Grey pulled out his phone and called Adler. “Hey, Warren. It’s Grey. What do you know about U.S. Forest Service permits and real estate?”
Ten minutes later, no closer to an answer, he hung up feeling pessimistic. He went back to his office to further research the legal terms Adler had mentioned: easements, rights-of-way, adverse possession. He also studied the fine print of his permit documentation, hoping to find some kind of grant of access. Of course, his damned dyslexia made the task doubly challenging. He unwrapped his fourth sucker, but no amount of candy could lift his mood today.
At four thirty, he dashed across town to catch Avery at the clinic before she went home. Looking back on the first time he’d blown through these doors bracing for a confrontation, it seemed less fraught with trepidation than the confrontation about to occur. When her last patient strolled out the door, she approached him.
“I didn’t expect to see you here today.” She gave him a quick kiss, but her fidgety body language indicated her distraction. “My parents are here already, so I can’t join you for dinner or anything. My dad’s barking at me to get home.”
“I need five minutes.” He clasped her hand. “I wish I didn’t, but I do.”
“I don’t like the sound of your voice.” She narrowed her eyes. “If this is going to upset me, can it wait until next week? I really can’t handle anything else until after Andy’s trial.”
“No, it can’t wait. Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to deal with this either, but things are happening that are making it impossible for me to settle for Andy’s insurance proceeds.”
“What things?” She glanced at his knee. “Did your doctor give you bad news?” The concern in her voice tugged at his heart and burned though his stomach. Fuck.
“No. This is about business. In a nutshell, Wade Kessler’s new project cuts off our access to a substantial portion of land covered by our special-use permit, and that will wreck my business. I’m going to need time and money to come up with some alternatives.”
“How is that related to the accident and Andy?” She withdrew, her expression confused.
He drew a breath, hoping she’d understand his perspective. “I’ve been willing to consider taking less than I need—less than I deserve—because of my feelings for you. But now making that sacrifice would very likely cost me everything. That doesn’t seem fair, especially when this injury isn’t my fault.”
“I know it’s not fair. Nothing about our situation is fair.” Avery’s troubled expression dug beneath his skin. “I’m not sure what you expect me to say. Are you asking for my blessing?”
“No. I’m telling you so you don’t hear it from someone else first.” He reached out for her hands. “I came to you as soon as I realized what was happening. You know I want to keep my promise not to hurt you or drag your family through some ugly stuff. I’m hoping maybe you, your brother, and I can sit down and find a solution together so we all get what we need.”
“Well, with Andy facing jail time and life as a felon, I doubt he cares much about his financial trouble, let alone yours.” Avery eased free of Grey’s grip and ran her hands through her ponytail, her eyes darting around the clinic, her teeth worrying her lower lip. He’d rarely seen her look so flustered. “Sorry, but I warned you I’m not at my best today. I’ve got to go home. My dad’s already called me twice today. He’s got something important to discuss. I guess we’ll talk about this tomorrow, or next week, after Andy’s hearing.”
“Call me later.” When he pulled her close, her stiff body set off alarms. He tipped her chin up and stared into her eyes. “Avery, I’m still looking into alternatives. If there’s any option that lets you keep your house and me keep my business, I’ll take it. And I promise I won’t do anything without telling you first, okay? We’re in this together.”
“Thanks.” Her weak smile offered little comfort. “Listen, I probably won’t call you tonight. You know how my dad wears me down. I don’t want to end up arguing with you because I’m keyed up about what’s going on with my family. We’ll talk about this legal mess later, all right?”
“I wish I could comfort you, Bambi. If you’re upset, I want to be there for you.”
“There’s nothing you can do or say to make it better, especially given what you just told me.” She wiped her hand over her face. “I’m not blaming you. This is just a difficult time for all of us.”
He didn’t say another word as he walked her to her car. Her quick kiss good-bye left him anxious and unhappy.
Naturally, because God had it in for him, he crossed paths with Matt on his way home.
“You don’t look nearly as cocksure as you did at the jazz festival.” Matt stopped on the sidewalk in front of Grizzly’s, tucking his hands under his armpits.
“Mind your own business.”
“Contrary to your opinion, the Randalls are my business.” Matt sighed. “You don’t have to like it, or me, but you should get used to seeing me around town, and around Avery.”
Grey’s hands balled into fists, but he counted to ten in his head. “You seem to enjoy trying to get a rise out of me, but as I said before, I don’t think all the Randalls are as eager for your company as Andy.”
“I made one big mistake, but I’m not a terrible guy, and I do have history with them and this town. Maybe I’ll earn a second chance with them—maybe sooner than you think.” Matt shot Grey a two-finger salute before stepping inside the bar.
Grey stared at the door, debating whether or not to take the bait. His grandfather’s voice echoed in his head, telling him to keep his eye on the prize and not get distracted by other people’s bullshit. With much effort, he backed away and walked home, desperately hoping for a magical solution to his dilemma.
“Smells good.” Avery closed the oven door after taking a quick peek at the lasagna Andy had prepared for dinner with their parents. She glanced at the ceiling, hoping he couldn’t read the extra distress in her face. “I need a glass of wine before Mom and Dad come down.”
“Lucky you.” Andy placed the final napkin and set of silverware at the table. “I have to face Dad sober these days.”
“Sorry, but I really need this right now.” She gulped down a big swallow of Cabernet Sauvignon. “We’re all dealing with a lot these days.”
“Some of us more than others.” Andy pulled at his collar and stared at his feet, avoiding her direct gaze.
“I know you’re worried about the trial, but I told you, Grey hasn’t even talked to the prosecutor. If they ask for a statement before sentencing, he won’t make things worse. You’ve done everything your lawyer suggested. I have to believe it will all make a difference to a judge. I think things will not turn out as badly as you imagine, at least not in the criminal trial.”
“The way you just said that makes it sound like Grey is changing his mind about not suing me.”
“Things are forcing his hand, but he’s still looking for alternatives, Andy.” She recalled the distraught tone of Grey’s voice as he relayed his circumstances. “He’s making every effort to avoid turning our lives upside down.”
“Well, it won’t matter if he sues us anyhow.” Andy then seemed to check himself. His cheeks turned pink as he turned his head away.
“Why do you look so guilt-stricken?” She tipped her head, awaiting his response. “Andy?”
“I hear Dad coming down the steps.” He swiped his palms across his shorts twice before rubbing the back of his neck. Their dad had made Andy nervous for most of his life. Since the accident, it had been even worse.