Page 61 of Monsters in Love

“Well,” I say. “I guess you know I inherited the house when Celeste passed. But it’s in bad shape. I need a loan so I can renovate everything. I’m actually thinking of turning it into a B&B. But even if I don’t, I can’t sell it in its current state. It has to be repaired.”

She purses her lips. “I had a feeling you might say that. And sure, if you want to apply for a loan, we can do that. But first I need to make sure you’re aware of the full situation Celeste left you with, because I’m not sure a loan will help.”

My stomach drops. That doesn’t sound good. “Okayyyy,” I say, drawing out the word.

“Yeah.” She nods. “When Haven called yesterday, I made a point of looking at the paperwork. The will, the deed, all that. And I have to tell you, it’s a little strange.”

“In what way?”

“Well, the good news is that the will is solid. You definitely inherited the manor. But it looks like Celeste refinanced the place decades ago and never kept up with the payments. It should have gone into foreclosure, but…it didn’t.”

“Wait, what? Are you sure?”

She nods. “Positive.”

“How did that happen? Did the bank just overlook the lack of payments?” Is that even possible?

Lauriel shrugs. “I doubt it. And it gets weirder. The interest has been piling up all these years, on top of the original loan. It’s a mystery how she managed to avoid making payments, though I have my suspicions. But the point is, now that ownership has changed hands, the full loan amount is due in fourteen days. And Annie, it’s nearly a hundred grand. If you can’t pay it off within two weeks, the bank will foreclose and auction the property.”

I lean back, stunned. “What? How is that not illegal? I’ve never heard of anything like this. It’s literally insane.”

She shrugs. “Neither have I. But this is the first time I’ve ever looked into the estate of a powerful—if not often practicing—witch. My gut tells me there was a spell in place to prevent Celeste from having to make payments, thereby allowing her to retain ownership. As to why she refinanced in the first place, or why she left you with the burden of only two weeks to make the payment, I have no idea. It’s not a very kind thing to do, but maybe she had a reason?”

This is crazy. Why would Celeste have taken out a mortgage on a house she didn’t live in? A house that the family has owned since day one? What could she have needed that money for? And why leave it to me without telling me about this bonkers caveat that can’t possibly be legal? Why would she leave me a house she knew I was going to lose?

Maybe she was senile after all.

“You could talk to Jim Hampshire,” Lauriel suggests. “He’s the best lawyer in town and he might be able to find some loopholes. But if I’m right and there’s a spell at play, it’s probably air tight. Though you would know more about that kind of thing that I would.”

I run a hand through my hair. “But Lauriel, I don’t have a hundred thousand dollars.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile. “I didn’t think you did. And that’s not even the worst part. The local property developer has his eye on the manor. He wants to knock down the house, rezone the land, and make a mixed-use development. Including Mini Golf on the Bluff and Grand Tetons, a very classy beer-and-wings chain.” She rolls her eyes. “One of those skeezy places where the waitresses have to wear tiny uniforms and all the menu items are double entendres. The logo is a suggestive pair of mountains.”

Ugh. What a horrible idea. “Well, I completely hate that.”

“Speak of the devil.” She points discreetly at the door. “Said property developer just walked in.”

I glance over my shoulder and my heart sinks as I take in the sight of him. Blond hair, hazel eyes, dimples. Blue suit with a red tie. Evil dressed up in the bland good looks of a newscaster. My ex and the enemy of my life: Chad Alder.

I turn back to Lauriel. “No. NO.”

She makes a sour face. “Unfortunately, yes. He’s got the money and the connections to buy the place if it goes into foreclosure. I’m so sorry, Annie, but things don’t look good.”

“What the hell am I gonna do?”

“I wish I knew. But I can tell you this much. Miller Higgins, the bank president, doesn’t have a drop of magic in him. He moved here from out of state a few years ago. He’s golf buddies with Chad and wouldn’t believe in an enspelled mortgage if you worked the magic in front of him. He’s dying to sell to Chad, so you won’t get any help here.” She opens a drawer and slides a fat manila envelope across the desk. “These are copies of everything I could find on the house, the mortgage, the will, etc. Maybe you’ll spot something useful.”

I slip the envelope into my bag and stand up. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Sure thing. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

I nod and move to get out of the bank before Chad spots me, but this is clearly not my day. I’m only feet from the door when he steps out of line and intercepts me.

“Annie Winslow?” He moves in for a hug and I deliberately drop my purse.

“Whoops!” I bend down to pick it up, avoiding his embrace. “Chad. I go by Anya now.”

He grins, looking like nothing so much as a used-car salesman. “Nah, you’ll always be

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