Page 79 of Brands

She rolls her bottom lip between the flash of her teeth, but nods.

After a light knock, I push into the bright room.

“Hey, Blue! Oh, and you brought Libby?” Clay looks genuinely happy to see me, yet his brows knit as he watches his daughter sit on the stool next to him.

“I wanted to come see you, so Blue let me tag along.” Her easy answer hides the tension in her neck.

Clay squints at her while his fingers knead at the hem of the blanket covering him. “You aren’t here to try and stop this, are you?”

“No,” I interject. “She’s seen the deal and is fine with it.” I take that moment to open the folder she passed to me in the hall.

“Here’s the purchase information for the cows, and here’s an offer in full for the dairy and property.” I slide the papers to him. “There’s a notary here if you want to sign them today, then you’ll be able to close next week.”

Clay’s hands shake as he flips through. “Blue…this is more money than I was expecting.” He glances over the last page. “Who is this, Rebel Industries Trust?”

It’s a fight to hide my grin at the surprised look on Libby’s face.

I wanted to tell her it’s what took so long, but this reaction makes the secret worth it.

Getting the trust established was the hardest part. Now, no matter what happens to me, she’ll get her farm back.

“They’re an outfit from south of here. Friends of friends.” I wave idly. It’s the truth…in circles. “But it’s a limited time offer.” I’ll give him a little push if that’s what it takes for him to accept.

His eyes widen. “Done deal. Good riddance. And I even get to keep my house.” He traces the lines on the plat map with his finger showing the division between the farm and residence.

“I’ll get the lady,” Libby says quietly, tossing me a raised eyebrow before she leaves.

Clay groans and leans against the pillows. “I really thought she was going to fight this harder. I’m glad she’s finally seeing reason.”

He’s pissing me off. “Why is it such a bad thing she wants to keep it? Who do you think has been running it the last few months while you’ve been in and out of the hospital?”

“She’s too young to know what she wants.” His eyes close. “I told her she needs to hang out with that McCullough boy, he’d take care of her.”

I take a deep breath and hold it for a moment as theanger rages inside of me.

No one else can touch her.

She’smine.

“I think you underestimate her,” I grit through my teeth.

He cracks one eye, focusing on me. “Who’s side are you on?”

“The best one.” I manage to get out as the door swings open.

Libby and an older woman in a suit and lavishly styled red hair push into the room.

“This is my dad, Clay.” Libby gestures sharply at her father.

I can tell she’s irritated. She doesn’t know the half of it.

My fist is balled against my knee in an effort not to say anything to ruin this.

“I’m Stasia,” the woman says, then glances towards me.

Her thick lipstick turns up at the corner as she appraises me.

I’ve seen that look before.Hunger.

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