Page 28 of Pain in the Axe
“Sorry, baby,” she crooned, rubbing the back of his head. When he snuggled into her neck again, she gave me a warm smile. “I’m proud of you.”
I shrugged. “It’s a lot, especially striking out on my own without my partners. But this is what I do. I’ll whip everything into shape. I’ve got thousands of acres, part ownership in the Golden Road, and a full campus with every type of state-of-the-art technology, including a goddamn airstrip and helipad. It’s wild.”
“You are so fancy. But you don’t even live up here. How are you gonna manage this on your own?”
“I do live up here,” I said. “Bought a house.”
She shook her head, brows furrowed. “You didn’t.”
“I did. You’re looking at the owner of a gorgeous waterfront home on Lake Millinocket.”
“In Lovewell?” Her face was one of total disgust.
Heartsborough and Lovewell were the largest towns in this region, and both were fully devoted to the timber industry.
When we were kids, Lovewell was the prosperous town, with its beautiful square and lively town festivals.
They had a gorgeous lakefront, parks, and mountain views.
And Heartsborough had always been its dumpy cousin.
We all had chips on our shoulders where Lovewell was concerned. And for good reason. Lovewell was a much nicer community, and the people there always acted like they were better than us.
Not that our family struggled. No, our family’s business took good care of us, but historically, the LeBlancs were a Heartsborough family. We were loyal and dedicated to our own.
“I can’t believe it,” Celine said. “Forget the helipad. Now Iknowyou’re too fancy for us. Lovewell? You gonna drink tea with your pinky in the air?”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out of me at the image. “It’s not like that anymore,” I assured her. “They’ve had a tough time too. And we don’t have a lake here, so it just made sense.”
“Lakefront?” she scoffed.
“Hey, I bought the giant lake house so I could have a kick-ass summer with my amazing nieces and nephew. The damn thing even came with a boat.”
“You’re going to spoil them,” she said.
“Too late.” I grinned, then called for Ellie and Maggie to come over. “Did you girls hear? I bought a house on Lake Millinocket. It’s got a private beach and a dock and it even came with a boat.”
The wild shrieks that escaped my nieces were so loud I had to cover my ears.
Maggie was bouncing on her toes. “You’re the best auntie ever.”
“Do you have one of those water trampoline things?” Ellie asked, clutching my arm.
“Oh my god, can we live with you?”
“Oh, please? Do you have spare bedrooms? Our house issoboring.”
I gave my sister a satisfied smirk, and she responded by sticking her tongue out at me.
“The main house has five bedrooms,” I said, smiling so big my cheeks hurt. “But there are also two guest cottages.”
Cue more screaming and jumping.
“Can we go on your boat?”
“Sure,” I said. “How about this weekend?”
Julian wiggled out of his mother’s arms and took off after his sisters as they headed back to the yard to play.
