Page 58 of Beautiful Harmony

Her face went hot and then cold, and she gave him her own icy grin. “Threaten all you want, but I think you’ll discover that folks here in Harmony Falls tend to rally behind their own. Especially when it involves a dispute with a hotshot asshole with more money than God, who thinks he can bully people just trying to live their lives.”

His face paled, but his eyes flashed with fury. “I am not a bully, Ms. Abrams.”

Ooh, she’d hit a nerve.

“Are you sure about that?” she asked.

With the anger on his face, she was surprised he didn’t bare his teeth at her. Instead, he sucked in a deep breath and said, “I didn’t come here to fight. I’m simply asking you to consider my offer.”

“And I’m telling you no,” he said.

“Are you always this stubborn and hardheaded?” he snapped.

“This is my home, and I’m not selling it,” she said.

“Seven hundred and fifty thousand,” he said. “This property is only worth three hundred thousand. It’s a more than fair offer.”

“Are you deaf?” she asked. “I’m not interested. I don’t care how much money you throw at me.”

“Considering how you grew up and that your beloved rescue is running in the red, I’m surprised at your selfishness,” he said.

Her stomach clenched tight, and she could taste bile at the back of her throat. “What did you just say to me?”

“The money I’m offering could help many animals,” he said. “Isn’t that more important than,” he looked around her house, “an old house barely standing?”

“Get out,” she said.

He shoved his hands into the pocket of his coat. “Eight hundred thousand. That’s my final offer, Ms. Abrams.”

She stalked toward him, staring at him as her body vibrated with anger. “I will never ever sell this house to you. Do you hear me? Never. Now get the hell out of my house, Stark.”

He frowned at her, his lips a thin slash across his face. “You’re -”

“Get out,” she repeated. “Before I call the cops.”

His nostrils flared again, and he turned on his heel and stomped out of the living room. Rayna waited until she heard the front door slam before sinking into the chair. Her knees trembled, her stomach was in knots, and she wasn’t entirely certain she wouldn’t just vomit all over her own damn Crocs.

Bea whined and nudged Rayna’s hand with her cold nose. She petted the old beagle with a shaky hand before sliding to the floor and letting Bea and the two pit bulls climb into her lap.

“He is such an asshole,” she said to the dogs.

CHAPTER16

Lucas

Sorry, I have to cancel dinner. I’m stuck at work.

Emma stared at her phone before quickly texting back.

Emma

No problem. Do you want me to drop some food off for you?

Lucas

Nah, I’m good. I’ll text you later.

Okay, this was fine. Everything was fine. Lucas was not deliberately avoiding her. While he’d managed to salvage most of Paul’s mistake on Sunday, he’d still put in some long hours this week. She knew that because Lucas had told her as much - well, texted as much - and Lucas didn’t lie to her.

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