Page 11 of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Which was why I was still going to her. Plus, I knew it was unrealistic to think she could make me better overnight. Except it had been half a year, which wasn’t exactly overnight.

“I like her,” I said. “And I like that she includes Colt in some of our sessions.” I gave her a weak smile. “I still can’t believe he wants to go.”

“He loves you so much,” she said. “He’ll do practically anything to help you through this.”

“I know all that,” I said, once again wondering why he put up with me. I knew whatIwas getting out of this relationship, but from what I could see, all he got was a heap of trouble. He’d been through a traumatic experience too, and he seemed to have gotten over it within a month.

“I really think a weekend away might help,” she said. “We can leave Friday morning. I don’t have an appointment until seven o’clock Monday night, so we won’t need to hurry back that morning.”

“That’s not much time to prepare,” I said half-heartedly.

“It’s Tuesday night, Magnolia. It’s plenty of time.”

“Okay,” I relented, hoping she was right. Hoping I could shake myself out of this.

“Good,” she said, reaching for my hand and squeezing it tight. “I’ll do some searching tonight and let you know tomorrow afternoon what I find.”

“Sounds good,” I said, smiling faintly at her. “Thank you, Belinda.”

“Of course.” She paused, tears filling her eyes. “I love you, Magnolia. I want to help you through this.” She gave me a tight hug, then got to her feet. “I need to go. Do you want me to lock the door behind me?”

Colt had given her a key to the apartment, but I wasn’tthatneedy. “No,” I said, rising from the sofa. “I’m going to get ready for bed.”

“Be kind to yourself,” she said as she stopped at the door. “You’re making progress. You just don’t see it.”

“Thanks.”

I locked the door behind her and turned to face the living room and kitchen. Belinda had pointed out that I called it Colt’s apartment, and I realized she was right. I did. The question was why didn’t it feel like my home too?

Perhaps because I couldn’t shake the memories of my father invading the space. My father was dead, and Colt had asked the building manager to change the locks, but I still felt on guard here. Maybe Colt would be willing to move before our lease was up. Even if we couldn’t afford it.

But why should he be forced to move because I was feeling skittish? He’d already given up so much because of me. That was one thing too many.

I started to pick up my glass of water, but I reached for the envelope instead. Maybe everyone was right and I should just open it. In a strange way, it had more power to hurt me if I left it unopened. Besides, I was damn tired of secrets.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed a loose edge of the envelope flap, ripped it open, and pulled out the single sheet of paper.

Dear Ms. Magnolia Steele,

We were sorry to hear about your mother’s death. Lila Mae Steele was a remarkable woman—a true force of nature. We’re hoping you are more amenable than your mother.

I nearly laughed. They’d certainly pegged my mother accurately, but I wasn’t sure they’d be much happier with me.

Your mother was the sole owner of her family’s farm outside of Sweet Briar. It’s not a large property—two hundred acres. It hasn’t been farmed in decades, but it’s in a great location and I’ve been approached by someone who wishes to purchase the property. Your mother did the bare minimum to maintain the property and refused to rent out the land to nearby farmers. If you don’t have plans for it, it only makes sense to sell it before the taxes are due at the end of the year.

If you are willing, we will proceed with the sale and overnight the paperwork you need to sign. Since the land and buildings have no liens or back taxes owed, you will make a very nice profit. Feel free to call us at the number listed below if you have any questions or wish to proceed.

Sincerely,

Wilber B. Cooper, Esq.

I stared at the letter in disbelief. The farm hadn’t been in Momma’s will, and while I knew she was from Sweet Briar, I hadn’t known about the land. Why hadn’t she mentioned it? Why hadn’t she sold it? I definitely planned to call, because if I could make several hundred thousand dollars, it would solve so many of my immediate problems. Of course, there might be complications with Roy, but surely the fact that the lawyers had reached out to me, not him, meant the land must be in my name.

After I put the letter back in the envelope, I tucked it into my purse, planning to call them in the morning.

I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then went into the semidark bedroom and stripped down to my underwear. Quickly, I pulled one of Colt’s T-shirts out of his drawer andtugged it over my head so I didn’t have to catch a glimpse of the long scars covering my abdomen. I still couldn’t bring myself to look at them very often. Seeing the scars on my thighs was bad enough.

I climbed into bed and turned on a Hallmark Channel movie—disgusted that I’d resorted to watching such fluff—but soon fell asleep.

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