Page 36 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

If it were about me or about some complication I’ve created, would he really discuss it in front of me?

I know the answer deep in my soul.

Dalton would try to protect me from whatever is happening, the same way he’s bent over backward since the moment he appeared on the homestead to do anything and everything necessary to ensure Davey and I can stay here.

And I can’t force him to tell me.

As much as I may want to know what’s about to be said out there, I am not inanyposition to demand or evenrequestanything from the man who is already sacrificing so much for us.

“I understand.”

I don’t.

He slips out the door and closes it behind him, and through the window to my right, I see Pops lean against the rail, staring at what is stilltheirproperty, even if I’ve been living on it and trying to make it my own.

It’s already starting to look better in only the week or so Dalton has been coming up to help me. Not quite back to the way Dave and I had it before that last winter storm surged through and destroyed so many things he never got a chance to fix, things that only got worse after he was taken from me.

Despite my best effortsnotto think about him, the memories of turning this place into our dream home bubble to the surface.

I have to fight them back, or I know I’ll end up crying like I do at night when I can’t escape that oneparticularmemory.

“What’s going on, Dalton? You seem rattled.”

Pops’ question comes surprising clear through the window I had cracked to allow in the breeze, dragging me from wandering down that road that always leads to more tears.

Should I stay and listen?

I check on Davey, who has apparently given up on the game they were playing and is now randomly stacking cards and talking to himself. That won’t last long, but maybe long enough to find out what’s going on.

Dalton didn’t want you to hear this…

That should be enough to make me move away, but the need to ensure I’m not causing problems for the James men wins out. My hand tightens on the bag with Pops’ medication, and I inch closer to the window and flatten my back against the wall so they won’t see me if they happen to glance in from the porch.

“Do you know a douchebag suit named Gallo?”

I freeze at the cold tone and harsh words that are so unusual coming from Dalton. He has never struck me as the type to speak ill ofanyone, but whoever Gallo is has seemed to have gotten under his skin.

“That fucker’s still barking around?”

Apparently, Pops feels the same way…

Dalton releases a long, audible sigh filled with annoyance.“He cornered me on the street outside the pharmacy.”

Pops lets out a low whistle.“Did he now?”

“He did.”

“What did he want?”

A flash of movement in the widow makes me freeze, and I hold my breath, casting another quick glance at Davey, who still seems unaware of what’s happening. He stacks the cards by color, saying each number as it comes up with a proud smile.

Dalton passes by the window, pacing the length of the porch with his hands laced at the back of his neck.“For me to talk you into selling.”

Selling?

Sellingwhat?

Panic churns my stomach, and I place my free hand over it to keep my breakfast from coming back up. It’s hard enough battling the ongoing morning sickness, but now the stress and uncertainty of whatever is happening out on that porch might force me to dash to the bathroom before I can ever figure out what’s actually going on.

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