Page 41 of The Billionaire Land Baron

Shelby saw Matt’s truck in his driveway. He and Jake stood there, talking. The last two people she wanted to see.

“Keep driving!”

Gracielynn plastered a smile on her face and waved. “They already saw us,” she said through gritted teeth.

Shelby ducked lower in the car seat.

“Not gonna work, sweetie. Let’s do this. Come on.”

Gracie made it out of the car first as Matt crossed the road. Jake still stood in Matt’s driveway, leaning against the bed of the truck with his hands in his pockets. Shelby felt humiliated. Gracie waved him over. “Hey, Jake.”

Slowly Jake followed over and the four of them stood in the gravel driveway of the house for sale.

“I thought you were working this morning, Shel,” Matt said.

Shelby cleared her throat. “I had some time free and we took the morning to look at some places.”

Shelby didn’t want to look at either man, but saw them both turn towards the small house they stood in front of. It was a wreck. Long abandoned, tall weeds choked out the front yard and several shutters were missing or hanging off. The whole thing needed to be stripped and repainted. It even sat a little crooked, like it had gotten weary of standing tall. Maybe more than anything it needed a bulldozer.

“You’re looking at this place, Shelby?” Matt met her gaze and she couldn’t tell for once what emotion was on his face. It looked like several were warring for control of his features.

“It’s just one of a few places we’re looking at,” Gracie said. Shelby shot her a grateful look for taking over the conversation.

“Cat got your tongue?” Matt said.

Shelby narrowed her eyes. “Maybe Gracie just likes to talk.”

“No one likes talking more than you,” Matt said, rocking back on his heels. Shelby felt like he was trying to pick a fight with her, but she didn’t even understand about what. Because she lied about working this morning? Because she was looking at a house across the street from him?

Gracie stared between them and then stuck out her hand. “I met you in passing last night at the Line. I’m Gracielynn.”

“I remember. Good to see you again.” Jake looked to Shelby, but she couldn’t meet his eyes.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Matt still glared at her and Jake and Gracie both just looked confused.

“Well. We best get inside and take a look around,” Gracie said.

“No,” said Shelby. “I don’t need to see it. I couldn’t live here.”

Matt looked like steam might come out of his ears. His jaw tightened and Shelby felt a little bad. But this moment confirmed everything she had been thinking. She had to pull back and let Matt go. He couldn’t keep waiting around, hoping she changed her mind about him. It had to stop. Even if it hurt them both.

“You sure?” Gracie said. “There’s just one more place to see.”

“Let’s go,” Shelby said. It took her a moment to conjure up the guts to speak to Jake. But she needed to do that too. “Will I see you later Jake? You can stop by the diner for dinner if you’d like.”

She wasn’t surprised to see the familiar blush creep over his cheeks. “I’ve, uh, actually got plans.”

“With who?” Both Shelby and Matt said at the same time.

Jake looked uncomfortable. “I’m going for a swim at the mayor’s house.”

“Mayor McClure? Really?” Shelby couldn’t hide the disdain from her voice.

“At least I know there won’t be any gators,” Jake said, lightly.

“You’d be safer with T-Ball,” Shelby muttered.

“Why? Is the mayor scary?”

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