Page 111 of Blue Jean Summer

“And why is that?” he asked with a pleased clap of his hands. “Where’s your woman? Oh, wait. You have no idea because you’ve been sleeping alone for—what—going on two days now?”

“Will you get to the point already?”

“Would you like to concede and hand over the estate now?” he soothed in a mocking tone. “I won’t even make you admit that it was all for show. Or are you going to make me keep dragging this out in court?”

“I wouldn’t want my tax dollars to go to waste. Let’s keep a judge employed,” I snapped.

“Oooh. Someone’s touchy today. Did Catherine finally pack up and leave you? She was a nice piece of ass to look at but had the most shrill voice—”

I was out of the desk chair and at his throat. “Keep her name out of your mouth.”

Lewis’s grin was maniacal.

“Gentlemen,” Hallie said, appearing in the doorway. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” I hissed.

“Good. So you’re not about to beat each other senseless. I wouldn’t want to jump to conclusions,” she said drolly.

Anger flared in Lewis’s eyes as another body appeared behind Hallie.

Catherine.

She looked just as tired as I did. Her usual bright smile was gone. In its place was a stone-cold expression. “Hayes, do you have a minute?”

Those six words were the first she had spoken to me since our fight, when she had taken off her ring. Each one was a punch to the gut.

“Of course,” I said, softening my voice as I tried to push away the adrenaline.

Hallie raised a finger. “After you pick up the phone. A lawyer called the house line because he couldn’t get you on your cell. I’ve got the call waiting.”

I looked at Catherine. “I’ll call him back. Let’s—”

“Take the call.” And with that, Catherine turned and left.

Great. Just fucking great.

“Yeah. Take the call,” Lewis said, cocking his head to the desk phone that hadn’t been used since Granddad died.

Hallie lingered in the doorway, keeping an eye on Lewis, as I sat down and picked up the receiver. “Hayes Wilder.”

“Hayes, I’m glad I caught you. I’ve got good news,” Mr. Allen said jovially. At least someone in the damn state was in a good mood.

I glanced up at Lewis. “My brother is here. Would you like me to put you on speaker to share that good news?”

Lewis’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not so sure he’ll think it’s good news,” Mr. Allen said. “I’m sure he’ll be receiving a similar call from his legal counsel soon.”

“Alright, then.”

“As the executor of the estate, I received notice this morning that, after reviewing your grandfather’s will, and the supporting documentation of your marriage license and the deed conveying ten acres to your wife, the court threw out his petition. Congratulations, Mr. Wilder.”

I let out a sharp breath. Catherine and I had done it.

“Thank you, Mr. Allen.”

“You’re not entirely out of the woods,” he warned. “Likely, Mr. Halstead will have his attorneys file a motion to reconsider. Unfortunately, that’s just par for the course. But I don’t anticipate the outcome changing. Just make sure your personal legal counsel stays abreast of the situation.”