Page 100 of Taken By Storm

Levi sighed and took another sip of coffee. His brothers had all retired for the evening when he’d returned from Remi’s, but he planned to talk to them today as they worked in the vineyard. He needed advice. Badly.

He turned his gaze toward the driveway when he heard a motorcycle approaching. Levi rose as Keith pulled in front of the house. Shutting off the bike, the young man took off his helmet, then unfastened the satchel attached to the back.

“Come to steal more beer?” Levi half-heartedly joked when Keith climbed the steps to join him on the porch.

Keith gave him a sheepish grin and shook his head. “No. I overheard something that’s bothering me.”

“Does it have something to do with Scottie proposing to Kasi?”

“Yeah.”

“She dropped that bomb on me yesterday.” Levi gestured to the rocking chair next to his, the two of them sitting down together.

“You can’t let her marry that asshole,” Keith said vehemently.

“Didn’t intend to.”

“So you’re not giving up on her?”

Levi scowled. “Never.”

Keith’s shoulders relaxed. “Good. Because Scottie’s not a nice guy. He wouldn’t be good to her.”

“I agree, but until I get to the bottom of why she thinks she needs to marry him?—”

“I think it might have something to do with all of this,” Keith interjected, pulling a stack of papers from his satchel. He handed them to Levi.

“Bills?” Levi asked, as he flipped through the pages. He mentally began doing some calculations, and his suspicions regarding the Mills’ financial state were quickly confirmed. It appeared they owed a sizeable amount on the new—destroyed—tractor he’d seen in the midst of the burned-out fields, and they were in debt to the town, their personal property taxes unpaid for the past two years.

Regardless…

“I’m not sure I see a connection,” Levi said to Keith.

“Me either, but I know Kasi has spent a lot of time poring over those bills, and while she tries to hide it, I can tell she’s stressed out. The Grovers have a lot of money.”

“You think your sister is marrying Scottie to save the farm?”

Keith rubbed the back of his neck wearily. “Everything Kasi does these days is for the farm, for me, and for Dad. I hate that we’ve let her take on all that responsibility without helping her. I’ve spent the last few days trying to find a way to apologize for being such a dick to her, but…”

Levi had never seen such outright despair on a boy’s face. Keith was still young, only eighteen. Boys his age should be thinking about girls, going to the movies, and hanging out with his friends. Instead, the kid was sitting here, beating himself up over how he’d acted after losing his mother.

“Just say the words,” Levi suggested. “Because I promise, once they’re out there, not only will Kasi feel better, but you willtoo. You didn’t do or say a damn thing that can’t be fixed with a heartfelt apology.”

He’d said the same thing to Keith that night behind the brewery. Now, like then, Keith didn’t look convinced.

“You gotta let go of the guilt,” Levi added. “It’ll cripple you until you do.”

Keith considered that, then nodded. “You’re right.” He still looked troubled as he turned his gaze toward the horizon.

Stormy Weather Farm had the greatest views on the planet. Ordinarily, the surroundings brought him peace, but this morning, Levi might as well be looking at an apocalyptic wasteland.

“What happens if we can’t pay the taxes?” Keith asked, obviously worried about the bills.

Levi rubbed his jaw, his fingers toying with his beard. “Herb at the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office usually works with people. Sets up a payment plan if needed.” Levi glanced back down at the stack of notices. On every single one, the amount due was the total. “Doesn’t look like he’s done that here.”

“Kasi would have asked,” Keith said. “You think he refused?”

Levi lifted one shoulder. “I’m not sure. I don’t know much about the way Gracemont does business, but I could ask my dad. He’s on the town council.”

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