Instead of sitting across from me, Karter sits on the edge of my desk. I want to ignore her and pretend she’s being ridiculous, but I also want to tell her everything. How we spent hours just talking, and how I can’t wait to see him again tonight.
“Don’t,” she says, out of the blue.
“Don’t what?”
“Fall in love.”
I wave her off. “Seriously, Karter? We had pizza with the boys.”
“Yes, but I see that dreamy look you have in your eyes. I get it, Hawk’s good-looking. He’s kind, sweet, and very generous. But he lives in Boston and rarely returns to Montana. In fact, my mom says the only reason he’s here is because of his shoulder injury.”
“His mother insisted he come home,” I interject. “I know this, Karter. He told me.”
“Oh.” Which is probably the least she’s ever said in her entire life. “Before I forget, an Adrienne Hubbard called here looking for you.”
Adrienne Hubbard and I used to be best friends until I divorced Greg. Her husband, Robbie, is best friends with my ex and when a divorce happens, it tends to divide friendships, too. I cried harder over losing her than I did my ex. “Did she leave a number?”
Karter shakes her head. “Sorry, said she’d call back. New client?”
“No, old friend.”
My phone chimes with an email alert. Instead of reading it on the tiny screen, I boot up my laptop. It’s my plan to work in the office today, to follow up on leads, check in with some clients who haven’t made decisions yet and prepare a couple of listings. Honestly, I want to stay in here and avoid running into Hawk. There’s no reason he’d need to come in, even if I do have a price for him on that piece of land.
Karter goes back to her office after she asks if I want to make plans for lunch. I tell her I do and get to work. Once my email is open, I’m on the phone with the landowner, discussing his options. He keeps saying he wants to “stick it to Larsen” and while I couldn’t agree more, there are certain steps that have to be taken.
“Mr. Longwood, are you positive you didn’t give Surge, LLC or Brett Larsen permission to store on your land?” It doesn’t matter what he says, I will have to go and do some research in the clerk’s office for a possible filing pertaining to this issue. To prove adverse possession can be difficult and I have a feeling because it involves Brett Larsen, it’s going to be an uphill battle.
“I’ve done no such thing. That man keeps piling his product on my property.”
“I know, sir. He’s been doing it for years and the law may be on his side.”
“It’s not,” he tells me. “Six months ago, I went to court and they issued an injunction.”
A big smile spreads across my face. This is perfect. Of course, Larsen thought he was above a court order. “Well this is very good news. So, Mr. Longwood, how much would you like to sell the property for?”
He gives me very strict stipulations, most of them involve Larsen and how if he’s interested, he needs to make an offer, which I’m not to accept. This is a dangerous game, but Mr. Longwood is adamant that Surge, LLC — or anyone who has anything to do with Brett Larsen — do not buy his land. Challenging, but doable, especially if I can get Hawk to buy it.
As soon as I hang up, Karter rings my phone to tell me I have a call on line one. I don’t bother asking her who it is because there’s a good chance she didn’t ask. It’s not her job to screen our calls, but the front desk gal seems to be on an extended leave.
“Bellamy Patrick.”
“Bellamy, it’s Gregory.” Gregory. Back when we were together, he was Greg. Fun loving, chill Greg. Now he introduces himself as Gregory and expects everyone to refer to him as such. It makes me want to puke.
I want to groan loudly, be rude, and hang up on him. I don’t, but I don’t say anything either because I really don’t feel like speaking to him.
“Hello, are you there?”
“Yep.”
“I expected you to call me after you had dinner with Brett.”
I roll my eyes. “I expect you to visit your son, pay child support on time, and be a parent. Seems neither of us are having our expectations met these days.”
“Bell, I don’t have time to get into this with you. When is Chase’s first game?”
“Why? Are you actually going to come to Richfield to watch or do you expect me to have some sort of live video stream going so you can say you were present?”
Greg sighs heavily. “Why is everything an issue with you?”