Page 103 of Taken By Storm

He gave it a squeeze. “She is.”

Mom’s smile lit up the kitchen. “I’m so happy for you. Kasi is a darling girl. So sweet and smart and funny.”

“She’s all that and more,” Levi agreed. “It was just like you said, Dad. One look and I knew.”

“You’ve known her forever,” Dad pointed out.

Sam laughed. “That’s what Everett said.”

Levi rolled his eyes. “I’m not sure how to explain it. It was like I had blinders on and the second they fell away, she was there, and I saw my entire future laid out in front of me.”

Mom placed her hand over her heart. “Marriage? Children?” Mom had been dropping not-so-subtle hints for years about her desire for grandchildren.

Levi nodded. “I want all of that with her. If it was up to me, I’d already have my ring on her finger, but Kasi’s younger and a lot less experienced when it comes to relationships.”

Dad snorted. “Wouldn’t exactly say you were an expert, son. Can’t recall you bringing too many girlfriends around in the past.”

“Or any,” Sam added.

Levi chuckled. “She and I are going to have to teach other how to be part of a couple.”

“Gonna have to get Scottie out of the way first,” Sam grumbled. Levi loved that his brother was as pissed about Scottie’s treatment of Kasi as he was. He also knew without a fact that if his other five brothers had been here for this conversation, they’d be just as outraged.

“I have no doubt you and Kasi are meant to be. It’s all just so wonderful,” Mom gushed. “And perfect. Because I know you’ll take care of each other and spend as many happy years together as your father and I have.”

Dad reached over and ran an affectionate finger down Mom’s face. “Kasi will make a fine wife, and it will be nice to have her become an official part of the family. God knows she’s been an honorary one forever,” Dad agreed.

“She has a big heart,” Mom added.

“She does. Which is why if I find out Scottie is pressuring her to marry him so that he can steal her family’s land—” Levi started.

Dad stood up. “Sam, tell your brothers we’re going to need them to cover for Levi this morning in the field.” He glanced at his watch. “Herb’s office opens at eight. Levi, you and I are going to be there when he arrives.”

An hour later,Levi and his father were standing at the counter of the commissioner’s office, Kasi’s stack of bills resting in front of them. Levi fought to calm his temper when Herb said he didn’t realize Scottie had been in contact with Kasi.

“It’s my job to collect the taxes from the Mills family, not the mayor’s. I gave them an extension the first year because that fire wiped out most of their crop and then this year…” Herb sighed. “Well, I wasn’t in a hurry to call and demand money after Mrs.Mills passed. That family has seen more than their fair share of tragedies.”

Dad nodded in agreement. “They really have.”

Herb held up a yellow legal pad with names and phone numbers on it. “I was just working my way through all the voicemails that came in from when I was out west. I’ll admit I’ve never learned how to make one of those out-of-the-office messages. I have it on my list here to call Kasi back. I had no idea Scottie was pressuring them to pay the amount in full immediately. We set up payment plans,” Herb said to Dad. “You know that. The council made that an official guideline a few years ago. Voted on it and everything.”

“Have the Millses ever been on a payment plan?” Dad asked.

Herb shook his head. “These past two years are the first time they’ve ever failed to pay their taxes.”

Levi and Dad hadn’t mentioned Scottie’s marriage proposal or their suspicions that Scottie was preying on the Mills family for his own personal gain.

“Are you aware of Scottie contacting anyone else who was behind on payments?” Levi asked.

“No,” Herb replied. “Never. Gotta admit I’m kind of shocked to hear he was overstepping. Just between me and you, no one’s ever accused Scottie of working too hard on his mayoral duties. More interested in strutting around town like a bigwig than pushing papers.”

Dad crossed his arms. “And there are other people in town on payment plans?”

Herb tapped his pen on the counter. “Several families. You know how it is. Some years are good, some are bad, but we don’t punish those who are behind. We give them time to recoup losses and pay us back. Scottie knows that. Most of the people who live in Gracemont have deep roots here. It’s what makes this town so great.”

Levi walked over to a large map of Gracemont, hanging on a bulletin board. He ran his finger over it until he found Lucky Penny Farm, clearly marked. Then he drew his finger upward until he found the line that separated that farm from the Grovers’.

Herb frowned, taking note of what Levi was studying. “Wait. Do you think the mayor is interested in getting Lucky Penny Farm? Is he trying to force foreclosure?”

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