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“You don’t owe me anything. I’m happy to do it. I’m happy I can do it.” He adds, “I also bought my mom’s house and paid off her debts.”
Now I smile. “You are an amazing man, Jason Koster. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“I’m only amazing because you love me.”
“I always will.” We sit there a moment longer before he says, “Now that it’s paid off, what do you think about Shelby taking the farmhouse? I was thinking we could build the home of your dreams a few acres down, around the lake.”
Thrown for a loop, my words get caught in my throat. I just end up staring at him. “This is a lot to process. I think we should talk about money like you wanted to.”
“Okay. I’ll start.” He stands, his hand covering the side of my neck right before he dips sideways to kiss that ticklish spot behind my earlobe. Then he whispers, “I have a lot.”
A lot? I tilt back, seeking his eyes. When I find them, I ask, “A lot of money?”
He smirks with a nod. “Yes. I have a lot of money.”
“Do I want to know how much?”
Pulling back, he remains in front of me, but this time, his hands pace the length of my waist. “Since it’s half yours, I think it would be wise for you to know. That way we can make decisions on how to spend it together.”
My mind is struggling to wrap around this massive turn of events. “You’re giving me half your money?”
His arm works its way around my lower back as he teases. “You’re not going to make me sign a prenup, are you?”
Rolling my eyes, I laugh. “Not likely, Richie Rich.”
“Then we share everything fifty-fifty. How’s that sound?”
I pull him close, as close as we can embrace. “Equal in everything. That sounds like heaven on earth.” Tilting back once more to find a mischievous glint in his eyes, I say, “But to be clear, what you’re saying is you’re rich.”
He chuckles. “What I’m saying is we’re rich. Beyond rich.” Resting his head against the top of mine. He adds, “And the best is yet to come, honeysuckle.”
Not a prediction.
A promise.
31
Delilah
Some matches are made in heaven. And some are made right here in our little parcel of paradise.
Billy’s been here every day since Shelby’s arrival. He was here before Jason came back too, but his help hasn’t been needed as much since Jason started taking on more of the upkeep and maintenance of the farm.
He’s here for the second time today, though, because he forgot to “check on something left in the barn.” Sitting in the loft, I hear him muttering to himself and look down to see him pacing, psyching himself up to ask her out on an official date. I smile but remain quiet. Unfortunately, Jason doesn’t. “Stop fucking around and just ask her.”
I whack Jason’s leg. “Don’t tease him,” I warn while laughing. “The man is clearly crazy about my sister.”
Billy’s gaze darts up. “Oh, man. What are you doing out here?”
Jason calls from his reclined position on the bed. “Making love to my woman. Ask Shelby out and get it over with. I’m tired of watching you two dance around the obvious.”
I look over the edge at Billy again, and laugh. “Sorry. We should have told you we were here. It wasn’t nice of us to eavesdrop. But since we’re all here, Jason’s right. I think she’ll say yes, but you have to ask.”
“Any advice?” he asks.
“She loves sushi.”
His nose scrunches. “That raw fish?”
Jason chuckles. “Yep.”
I glare at him. “You’re being bad today.”
“I am. You should punish me. With your mouth again.”
“Oh my God,” I whisper, “behave.”
“What’s the fun in that?”
I’m about to tackle him and show him how punishing my mouth can be and then let him punish me with his, but then I remember Billy is still here like his whole life is depending on some tidbit of insight I can give him regarding my sister. He says, “So catch a fish out back and give it to her?”
Jason says, “Go away, man. I have business to take care of.”
“But I need help,” he replies.
I peek over the edge again. “Just ask her. No gimmicks. No pretenses. No games. Just be you, Billy. She’ll appreciate the sincerity.”
“You’re right.” He appears empowered as he walks with purpose toward the house. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” I call after him. Shelby’s about to be the second luckiest girl in Freeland County. When he’s out of sight, I crank the fan up and turn back to Jason who looks devilishly sexy and smug lying there waiting for me. “About that punishment—”
“Punish away, baby.”
I do, and then I let him reciprocate, but it’s more making love and lust, punishment of the good kind.
Brooks was charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder, tax evasion, and fifteen counts of illegal gambling with no bail. I’m not sad in the least.
