Single Dad's Holiday Wedding. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ from Colorado Springs, but you’ll have a great income and a place to live.” He nodded toward the house. Then he remembered. “I know you’ll have to give up your teaching job.”

      She glanced out at the lawn. “That I don’t have to worry about. I was laid off when the school year started. I have my résumé out in several places.”

      Jace felt bad for her, but at the same time was hopeful. “It’s a bad time for teachers. So maybe it’s time for a change. Why can’t you take over your father’s company?”

      “There’s so many reasons I can’t even count them. First of all, I’m not qualified. I have limited business experience. I could lose everything by managing things badly.”

      He felt a twinge of hope. “You can learn. Besides, Lyle has lawyers and accountants for a lot of it. I’ll be the person at the construction site. You can check out my credentials. I’m damn good at what I do.”

      This time she studied him.

      “I can give you references in Denver,” he offered.

      Lori couldn’t help but be curious. Her life had been exposed, yet she knew nothing about him. “Why did you leave there? Denver.”

      “Divorce. I had to sell the business to divide the joint assets. Moving here was my best chance to make a good home for my daughter. Best chance at getting full custody.”

      She might not like the man’s bad attitude toward her, but wanting to be a good father gave him a lot of points.

      “Once I finish Mountain Heritage and the spaces are leased, I’ll have some revenue coming in. It’ll allow me to control my work hours. I can pick and choose construction jobs so I can spend more time with Cassie.” His gaze met hers. “Best of all, Destiny is a great place to raise children.”

      She smiled. “That I remember about this town, and how they decorated at Christmas.”

      She watched conflict play across his face. “That’s what I want Cassie to experience, too. I don’t want her in some boarding school in Europe because her mother doesn’t have time for her.” He stood, and quickly changed the subject. “I also have several men that are depending on this job.”

      “I need to talk to my lawyer before I can make any decision.” And she needed to speak to Gina. Her sister weighed heavily in this decision. She turned toward Jace. “I know you were hoping for more.”

      He nodded. “Of course I was, but I can’t wait much longer. Just so you know, I’ll be contacting my own lawyer. I have to protect my investment.”

      Lori tried not to act surprised as she nodded. Jace Yeager finally said his goodbye as he stepped off the porch and walked around the house to the driveway. She heard his truck start up. Just one more problem to deal with.

      “Thanks, Dad.” She glanced skyward. “You couldn’t give me the time of day when you were alive, but now that you’re gone, you turn my life upside down.”

      She walked back inside the house and back into her father’s office. Paige and Mr. Bradley had their heads together. They spent the next twenty minutes going over all the details. She could contest the will, but if she lost, she’d lose everything and so would this town.

      Mr. Bradley checked his watch, gathered up his papers and put them in his briefcase. “Lorelei, if you need anything else from me, just call.” He handed her a business card. “There’s one other thing I didn’t get a chance to tell you. You only have seventy-two hours to make your decision,” he said then walked out the door.

      Lori looked at Paige. “How can I make a life-changing decision in three days?”

      “I know it’s difficult, Lori, but there isn’t a choice. What can I say? Lyle liked being in control.” The brunette smiled. “Sorry, I hate to speak ill of the dead.”

      “No need to apologize. Over the years, my mother never had anything nice to say about the man. It doesn’t seem as if he ever changed.”

      She thought about what Lyle had done to Jace Yeager. The man would lose everything he’d invested in this project if he couldn’t complete it. She closed her eyes. “What should I do?”

      “Are you asking me as your lawyer or as a citizen of Destiny?”

      “Both.”

      “As your lawyer, if you turn down Lyle’s bequest, the corporation and the partnerships would be dissolved and all moneys would be given to charity. You’d get nothing, Lori.” Paige went on to add, “As a citizen of a town I love, I hope you accept. Hutchinson Corporation employs many of the people in this community.”

      She groaned. “Lyle really did own this town.”

      Paige shrugged. “A fair share of it. But remember, the Hutchinsons built this town with the money they got from mining.” She smiled. “Times are changing, though. My brother-in-law Justin is moving at a pretty good pace to take that status. He has an extreme skiing business. And don’t count out Jace Yeager. He’s got some other projects in the works.”

      “And now he’s tied up in this mess,” Lori said. “Dear Lord, you all must have hated my father.”

      “Like I said there’s always been a Hutchinson here to deal with. Your grandfather Billy was a piece of work, too. He’d done a few shady deals in his time. The family has done a lot of good for Destiny.” She tried not to smile. “Maybe Lyle was a little arrogant about it.”

      “And now it looks like you all have me to continue the tradition.”

      Paige raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you’re staying?”

      “Do I have a choice?” She knew it was all about Lyle protecting the Hutchinsons’ legacy. Not about his daughter’s needs or wants. He had never cared about that.

      Well, she had to think about what was best for her family. She and Gina had planned to move away from Colorado, and her sister’s ex-husband. Most important they had to be safe. Could Eric find them here in Destiny? Would he try? Of course he would if he had any idea where to look.

      If Lori decided to stay, at least she could afford to hire a bodyguard. “I need to talk to my sister. She would have to move here, too.”

      Paige nodded. “I understand. So when you make your decision give me a call anytime. I need to get back to the office.” Her lawyer walked out, leaving her alone.

      Lori went to the desk, sat down and opened the file. She stared once again at the exorbitant amount of money her father was worth. Although she was far from comfortable taking anything from Lyle, how could she walk away from this? The money would help her sister and nephew so much. Not to mention the other people in Destiny.

      But she’d have to be able to work with Jace Yeager, too. The man had his own anger issues when it came to a Hutchinson. Could she handle that, or him? No, she doubted any woman could, but if she stayed out of his way, they might be able to be partners.

      She took her cell phone from her purse and punched in the familiar number. When Gina answered, she said, “How would you feel about moving into a big house in Destiny?”

      The next morning, Jace took СКАЧАТЬ