. He knows all this information. “Seems her research skills failed her if she didn’t know this information before making a trip down here. Then again, maybe she’s their bulldozer. Send her in to handle the locals and hope they don’t know anything about their land rights.” Charlie snorts, but I’m failing to find the humor in anything he says.

“So?” I grunt. They never would have gotten my property anyway. Charlie already knows this. I know this. What game is she playing now?

“She wanted to personally let me know that the company repeals the petition. She was making certain of it. They were no longer interested in the property. And here’s the weird part. She was adamant I know and equally persuasive in suggesting I inform you. Isn’t that the damnedest thing?” Charlie’s voice lowers, and I feel his eyes zeroing in on me, but my eyes remain on the document before me on the table.

I huff. Based on Letty’s grand exit, I assume she’ll never look back. The property isn’t the only thing she’s no longer interested in.

“Then”—Charlie chuckles—“she goes on to tell me we should consider an ax-throwing facility or perhaps a court at the pub.”

“What the fuck?”

“I know, right? I mean, that sounds ridiculous. Who throws axes for fun?”

Exactly, I think, exhaling heavily as my heart is ready to burst through my chest.

“However, she mentioned how she learned to fling an ax from an ax master when she was in the area.” Charlie’s voice rises, thoroughly enjoying this little tale he’s sharing. “Then she ends by telling me how sorry she is that her company won’t be building in the area because she just loved her time here. The land was so beautiful, she said.” Charlie mocks her Yankee accent. He flips a few pages of the document before me.

“The funny thing is, she sounded relieved the project wouldn’t happen, despite all her chatter about how great our community seemed. We have the nicest people here, she said. She loved the stars at night. Even the rain was wonderful.” Charlies snorts again. “She had the most amazing adventure in the woods, experiencing nature, and really came to appreciate it. No, love it were her exact words.” Charlie lets out a breath. “And man, does she have words. She’s a talker.”

Cricket, my heart sings. Always chirping.

I turn to my brother, waiting on more…holding my breath with hope for something else. “And?”

“Here’s what I don’t understand. Why was she telling me all of this?”

I have no idea, I thought.

“Did you ask her?” I ask, my voice sharper than necessary.

“No, I thanked her for the information. Told her how I hadn’t visited Chicago in a long time but remember enjoying my stay there. Then I told her I hoped she’d be able to visit here again soon, seeing as she enjoyed it so much.”

“Did she say she would?” My voice rises as I sit up straighter. Hope is a dangerous emotion.

“Should she?” my brother inquires, lifting a brow as he suddenly plays coy.

“Charlie, don’t act like you know something when you don’t. There’s nothing to tell.”

Charlie shakes his head, disagreeing with me. “Here’s what’s to tell. A woman checked into Conrad Lodge and then checked out, saying she was going camping in the area. She let it slip she was headed to the Harrington cabin. For three days, your place was empty, and you didn’t answer your phone. James is called in for questioning about an incident up on the ridge, and he mentions your name as an alibi. Says he saw you with a woman up there.”

Jesus, will the whole town know?

“What did James do? And how do you know this other stuff?”

“Cora told Mati who told me. Gotta keep tabs on my siblings.” Charlie winks. “As for James, he claims it was target practice. God only knows why he loves that ranger station.” He waves a hand, dismissing our brother while knowing all the reasons that particular station means something to our brother.

“You know it’s typically my job as the eldest to know what everyone is doing.”

“Yes, but then who looks out for you?” Charlie laughs.

I sigh as I look away from Charlie. No one. No more Clara. No more girls. No more Letty.

“I don’t need looking after,” I snark.

“But it’d be nice if someone did, right? If someone worried about you. Or had sex with you. Or loved you.”

“Jesus, have you been talking to Mama?”

Charlie chuckles. “Fuck, no. I just know how you feel.” He probably does. Us Harringtons haven’t had much luck in love, and he’s had one of the worst deals as his wife divorced him right when his small-town career took off. She left behind their adorable daughter, Lucy, as well.