Page 116 of Rough and Rugged

“I didn’t authorize the sale of my land,” I said. “Or did you forget Grandma left it to me?”

Sam came up beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder. He scowled at Brayden. “Is there a reason you’re bothering Maggie?”

Eden beamed at him. “Well,hell-othere.”

Brayden snorted. “Nicely done, Maggie. You’re here for three weeks, and you’re already fucking the local himbo. Didn’t take you long.”

Could my cousin be any more of a dick?

Sam released his grip on me and took a few steps toward Brayden. When he spoke, he used his growly bear voice. The kind that could either be sexy or terrifying, depending on how he wielded it. “Watch how you speak to her, asshole.”

Brayden stumbled backward and wiped his brow. “Relax. I’m not here to steal her inheritance.”

“Like hell you aren’t,” I spat out.

“Jesus, Maggie, I’m doing you a favor,” Brayden said. “I know your place in Fresno is a shithole, and you barely make a dime off your so-called art. But I just got an offer that could make you rich. Invest it properly and you’ll never have to worry about money again.”

“Why should I let you handle the sale?” I asked. “If someone wants to buy the property, I could cut out the middleman and sell it myself.”

Brayden raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, right. If you did that, you’d lose out, because you don’t know shit about real estate. But I’d make it worth your while.”

When he told me how much I’d receive from the sale, I thought I’d misheard him. Until he repeated it with a gleam in his eye. The amount was so staggering it was hard to believe.

“I don’t get it,” I said. “I realize this area is beautiful, but…”

“Most of the land around here is owned and managed by the Forest Service or the federal government,” Brayden said. “But you own twenty-five acres of gorgeous, unspoiled territory. It’s an incredibly valuable commodity.”

While I didn’t want to betray Grandma, the thought of all that money was like a drug. It could give me more financial security than I’d ever dreamed of.

Brayden flashed Sam a smarmy grin. “If you’re interested in selling, we could check out your place, too. The more land, the better.”

Sam clenched his fists. “Never.”

“Anyway, we’re gonna have a look-see, and Jean-Louis is going to take photos,” Brayden said. “Maggie, I could use a cup of coffee.”

“Sure, I can make some.” Still reeling from the impact of his offer, my earlier fury had ebbed away. “I’ve got blueberry muffins, too. I baked them yesterday.”

“No on the muffins. Gotta watch my carbs.”

I retreated into the kitchen with Sam following me. Once he closed the door, he turned on me, his expression stormy. “You’re not making him coffee, are you? The guy’s a jerk.”

“It’s fine,” I muttered. “I need some anyway.”

“What about his offer? Are you seriously considering it?” Sam’s voice came out rough and accusatory.

His hostile tone made me cringe. But this was my life, not his. He might be a world-class sculptor whose work sold for thousands, but I was a starving artist who could barely pay her bills. “Maybe? I’m not sure yet.”

“How can you sell this place? It’s not what your grandmother would have wanted. She left you the cabin so that you’d keep it as is. You told me you love it here.”

“I do, but I hate being broke.” I wrapped my arms around myself, overwhelmed by the feelings coursing through me.

“It won’t be that way for much longer. You own the cabin free and clear, and you’re gradually making a name for yourself as an illustrator.”

Too ashamed to face him, I looked away. “It’s not just that. When I went into Fresno last week, my mom told me I’d let down the entire family. Not only am I barely getting by, but I’m also living in the mountains like a hermit. It’s a pathetic excuse for a life.”

“No offense, but she’s full of shit. You don’t believe her, do you?”

I didn’t want to, but she always managed to get under my skin. “I don’t know. I just hate feeling like a failure. When I got last month’s credit card bill, I wanted to cry because there’s no way I can pay it off in time. Brayden’s offer could change my life.”

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