Page 56 of Taken By Storm

“But we need our land for crops,” Kasi countered.

“And yet you failed to plant anything this spring in the fields that burned. All that land is just sitting there doing nothing.”

“My mom died!” Kasi spat out, hating the way Scottie put her on the defensive, the way he spoke to her like she was an idiot.

Condescending prick.

“I know that, sweetheart.”

“I’m not your sweetheart.”

Scottie sighed, like she was being the irrational one here. “I’m not blaming you or insinuating you’ve done anythingwrong. A cute little thing like you shouldn’t have to worry about such things.”

She was two seconds away from kicking this misogynistic asshole in the nuts.

“But the fact is, your family is in financial trouble,” he continued. “You understand how serious failure to pay is, right? Your home and the land are facing foreclosure.”

Nausea clogged Kasi’s throat at the thought of losing the farm. Her father had spent his entire life here. Hell, he’d been born in the bedroom where he was currently sleeping.

Losing Mama had nearly destroyed him.

Losing his home?

God. There would be no coming back from that.

“Foreclosure,” she whispered, the word tasting like poison on her lips.

“Yes. But that danger goes away if you marry me because I’ll pay the tax bill. And then, you don’t have to worry about planting anything ever again. I promise there’s far more money in horses than in the crops you sell. And the best part is, your brother and father could still live here.”

“And the fruit stand?” It was a stupid question because the second she asked it, she could tell Scottie viewed it as her agreement.

“Kasi, once we start having children, you’ll be too busy to run that stand. Besides, you won’t need to. I have more than enough money to support us.”

“No.” There were so many vomit-inducing words in this conversation, she wasn’t sure she could hold the bile back.

“This is the only solution. You must see that.”

She didn’t see that at all, but she was struggling to find ways to reject him without saying some really rude words. While she had no intention of marrying the asshole, she wasn’t sure just how vindictive the man might become.

Scottie must have confused her silence for consideration of his proposal because he continued to make what he must’ve thought was an excellent case. “You’ll move into my wing in the family home.”

Oh, of course. Because there was nothing more inviting than marrying a thirty-year-old man who still lived with his mommy and daddy.

“And your father and brother will be right next door, so you can visit them whenever you want. Your dad can keep a garden, and I know your brother is fond of animals. Perhaps he’d want to start working for me and my dad with the horses. There are always stalls to clean out.”

Suuuuuure. Keith would definitely sign up to shovel shit on the Grover’s Farm.

Kasi wanted to reject the idea outright, but her head was still swimming in numbers. Too many numbers. All starting with negative signs.

Foreclosure was no longer something looming out there in the distance. Scottie had pulled it out, plopped it in front of her, and made it a reality.

Hopelessness washed through her. “I think I’d prefer to talk to Herb first…about the payment plan.”

“He’ll say no,” Scottie insisted with such conviction, she couldn’t help but believe him. “Marriage is an extreme answer.”

“This is a very generous offer, Kasi. Do you know how many women would jump at the chance to be Gracemont’s First Lady?” Scottie scowled, annoyed that she wasn’t rushing to accept and kissing his feet for making the offer.

He’d been an insufferable asshole before becoming mayor. Now, his haughty arrogance and pompous self-worth were off the charts.

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