by Dana Volney
“It seems she passed away in her sleep last night. I don’t know anything more. One of her friends contacted me. He found my card in her death folder.”
A death folder. Leave it to Vam to have one. “I worked with her on her will,” the lawyer continued.
“Uh-huh.” Adam was having trouble processing. All he could focus on was the “passed away” part. “Vam’s dead?”
“I’m afraid so.” The lawyer’s voice dropped. “You have my deepest condolences. She was a lovely lady.”
“Yes.” Adam slowly nodded and stared wide-eyed at his white bedroom wall. This is not happening. Not again. “What do you need me to do?” The air deflated from his lungs.
“There’s the matter of the will, in which you are, of course, named. Her friends are planning the funeral. Do you need any contact numbers?”
“No.” He had them memorized.
“It’s looking like we’ll read the will a couple of days after the funeral. Let me know when you’re available and we can go over everything. It might take a while. There’s a lot.”
The words hung in the air until Adam realized they merited a response. The training he’d received in his lifetime prepared him for everything, even teammates dying, but it didn’t seem to give him the tools to deal with his grandma’s unexpected demise. Suddenly he was fifteen and sitting on his grandma’s davenport, trying to process that he’d never see his parents again.
“Sure. I’ll call.” He lifted his phone from his face to make sure a number came through on the caller ID. “I got your number … what’s your name again?”
“Steve Schwab.”
“Right. I’ll get back with you today, Mr. Schwab.”
Adam disconnected the call and felt his back hit his sheets. His brain shut down. His thoughts didn’t know where to start. A mind that normally ran a million miles a second blanked.
• • •
Liv stood on the CBC lawn after Vam’s wake. The sun hung low in the sky and she put her arms around her growling stomach. She swallowed hard; she hadn’t been able to eat much since the awful news. A cheeseburger reminded her too much of her friend, and she couldn’t even look at a fry without tearing up. Someday she hoped to eat them with a smile, remembering the good times. She searched the water line and took a deep breath. She needed to keep perspective. Her time with Vam wasn’t lost. She’d given Liv a lot of good advice, and they’d shared more than one beer together talking about life. She’d be okay and life would go on.
What the—? Liv squinted toward the distance. She knew that confident stride. Ken? What is that asshat doing now? He’s surely up to no good. Liv watched him walk to the end of the gray dock with a man in tow.
Oh no, he isn’t.
She clomped quickly after them, reaching the duo as they boarded her vessel. Her hands started to shake as adrenaline triggered her fight-or-flight instinct. Tonight, it was fight.
“Ken. What do you think you are doing?” Liv put her hands on her hips.
“Liv Barnette, this is Victor,” Ken introduced them. He was in sales mode. “I’m showing him how beautiful twilight is on the lake—perfect to unwind after a long day at the office.”
“And why are you showing Victor the sunset?”
“Because, my dear, he’s in the market for a houseboat, and I thought this one would be perfect.” Ken flashed his smile at Victor, who had slicked-back black hair. She estimated he was in his fifties. “Absolutely perfect.”
You sonuvabitch. Liv fixed her eyes on Ken as he coolly gazed back.
Her finger whipped up and pointed. “This boat is not yours to sell, Ken.” Her thumb pointed back to her. “This is my boat. I sell it.”
“It is mine. In fact, it’s anyone’s at Shiverly Real Estate Group to sell.”
“Who said?”
“Shiverly.”
Liv’s mind raced. That wasn’t part of the deal. Obviously Neil didn’t have any faith in her. She needed to stop Ken. But how? She didn’t have any prospects. Not one call besides a Ralph Lauren couple who’d decided that Out & A Boat didn’t fit their plan—they were looking for something in the “newer category” of luxury lining. She’d cleaned up Out & A Boat and replaced what couldn’t be fixed. It was beautiful now and fully furnished, although when she’d decorated it she did so in her tastes—down to the coral pillows that now covered the white and navy striped couch. The walls were painted bright white and the cabinetry a tin gray. The houseboat now echoed a breezy Californian lifestyle with nautical whites, blues, and grays, and pops of coral, lime green, and yellow accents. She craved a light and airy place that invited the sun, and figured people who opted to live on the water would as well.
Should she suck it up and let Ken sell it just to get it over with? No. She’d see this project to the very end, which included the sale.
Ken turned to open the cabin door.
“It’s sold.” The words flooded from Liv’s mouth as she reached out to stop him from going inside. His pungent, musty cologne would taint the clean interior she’d worked so hard to get perfect.
“What?” He stopped and turned. Both men had the same look of shock, and Victor’s stare held a low anger.
“Yep, sure is.” She nodded and raised her eyebrows to really sell the lie. Note to self: Add “will lie convincingly to your face” to the résumé I’m going to need after this.
“To whom?” Ken’s brows furrowed in disbelief.
“None of your business, Ken. Please leave.” She extended her hand to the dock in case he’d forgotten how to get back to his car.
“You have the signed paperwork?”
“Yeppers. I’m bringing it to Neil tomorrow.”
Ken locked eyes with her as he disembarked. Victor followed close behind.
“Good night, Victor. Sorry this wasn’t the houseboat for you.” She halfheartedly smiled at the man in linen pants and two-toned bowling shirt.
She’d watched them until they were halfway down the dock when her phone chirped.
You’d better not be lying read Ken’s text.
Liv rolled her eyes and held her phone by her side. You’re the least of my problems, douche. The fact of the matter was she only had a couple of days left on her agreement with Neil anyway. With no takers, and the boat still in need of a couple of tweaks from Ben, she didn’t see how this could end positively. Bullying Ken out of a commission was the one thing that gave her satisfaction.
• • •
Liv stepped out of her white Jeep wearing large round black sunglasses. Appropriately, the capris, sparkly tank top, and mesh cardigan she’d chosen to wear for the reading of Vam’s will were all black. She’d tried to jazz it up with her oversized gold watch and earrings, but nothing brightened sad. She had no idea why she’d been included in this proceeding, but she was sure it wouldn’t boost her spirits any. She planned to talk to Neil after this meeting. Knowing she didn’t hold any cards sucked, but she had to talk to him before Ken did. Maybe I can salvage my job. It didn’t thrill her, but until she had another plan, that was what she’d decided to go with.
Liv took a seat in the dining area where others had gathered and greeted them with a nod and grin. A balding man she didn’t recognize sat at the head of the table with a briefcase propped open in front of him. “Are we all here?” the only guy in a suit asked.
“Yep,” said Eddie, one of the houseboat neighbors and employees of the marina.
“Very well. I’m Steve Schwab, Vam’s attorney. You’re here because you were named in her last will and testament. I’m going to read it in its entirety.”
Don’t cry. Liv cleared her throat and followed her internal monologue as best as she could. If she started she wouldn’t be able to stop the proverbial burst dam. She just needed to focus on the information and not the reason for their gathering.
Liv watched the reactions of the group members as they were named. Vam sure was organized. She wondered if she should get her affairs in order. What affairs? I don’t own a hous
e, have kids, or possess anything of real value. Maybe my Jeep...
“Liv Barnette.”
“Yes?” She sat up straight in the tan chair.
“‘To my special buttercup, Liv Barnette,’” Steve read from the legal-sized paper in his hands.
A tear rolled down her cheek untouched. She couldn’t imagine what could follow that opening. Vam’s grill or her recipes were all Liv had imagined inheriting during her sleepless night.
“‘I leave to you the Paradise Point Marina, et al.’”
“What?” she screeched.
“Here are the keys.” Steve handed her a manila envelope with her name written in black Sharpie and continued reading from the paper. “Here are instructions: ‘The files are in the office, marked appropriately. I know you’ll figure it out.’”
Liv opened the envelope and pulled out a note written in Vam’s cursive penmanship: You weren’t meant for a desk job, sweet girl. You were meant to live free on the water in the fresh air. Enjoy. I know you’ll love it just as much as I have.
She covered her mouth and tried to muffle her sobs. This was all too much.
“Oh,” Steve said hurriedly. “There’s a clause attached.”
She glanced up.
“‘Should my grandson, Adam Lark, have interest in returning to Paradise Point, I’d like him to have a place. He will have ninety days after my death to decide if he wants fifty percent of the marina. Buttercup, don’t worry—you two will get along famously, I suspect.’”
Liv swallowed hard as a soft tingle ran up her spine.
“There is one more item to discuss,” the lawyer said as he grabbed her elbow while everyone else was collecting their items and saying their goodbyes. He pulled out a white letter envelope.
What now? Liv couldn’t possibly fathom what else could be in store.
“She wanted this to be given to you in private. The others need not know.”
Liv took the letter, opened it, and stopped breathing as a check lay in the folds. The amount of zeroes nearly caused her eyes to pop out of her head. In addition to the marina—as if that wasn’t enough—Vam had left her two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Her heart raced. She’d never seen that much money before in her life. What did I do to deserve all of this? The memo line read: Nest egg.
“I couldn’t.” She thrust the envelope at Steve.
“You can. It’s in the will.”
“It doesn’t feel right.”
“Vam, of sound mind, added you to her will. It’s what she wanted. She was adamant,” he said and turned to leave.
Liv’s stomach knotted and her skin felt clammy. This was a lot to absorb. What did she possibly know about running a business? She rubbed her head, trying to calm her jumbled, overwhelming thoughts.
• • •
Liv awoke after two days of living in her newly purchased Out & A Boat with a start to the sound of banging. She sat up and listened intently. Her eyes moved across the room, discerning the shadows. Nothing moved.
When she’d tucked herself in for the night, only a slight summer breeze had rustled her cream curtains, nothing strong enough to cause a ruckus. Someone or something lurked outside the comfort of her bedroom. The banging sounded again. Outside and close. Someone’s breaking in. Her stomach fluttered and her muscles tensed. She searched her bedroom for a weapon. I should’ve hidden that stupid rifle in here instead of out there. She swallowed hard. The gazillion pillows on her bed afforded no real protection. Shit.
She slipped out of her blue silky sheets and grabbed her white cotton robe to put over her gray tank top and tiny shorts. She tiptoed as quietly as she possibly could down the hall.
More banging. The pitch had a metal reverberation that carried through her walls. She wasn’t in danger. Yet. A tiny bit of relief washed over her and she took a solid breath, letting out the one she didn’t realize she’d been holding. She paused before the only window on the port side of the boat in the hall.
She leaned to peer out of the glass, trying to stay concealed. Maybe something got loose and it’s knocking against another boat. She scanned the dock area and worked outward. Everything appeared in its normal place—until rustling fabric caught her eye.
Who the hell is on Vam’s boat? Anger replaced her initial surge of panic. Liv tightened her robe belt, slipped on yellow flip-flops, and ripped open her cabin door.
She loudly shut her door and stomped off her boat onto the dock, her mood not lending kindly to this prick breaking into her friend’s home. Maybe they’d hear her coming and run. She hoped so because she had no plan if they didn’t.
As she got closer she saw a tall body in a hooded sweatshirt at Vam’s door, trying to coax it open.
“Excuse me!” Liv put her hands to her mouth to amplify her shout before she had time to think of the consequences. The man stopped and only turned his neck to glance behind him. Even through the dark of night, with one small post for lighting, she saw his perfect, white teeth in a smile adorning his face. Chills, despite the warm night air, ran up her spine.
“What can I help you with? You lost?” His sarcasm was laid on thick.
The stranger’s deep, milky voice wrapped around her midsection and didn’t let go. She blinked, forgetting why she stood scantily clad outside for a second. “That isn’t yours.” Her hands emphasized her words. “What are you doing? You need to leave.”
“How do you know I don’t live here?”
His cool temperament fueled her rage further.
“Because I do. Who the hell are you? I know the person who owns that home and you are not that person.”
She glanced sideways at her boat. I wish I’d at least grabbed my cell phone.
“I don’t recall meeting you.” His eyes moved over her body. “And I usually remember blondes.” He stepped forward and Liv could tell from the shadowy light cast over his face that his was a handsome face: a pretty-boy chiseled face, complete with plump, pronounced cheekbones. He scraped the hood off his head with one hand, revealing dark, thick, short, spiky hair.
“I am sure we’ve never met.” Liv resumed her tightly folded arms. “The woman who owns this boat passed away. She was a dear friend and you are being an absolute dick right now trying to break into her home. I will ask you one more time to leave or I’m calling the cops.” She set her eyes on him and forcefully refused to break contact.
He watched her. He studied her face and she examined his. Seconds went by, turning into endless minutes. Who the hell was this brazen asshole?
• • •
What’s a guy got to do around here to get a break?
Adam clenched his jaw and stood like a doof, because he didn’t know what to say. He swallowed to loosen the tension that was building in his esophagus. Her concern for Vam was clear and had caught him off guard, which rarely happened. Jet lag. Had to be.
He cleared his throat and collected himself. “You’re using the wrong tense.”
She raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
“Owned. She owned the houseboat. I own it now.” Adam held up the blasted key that wasn’t opening the door, leading him to this late-night conversation with the tall, curvy, spunky blonde. Since they were neighbors now, he kind of wished they’d gotten off on different footing. But since they hadn’t, there was no need for effort now. He didn’t care what anyone around here thought of him.
“Since when?” Her voice rose.
“Since as soon as I figure out how this key works.” I can run international ops, yet I can’t get a friggin’ key to work. Stellar move, Lark.
He had opted for a quick extraction mission in Beirut before going to Mr. Schwab’s office. He couldn’t deal with a funeral or the formal reading of the will. The lawyer’s waiting room had smelled of stale mint candy, nearly buckling his legs. The last time he’d smelled that was a day after the plane crash that had taken the lives of both of his parents. He’d pushed on with the due diligence Vam’s will required the rest of the day—up until he’d n
oticed the clock marked midnight. All he wanted to do now was sleep. He certainly didn’t want to be arguing with some woman about the merits of him owning a houseboat.
Adam needed to be on his game tomorrow to deal with the woman Vam had included in the ownership of Paradise Point Marina. Why she’d seen fit to do that was beyond him. The biting notion some stranger had swindled his grandma wouldn’t go away. Even if it would make his life easier in the end, he wasn’t about to let her get away with it. The knowledge it might work to his benefit only frustrated him more. He didn’t have time to own a business.
The conversation with the new neighbor had gone on long enough. He defaulted to his smile that always charmed the ladies, but she furrowed her brows.
“I didn’t know it had been put up for sale.” She spoke softer and shook her head slightly.
“It was a quick deal.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, thanks for your concern, but I assure you everything is on the up and up…” He jingled the keys in his hands. “And, if you don’t mind, I have an early morning.” He turned his back to resume his fight with the lock. At this point he just might kick down the door.
“No, I don’t mind at all. It’s not like any of us needed sleep around here tonight … neighbor,” she said, sneering.
He could hear her footsteps as she marched away. He glanced in her direction as she stepped off the dock. He tsked. Such a shame my new hot neighbor has an attitude problem.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Hey, Eddie.” Liv put her purse behind the front counter and made a beeline for the coffee machine.
Brisk morning air filled the marina. It took her a while to adjust to mornings, but once she was alert, she loved them. The sunrise brought calmness, especially to the lake. Even in her excited state of mind, she’d still had to drag her body out of bed. She blamed her new evil neighbor for not knowing how a damn lock worked. After her midnight encounter with him, she’d not been able to get a decent night’s sleep.
She grabbed the biggest cup she could find, and filled it with dark roast, cream, and sugar. Heavenly. She held the giant cup with two hands and focused on Eddie shuffling menus around.