Better Days by Carys Reed

Author:Carys Reed
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: clean romance, contemporary romance, Inspirational romance, Christian romance, wholesome
Publisher: Carys Reed
Published: 2023-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

If I had started to dry off in the truck, it’s impossible to tell because I’m soaked all over again. By the time I enter the house, I’m a shivering mess of wet clothes, dirt, and utter confusion.

Stopping in the vestibule, off the front entryway, I strip out of the clothes that have become a second skin and lean against the wall trying to absorb what just happened.

Nick’s back, and so is his effect on me. I thought I was over him. I most certainly never expected to see him again.

Convulsive shivering disrupts my chaotic thoughts, forcing my eyes to scan the vicinity for something to cover my naked body. There’s nothing tangible in sight, so I go in search of a hot shower, and dry clothes.

I’ve showered and dressed and here I stand, staring at the floor—the magnitude of Nick emotions course through me. I’m near tears, fighting hard to not break down. I’m not sure I can handle him being here, not sure my heart can take not being with him. And I won’t be with him. I’m no cheater, nor am I a quitter—I committed to a marriage with Branson.

The phone rings, snapping me out of my funk, and I race to grab it. “Hello,” I say, out of breath.

“Zeta, it’s James.” His all-business tone tells me something is wrong. “We have a problem—You have a monumental problem.”

“Oh? What’s going on?” I can’t imagine a reason for James to call sounding so serious, unless...

“Ballentine got wind of the deal and they’ve countered your offer plus twenty-percent.”

My heart stops and I feel sick. Ballentine is my only real competitor, they’re already twice my size. “Twenty percent? Wait. How did they find out we were bidding on it? Mr. Carson wasn’t planning on listing it.”

“Exactly. How did they find out?” James says, his voice cooing, suggestive of something sinister. “Obviously, someone in your employ spilled the beans.”

“James, the only people who knew of this acquisition are you, me, Branson, and Clive. Are you suggesting...?”

“Yes, Zeta. Do the math.” His blunt condescension irks me.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I fully trust our management. Clive has been with us for years—he wouldn’t dare, and Branson...Was it you?” I know it wasn’t, but he’s vexxed me, so this is what he gets.

He laughs, knowing it’s a dig. “How do you want to proceed?”

“I’ll contact Mr. Carson myself. Surely, he’ll listen to reason. He’s been a neighbor to our family for years, and he respected my father, they were friends. I’m sure, he’ll tell Ballentine to take a hike.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Zeta. Money talks. Can you afford to counter?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll speak to Clive and Branson and get back to you.”

“Don’t dally.”

We hang up, and I plop onto the mattress of my bed and toss my phone at the pillow. I want Carson’s land. I need it. This has been in the works for months. If I don’t get it, Ballentine will grow even bigger. And I don’t like the idea of their land being up alongside mine.

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