Page 63 of Love to Prove You Wrong

“How does lemonade sound?” he asked.

“Perfect.”

I sat down in one of the wooden chairs on his back porch while he fetched us a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses.

He poured us both a glass and gave me a cautious smile. “I guess you’re here to talk about the land?”

I nodded furiously. “I am.”

His hand shook while he took a sip of lemonade. He got a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed his sweaty forehead.

“Are you nervous about parting ways with that patch of land?” I asked.

It couldn’t be easy to leave behind something you’ve had your entire life. I knew for a fact that his parents had left the land to him when they died. And now it would become mine.

“Oh, that’s okay, really. I’m getting too old to take proper care of it. It’s just… I guess I’m relieved that you’re taking it so well. I thought you’d be mad at me, even.”

I put down my glass of lemonade. “Why would I be mad?”

“I knew you wanted to buy the land, but when that other offer came in—”

“Wait, what other offer?” I asked. I could feel the color leave my face. Maybe I misunderstood, and he’d said “brother cougher” or something. Not thatthathad any significant meaning, but it sure sounded better than “other offer.”

“I sold the land yesterday, Addy. I’m sorry.”

His words kicked the air out of my lungs. “But… how?”

“I should’ve asked you first, but I didn’t know where you stood financially. I know we’ve been talking about me selling the land to you for ages, but you know… I needed the money. My wife’s medical bills keep racking up and this person could pay me right away, plus ten percent extra.”

This was unbelievable. While I had been out kissing Justin and frolicking around the inn, someone had bought the land I wanted, and crushed my dreams in one fell swoop.

Why? How? Who? Was it some hotshot who wanted to build a resort? A mall? This was terrible news. Not just for me, but for the entire town.

I tried to come up with a scenario that made sense, but I drew a blank. I couldn’t even blame Mr. Benson for selling at such a great price, especially not when his wife was having expensive medical treatments. That didn’t mean I didn’t feel like crawling into a hole, though. I did my very best to fight off the tears that were desperate to break free.

“Are you okay?” Mr. Benson asked. “You haven’t spoken in five minutes now.”

“Who bought the land?”

He patted his forehead with his handkerchief again. “I’m afraid I can’t disclose that information. But if it means anything, I do know that all will be revealed in good time and you most likely won’t be opposed.”

He was delusional. Why wouldn’t I be opposed to someone hijacking my dream?

“Oh, look at the time,” I said, glancing at the invisible watch around my arm. “They’re expecting me at the inn. It’s so late there’s probably a search party out for me. I can’t have them worry.”

Mr. Benson walked me to my car, but I was too dazed and confused to hear a word he was saying. All I could think about was how the inn wouldn’t be getting a petting zoo after all.

“Well, take care, Addison.” Mr. Benson wrung his hands. He looked visibly shaken by the choice he’d made. Still, that didn’t dull my disappointment.

“Good luck trimming your bush,” I said before starting the engine.

He waved me off. As soon as I was out of sight, the tears I’d been holding back started streaming down my face. The day had started off on such a high note and now the dream I’d worked toward for years had come crashing down.

At least I still had Justin’s company to look forward to. I was sure he’d be able to cheer me up, or at least help me to temporarily forget about losing something that had been mine in my heart, but never actually had been mine in real life, and now never would be.

Chapter Twenty-Two

By the time I stepped into Dave’s Diner to meet Justin for dinner that night, I felt even worse. The cogs in my head had been turning nonstop the entire afternoon, despite the fact that I needed to stay focused with the wedding just around the corner. It turned out that overthinking didn’t solve anything. All it had accomplished was wasting precious time and energy. Plus, mystery was best paired with cookies, so I had been eating treats nonstop and feeling nauseous.

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