Page 54 of Love, Hate, Love

My phone buzzed on the counter.

Accountant:It’s done. No idea why you would want to do this, but it’s your money to throw away.

I’d just finished readingthat message when I got another one.

Monroe:One of your contacts came through. I can’t believe that they’re willing to take on the loan for no percentage. They said they make something, but I don’t understand how. Either way, thank you. I can’t wait to tell Leah.

Nope,I’d be making nothing, but I was glad my man hadn’t told him that.

“Before you start work, you need to call Monroe. He said he’s got news,” I said to Leah as she walked back into the living room.

She looked up, her eyes widening. Her chest began to rise and fall faster.

“I think it’s good,” I said.

She turned and headed into the office. She didn’t shut the door behind her, probably figuring I’d follow. I didn’t. I already knew what the conversation would be.

Chapter25

Leah

I satdown to call Monroe, running through the worst-case scenario in my mind. This was about the fiftieth time since he’d initially told me I was probably going to lose my home. One more mental go-around wouldn’t hurt if it kept me from having an epic meltdown like yesterday.

I still wasn’t sure how I’d meet anyone’s eye today. I didn’t cry, and now I’d be known as the ranch crybaby. Not only was I a felon, I was a bawling one. That thought alone might’ve set off another wave, except I didn’t have a tear left in me. I was probably dehydrated after yesterday.

I dialed Monroe’s number before I chickened out, like literally went to tend the chickens and let them out in a last-ditch excuse to not hear the bad news.

“Hey! I’ve got––”

I cut him off immediately. “Look, before you say anything, I want you to know that I appreciate everything you did to try to save my apartment. I know if you could’ve, you would’ve. I’m okay with it.”

“Leah—”

“I just want you to know that. It’s okay. I’ll rebuild and I’ll get another one.”

“Leah, you’re not losing your apartment.”

I sat still for a second. “I’m not? How is that possible?”

“Tiffany had a few connections?—”

“Oh no, Monroe.” I groaned. This had been the last thing I wanted. “I told you I didn’t want you to do that. I don’t want you to ever put your marriage in a strained situation for me. My mortgage is too much to ask that of her.” I covered my face with my hand, wondering how many lives this situation was going to wreck.

“It’s not strained because I didn’t ask. It was offered by a distant relation. It’s not a gift. We’re going to pay it back and they’ll make something on it. It’s a win for them too.”

“Who is it?” I asked, trying not to sound too skeptical in the light of his happy tone.

“Tiffany’s third cousin.”

“Who? Have I ever met them?” I didn’t think Tiffany even had a third cousin she was close to.

“No. But they do deals like this all the time. It’s already done. I signed the paperwork last night. It was our best and only option, so I leapt at the opportunity.”

It was so strange to have given up my power of attorney and be informed after the fact that I had a new mortgage, especially when something didn’t feel right. Was I getting charged loan shark numbers?

“Did you read the paperwork over before you signed? Made sure there was nothing weird?” My brother had never been great with numbers, but he would’ve known better than to sign for some crazy interest rate. I hoped, anyway.

“Yes, and it’s all good. I didn’t sign over your second born, only your first.”

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