Page 37 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

Does he mean sellingthisproperty?

It would be logical.

A good business decision.

Selling—or evenrenting—to someone else would make far more sense than having Dalton put so much work and effort into making it livable for us, especially when I’m offering them absolutelynothingin return. Not even able to pay the rent we agreed to when we moved up here.

They don’t really need me to take care of Pops—Dalton can handle the simple balance and memory exercises I’ve been doing with him.

They don’t need me to cook for them, since they have done it on their own for decades before I came along and seemed to be handling things just fine.

They certainly don’t need my young child constantly underfoot—or this new baby coming.

They don’t need me here foranything.

I’m a liability.

Only making things more difficult in an already difficult place.

Pops snorts and makes a disgusted noise.“That’ll never happen.”

The determination in his voice, the absolute, steadfast stance he’s taking, is enough to allow my stomach to settle finally and me to take a full breath again. But now, I also understand why Dalton didn’t want me to hear any of this.

Someone istryingto get them to sell something.

Which explains why Dalton has been so worried about Pops’ memory, beyond what any normal person would be for someone they love.

Their business doesn’t run without Pops, and if he’s not allthere, Dalton would be left in a position of making these decisions and potentially fighting someone who could come at them with something more than anoffer.

Dalton sighs, leaning back against the cabin right next to the open window, close enough to have me holding my breath again.“That’s what I told him, but he made it sound like there may be something in the works if we don’t.”

Pops harrumphs.“And what would that be?”

“I’m not entirely sure. But he said they have other ways of getting what they want. I assume he meant eminent domain. But would they really take the mountain so they can build some fucking resort?”

I gasp, then slap my hand over my mouth.

Take the entiremountain?

The more I overhear, the worse the queasiness returns, and I have to fight back the bile crawling up my throat.

Pops lets out a long sigh.“He isn’t the first person to show up with an offer someone thinks I can’t refuse because, if you haven’t noticed, I’m getting older.”

Dalton lets out a barked laugh from right beside the window that has me inching away from it slightly.“You don’t say.”

“They will never get it.”

Pops’ stern response settles over me like a soft, warm blanket.

It’s unwavering.

Just like Dalton’s was when he said he would make sure we were safe and could stay on this homestead.

These men don’t quit.

They don’t back down from a fight or fail on a promise.

“How can you be so sure, Pops?”

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