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Zach hadn’t seen Sophie since the funeral four months ago, when she’d cried in his arms, clinging to his shirt at the graveside. Zach doubted she’d specifically sought him out for comfort. He just happened to be the one in line behind her when she’d broken. He’d been hesitant to embrace her, but once he had, he’d entered into another level of hell because now he knew how perfect she felt in his arms. He realized what all he’d thrown away.
When she’d pulled herself together, though, she’d released him like she’d been burned and turned on her heels for her car. He hadn’t seen her since.
He’d been so caught up in his own grief, he hadn’t considered how she was coping. Zach figured her hoity-toity boyfriend with his polished cuff links had probably patted her on the back. While Zach had mascara on his dress shirt, he couldn’t imagine Sophie’s man letting his suits get ruined.
Seeing her walk away from that graveside had shifted something in him. Something he couldn’t define and something he’d had no choice but to ignore.
The bell on the front door chimed again. Zach raked his palm over his face, his whiskers bristling against his palm. Which brother would step through the door next? The one Zach actually still talked to, or the one Zach avoided at all costs?
“We’re in here,” Sophie called as she crossed her office to greet the new guest.
Folding his arms over his chest, Zach kept his eyes on the floor. Focusing on his scuffed work boots against the pristine white carpeting was far better than seeing Sophie’s limp as she left the room.
“Wow. This must be something major for you to show up.”
Zach glanced toward the door at his younger brother, Braxton. “I have no idea what we were called in for.”
Braxton sank into the chair across from Sophie’s desk. “You gonna have a seat?”
“I’m fine.”
On his feet, he was one step closer to the exit, right where he preferred.
Looking closer at Sophie’s office area gave him an insight into her life, her personality, whether he wanted to learn more or not. She obviously loved the color yellow. She also had an eye for art, if the pencil sketches randomly displayed were any indicator. The sketches of landscapes and old homes and buildings were so detailed.
Before he could study the artwork much more, the bell chimed for a third time. Perfect. The final piece to this missing, awkward puzzle had arrived. Let the party of anger and shouting begin.
Sophie led Liam in. Liam froze as his eyes landed on Zach. “What’s going on?”
Zach forced himself not to look away from the scar running down the side of Liam’s face. So much pain in this room, pain that none of them would discuss.
“I need to talk to you guys about the property Chelsea left you.” Sophie skirted around her desk and took a seat. Lacing her fingers over the rich wood top, she eyed all three men. “I apologize for not telling you all on the phone what was going on. I figured if I told Liam that Zach was coming, or vice versa, you all would find an excuse not to be here, and I needed all three of you in the same room.”
“What’s so important with the property?” Liam asked, taking the seat by Braxton.
They’d still not decided what to do with that monstrosity of a home on the edge of town. Their sister had bought it at a good price because it needed so much work, but Zach never did know what her true intentions were for the Civil War–era mansion.
Just a month ago he, Braxton, and Liam had been informed they were not only the new owners, per Chelsea’s will, they also owed the back taxes Chelsea had failed to pay. Perhaps it was a good thing Sophie called this little meeting, considering the brothers needed to figure out the tax issue and decide what to do with the property.
“The city council is interested in buying the estate,” Sophie went on. “They want to turn the main house and the two smaller cottages on the property into a museum and tourist attraction. With being so close to Savannah, and all the historical value of the home, they’re positive it will pull in more tourists.”
Zach snorted. Whatever his sister had wanted to do with the home was a mystery, but he sure as hell knew she wouldn’t want a museum. An old, stuffy museum was the total opposite of his free-spirited, fun sister.
Beyond that, there was no way in hell Zach would sell to anyone associated with the mayor.
He glanced at Braxton, trying to gauge his brother’s reaction to this news. Anytime the mayor’s name was brought up, Zach cringed for Braxton. Betrayal ran deep in this family.
“We haven’t discussed what we’re doing with it yet,” Braxton said through gritted teeth.
Sophie offered one of her signature sweet smiles. “I understand this is a difficult position. I really am just trying to help you guys get out from under such a burden.”
Zach waited for Braxton to say something more, or even for Liam to jump to his defense. When both remained quiet, Zach chimed in. “We need to pay the taxes first.”
“Actually, if you sell the home, the taxes would come out of the amount of the sale.” Sophie opened a folder and slid a paper out. “This is what the city is willing to pay for the place. It’s a good price. The taxes and mortgage would be paid off.”
Zach didn’t move from his spot against the wall. Hell, he was still grieving. How could he think about facts and figures right now? Facts and figures proposed by a man who had stabbed Braxton in the back only a few short years ago.
“Looks good to me,” Liam said after looking at the paper. He settled back into his chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. “I’m fine with selling, but Braxton needs to okay this.”
