Page 50 of Dumped for a Christmas Tree Farmer

“Because if he wants to rent out the space to Holly, then he can do so without interference from me. I could have kept the building and leased her the space, but I wanted to cut ties. I’m not interested in keeping in touch with her in any capacity. It was easier to sell the space to someone who would be here long term. Hugh is the right person.”

“It still baffles me that you can just buy a building outright as if it’s nothing.” I laugh.

“Well, sweetheart, that comes to point two.” His hand moves to the next set of papers. Maverick Stone has a flair for the dramatic, and I love it.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Well, my short-sightedness meant that I invested in the wrong property. Charlie has outlined a contract by which I buy the B&B from you.”

My heart almost stops.

Excuse me?

Selling the business to Mav is not what I expected him to say when he said he would look into options. Truthfully, I didn’t expect him to do anything.

A frown pinches between my brows, and Mav rushes out his next confession.

“To be completely transparent, I wish to buy your business so I can sell it to Henry and Scott. They will become joint owners, taking responsibility for the land, the building, and the guests in their entirety. Well . . .” He pauses, taking a sip of whiskey. “Almost in their entirety. The contract stipulates that the cottage is not included in the sale. That is yours.”

“Mav . . .” I say breathily.

What the hell is happening right now?

Henry and Scott taking over would be an ideal scenario. A perfect scenario.

Henry adores The Hibernation Station. He grew up in Bear Hills; we’re best friends. I know he would look after it the way my mom would want him to. And Scott, he’s only been working with us for just over a year, but he loves the town; he loves the job. He’d balance out Henry, which is always a plus.

“They’ve both agreed that the price I’ve offered them is within their means to pay.”

The blood whooshing in my ears has my hands trembling. How has he pulled all of this together in a matter of days?

“Are you serious right now?” I ask.

“Are you happy with the plan so far? Because you can say you’re not.”

I nod shakily, biting down on my lip to stop my smile from growing. This is too good to be true. There’s a catch here somewhere.

“Okay, because this—” He places his palm on the final stack of papers. “This is the big one. The one I’m most excited about.”

“How did you do all this so fast?”

“It helps that my lawyer has been snowed in with dungarees. He’s had a bit of time on his hands.”

“I hope he’s charging you.”

“He’s made it quite clear that my bill is on the way whether you sign the contracts or not.”

“Good for him,” I say as Mav rolls his eyes. “So come on, what’s the big reveal?”

Chapter Twenty-One

December 31

Mav

“So come on, what’s the big reveal?” she asks, her eyes crinkling at the edges.

I love this girl. I fucking love her.