Page 115 of Small Town Sizzle

“Nothing else seems right,” he says dismissively.

“The wetlands aren’t part of the estate. They’re part of a trust, and no one is listed on it.”

“That’s what I heard, too, but surely the judge would know if that’s true or not,” Mom adds as she comes back into the kitchen and sits down next to Alex.

“There’s a court hearing today to figure it all out. There’s so many people lobbying for the development that we could lose it all today.”

My stomach twists, a cold dread settling over me. “That’s not possible. Those properties are protected. There are easements, land trusts, legal documentation—”

Alex raises an eyebrow. “Maybe therewas. But people are saying Natalie owns part of it now. She’s got half the town convinced she inherited it somehow.”

“That’s absurd,” I snap, turning off the stove and wiping my hands on a dish towel. My heart pounds in my chest, and my mind races. “It’s all lies. I have the paperwork that proves it’s lies.”

“You do?” Alex asks, his eyebrows shooting up.

“Yes,” I say, already moving toward the small desk in the corner of the room where I’ve been keeping all the papers. I’ve gone through all of them in the last few weeks. “Not just the deeds and easements. I’ve been sorting through Greta’s old files, and I found something else.”

I rummage through the stack of folders, my hands trembling slightly. Finally, I pull out the one I’ve been keeping tucked away. The one that Garrett had found for me in the office before we slept together for the first time.

The thought runs through me, and tears prick at my eyes. I miss him so much, but I’m too chicken to reach out to him just yet.

“Here,” I say, spreading it open on the table. “These are documents linking Northwestern, Plum Lane, and Oakmont Holdings. They’re all front companies. They buy up land, strip it of resources, and then leave it ruined. They’re laundering money. This isn’t just a development deal—it’s a scam. A massive, illegal scam.”

His eyes widen as he looks at the papers, and then he glances back up at me. “Aunt Maya, this is huge.”

“I know.”

“You’ve got to save it. The wetlands, the youth center—everything. If they win in court today…” He trails off, his expression grim.

I nod, already gathering the files and shoving them into my bag. “I’ll need to get this to the courthouse immediately.”

“Better hurry, but maybe you should shower first,” he teases, standing up and grabbing his jacket. “Do you need me to come with you?”

“No,” I say firmly, slinging the bag over my shoulder.

Mom steps in my way. “Shower first. You have time. You go in there looking like this and they’ll think you’re homeless.”

Alex barks out a laugh, and George’s giant head hits my hand in agreement.

“Fine.”

I let out a long sigh as I grab clothes out of my old bedroom before I go into the bathroom to shower. I stare back at myself in the mirror.

Thirty minutes later, I grab my keys and rush out the door, my mind racing as fast as my feet.

The courthouse is packed when I arrive, a sea of faces spilling out onto the steps. I push my way through the crowd, clutching my bag tightly, my breath coming in short bursts as I navigate the chaos.

Inside, the courtroom is just as full, the air buzzing with tension. I spot Garrett immediately, standing at the front of the room, addressing the judge. He looks calm and collected, but there’s an intensity in his voice that makes everyone hang on his every word.

“Hicks Creek isn’t just a town,” he says, his voice steady and strong. “It’s a community. It’s a place where people come together, and we care for each other. My mother believed in that with all her heart, and it’s why she fought so hard to protect the wetlands and build the youth center. She knew how important this place was—not just for us, but for future generations. And she was right.”

The judge watches him carefully, her expression unreadable, but I can see the faintest flicker of emotion in her eyes.

Garrett continues, his voice growing softer but no less powerful. “My mother purchased the land in question from Mr. Clyde Davis, a man who had no living family anywhere as he was an only child and never married. She purchased it at a very fair price, and all of it is documented properly. I had not even met my ex-wife at the time my mother purchased it. Until I returned home, I didn’t know it even existed. I’ve presented youwith my divorce papers that clearly show Natalie forfeited any portion of our marital estate when she was unfaithful during our marriage, but the property in question wasn’t listed on that in any way. These two people are part of a fake business that scams people out of money. I’ve presented evidence to you of such, your honor. They’re claiming there will be more jobs, a better economy, but it’s all lies.”

“I see your evidence, Mr. McAllister,” the judge says.

“When I came back here, I didn’t think I’d find anything worth staying for. I didn’t think I’d find a home. But I did. I found a town full of people who care and who fight for what’s right. Hicks Creek is worth fighting for. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure it stays the amazing, vibrant place it’s always been.”

---