The City Girl's Homecoming. Kathy Douglass
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on.”
“I’d like to set up a trust that would protect your property and money that your brother currently doesn’t control. Once we gain control of the rest, we’ll be able to protect that, as well. And if neither of you is interested or feels qualified to act as trustee, I’ll hire one for you.”
The sisters shared a long look. “That would be all right,” Birdie said finally.
“Great. I’ll take care of that right away. Now, the second thing we need to discuss is whether or not you want to bring criminal charges against Greg.”
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine putting my baby brother in jail,” Birdie said.
“Your baby brother is robbing you blind,” Megan pointed out. “If we hadn’t caught him in time, you could have ended up on the street.”
“Still...we need time to think about that.”
“Good enough.” At least she’d gotten them to take the first steps to protect themselves in the future. “Take your time and consider what I’ve told you. In the meantime, I’ll get busy setting up the trust. I’ll make sure that your brother doesn’t have the ability to make financial decisions for you any longer. Your assets will be protected, although I can’t promise we’ll be able to get any of your money back. No doubt it’s already gone.”
“Okay.” Birdie picked up the documents Megan had given to them and tried to hand them back.
“Those are your copies,” Megan said. “I have my own. Read them over at your leisure. If you have any questions, I’m always available to answer them.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that, dear,” Bunny said. “We trust you. It’s good to know we’re in such good hands.”
Megan didn’t bother to tell the older woman that it was that kind of blind trust that had landed them in the mess they were in. At her age, she wasn’t likely to change. But since Megan was trustworthy and her boss Daniel was as well, she knew the sisters truly were in good hands. No one else would be able to harm them anymore.
Megan stood and grabbed her briefcase.
“Don’t tell me you need to leave right now,” Bunny said.
“I’m afraid so. Thanks again for lunch. It was wonderful.” Megan walked beside the sisters to the front door. Before Megan stepped onto the shady porch, Bunny gave her a hug. Surprised, Megan froze. It had been a while since she’d been the recipient of such open affection. Pushing down unexpected emotions, she returned the hug, then walked to her car. As she drove away, she hoped the sisters would take her advice and bring criminal charges against their brother. Family was a precious thing, and anyone who took advantage of their siblings deserved to be punished.
As she headed for her office, her thoughts drifted back to Cade Battle. He was probably the best-looking man she’d ever seen, and undoubtedly the grumpiest. Still, he’d been kind to Bunny so she knew he couldn’t be all bad. Not that it mattered. He clearly didn’t like her.
And she couldn’t help wonder why it bothered her so much that he didn’t.
As Cade turned from the driveway onto the road, his stomach growled in protest. He’d looked forward to lunch with the Whitaker sisters all morning. Birdie and Bunny were fabulous cooks and baked the absolute best desserts. While he’d been knocked around as he fought to get the pig into his truck, it had been the thought of the delicious meal waiting for him that had kept him going. And then Ms. Susie Sunshine in her power suit had come along and ruined it all.
Cade had seen her around town a few times over the past month. Who could miss her? Tall, with a curvy body and a stunning face, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life. Their eyes had met and locked on one of those occasions and his mouth had gone dry. He’d ignored the reaction. It had only taken one look at her impeccable makeup, gorgeous hair, perfectly manicured nails and stylish clothes to instantly know the type of woman she was. He’d once been in love with her type. He’d been left heartbroken by her type. He needed to avoid her type.
She had city girl written all over her. There wasn’t the slightest doubt in his mind that she’d moved to Spring Forest because she was running from something. Perhaps she thought that a change of scenery would fix whatever was wrong with her life. But once she’d recovered from her broken heart or lost job or whatever it was that had sent her here, she’d hightail it out of North Carolina so fast she’d leave a trail of smoke behind her.
Just look at her clothes. She dressed as if she was still living in the city. He knew she was a lawyer, but Daniel Sutton was, too, and he didn’t walk around wearing three-piece suits. No, he dressed like he was a member of the community, not someone who was passing through on the way to someplace better.
Cade had made the mistake of believing his former fiancée could be happy living a quiet life on the Battle Lands Farm. Deadra had sworn that she loved him and that sharing her life with him was all she wanted. Then she’d left him for a slick Chicago lawyer and hadn’t looked back. He’d been fooled once by a pretty city woman. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Despite knowing the danger she presented to his emotional well-being, there was something about Megan Jennings that appealed to him. He’d heard her gasp when Little Piggy had charged him, and knew it was because she’d been afraid for him. Though clearly her fear was rooted in her concern for a fellow human and not him specifically, her reaction had warmed his heart. It didn’t change the fact that she was a city girl. And it certainly didn’t mean he would let down his guard with her. Still, it was proof that a caring heart beat beneath that designer suit.
Frowning, Cade turned on the radio, hoping the music would erase all thoughts of Megan and the sound of her laughter from his mind. It didn’t work. Despite the singer’s voice and the sound of the drums and bass, he could still hear Megan’s sexy alto voice. Just hearing her say his name had been enough to set his imagination racing in the wrong direction. And he could still picture her sparkling eyes. But none of that mattered. He didn’t have time for a woman, even if he met one who would be happy living here. He had plans.
Cade switched off the radio and drove the rest of the way home in silence. When he reached the farm, he signaled and turned into the driveway beneath the iron sign announcing the Battle Lands Farm. Rather than stopping at the front of the house, he continued to the back to where the barns were located. The pig, which had been relatively quiet, suddenly began to snort and move around as much as it could in the truck bed.
The back door of his father’s house opened and he stepped outside. Although his dad was in his midfifties, he was still strong as an ox. With his father’s help, it would be a lot easier to get the pig out of the truck than it had been to get it in.
“So, this is our new guest,” his dad said, with a smile. Reginald Battle took being a good neighbor to new heights. If there was someone he could help, he did without hesitation. If he couldn’t help, he didn’t rest until he found someone who could. Never once in his life had Cade seen his father reject anyone’s request for assistance. While their farm wasn’t an animal rescue, they constantly took in animals that the Whitaker sisters were unable to accommodate. The pig was just the latest in a string of goats, chickens and geese that had come to reside on their farm. This was their first pig. And given how difficult it was to get it into the truck, Cade hoped it would be the last.
“This is him.” Cade shook his head and grinned. “Bunny called him Little Piggy.”
Reginald roared at the name. “She didn’t think that one through.”
“Not at all. Anyway, I want to get this pig settled in the barn. This little trip has set me behind on the work I planned to do for the day.”
“Then let’s get this one into his new home.”
Cade backed the truck up to the barn, and then he