Page 20 of Secret Baby for Mr. Grump

Which they didn’t.

And while I could sympathize with them—it had to be hard seeing the son of the man who stole from them seemingly doing it again—I couldn’t regret what I did.

Yet, I found myself telling a huge lie anyway.

“I’m not the true owner of the resort,” I said, looking at Allie when I spoke. I wanted to see her expression and know if I was right about how she’d changed. “I only work for the company. They sent me over here to check on the place, make sure the place is still standing.”

“I thought you were a construction worker,” Allie’s sister said.

“Construction supervisor, actually,” I lied smoothly. “That’s why I'm here. To begin any renovations needed.”

“Still.” The old man didn’t seem to want to let go of his anger, still wagging his finger in my face. “I don’t like this at all. I don’t want the likes of you moving through my building as if you own the place.”

“You don’t have a choice,” I informed him. “You can either cooperate, or I can have you evicted. Either is fine by me.”

Her father gawped in outrage, and the whole family began talking all at once. The gist of it was that they couldn’t believe I said that to their father and also how I should not be here. I stood there watching them, bored with the whole display. It was a courtesy that I came to meet them today. I could have simply booted them all out the minute they signed away the resort and been done with it. But I’d agreed to the owner’s request for a meeting for common ground, even though it was not at all required to own the place.

They had no right to kick me out, but I had every right to remove them from the premises.

I whistled to get their attention, and they all fell silent like trained dogs.

I didn’t say anything, waiting for one of them to realize the obvious.

I didn’t have to wait long.

It dawned on Allie first, and she turned to her father. “Dad, he’s right. Let’s not cause a scene now.”

“But…but…” he sputtered.

“But nothing, Dad.” Her brother came forward, glaring at me fiercely. “We sold the resort to them, and that’s that. To renege it, you’d probably have to talk to a lawyer.” He said it with emphasis, as though hinting that his dad should do exactly that.

My smile widened even more. They were welcome to get as many lawyers as they wanted, but I could assure them that mine would win.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” A woman who looked like an older version of Allie said, and she was the only one who didn’t have clear animosity in her eyes when she looked at me. “He said he doesn’t own the place. He’s merely looking over it for his company.”

Still, Allie’s father didn’t seem like he wanted to budge.

Then suddenly, he deflated as if someone had taken the wind out of his sails, collapsing back on the chair.

“Dad!” His children and wife fussed over him for a few seconds, but he waved them off, glaring at me.

“Fine,” he said, and I supposed that was the end of it.

“Just how did you come to be working at this company of yours?” Allie’s brother questioned, eyeing me suspiciously as I studiously ignored him. I didn’t come here for a third degree.

“I assume this meeting is over?” I commented and turned around to leave when I heard a soft voice call out behind me.

“Wait.”

I turned to watch Allie walking determinedly toward me.

Her lips were pressed together, and she met my eyes, nodding decidedly.

“I’ll show you around.” She didn’t sound like she was giving me a choice.

“I’ll do it,” her brother countered, getting to his feet. But Allie shook her head, holding out her hand and sending him a warning look.

“I can handle it,” she said. “I know this place like the back of my hand and know every important detail. You stay here and make sure Dad doesn’t have a conniption.”

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