Falling for Rain Read Free Page A

as a joke and expected him to laugh, but her face was as cold as ever. “Yes, I suppose you’re right,” he said, clearing his throat again. “The letter, witnessed by your father's doctor, leaves the cabin and fifty acres, including the entire lake frontage, to Mr. Storm.”
    He watched an expression of blind fury crossed Emily's face. He knew he was in trouble, so he kept on talking in the hope that he could diffuse some of her anger.  “Mr. Storm's claim is legitimate, and I have no doubt it will hold up in a court of law. Not only will this stall the sale of the property, without the lakefront the farm also loses considerable value....”
    “You don't need to tell me what I already know, Mr. Wright,” Emily retorted. “However, I would like to know why you, whom I left in charge of my property one year ago, knew nothing of this arrangement. You discharged the will, and I was left to believe that was that.”
    “Mr. Storm claims he only just found the letter.”
    “The day I come back to sell the farm. Rather convenient, wouldn't you think, Mr. Wright?” Her anger was stronger now. She had to sell the farm. She had to free herself from the past, and she was convinced this was the only way to do it.
    Mr. Wright felt that his name was been thrown at him like a poisoned dart. “Well, he claimed he found it last week and hadn't had time to follow up on it. But, when you arrived yesterday....”
    “He thought he'd make trouble.”
    “To be fair, Ms. Alexander, even without the letter, he'd have grounds to dispute the will.”
    “Why?”
    “Your mother and father raised him. He was working with your father since he was old enough to walk. And when your father's health started to fail, after you..., well, he could probably come up with fifty character witnesses who would say he was just like a son to the old man.”
    “Not like the daughter who deserted him, is that what you're saying, Mr. Wright? You would think children never left their parents' arms,” she said defensively.
    “No. I'm just saying that the courts would probably grant Mr. Storm just as much, if not more, than what the letter grants him already.”
    “So, who are you working for, me or Mr. Storm?” she asked, distancing herself from Rain with the use of his surname.
    “You,” he said, dreading what she was going to ask him to do.
    “Then look after it. It's my family's farm, and he's not to get it. I'll give him a cash settlement upon sale. Find out what he wants.”
    “Look, Ms. Alexander.” It was a desperate appeal, though he didn't think she'd go for it. “You're going to sell it anyway – it’ll no longer be in your family. Why not just cut your losses and get on with it?”
    She could feel the fear like a rock in her stomach. She crushed it with anger. “I didn't get to where I am today by cutting my losses, Mr. Wright, so I don't think I'll start now. Are you going to talk to Mr. Storm or shall I?”
    “No. I'll do it.” He could at least do that for Ray. He hoped Ray knew what he was doing. He had gained a lot of respect for the man over the years, and he didn't like the idea of being any part of putting the man out of his home. He would tell Emily to find another lawyer; his bias was too strongly in Ray’s favour. But first he'd speak to Ray.
    “Good. I'll be at the house for the next couple of days. This is my cell number. I'll check in tomorrow.” Emily handed him her business card, picked up the briefcase she was never without, and walked toward the door.
    Martin Wright had a sizeable ego. He didn't want her to go thinking she had made mincemeat of him. He cleared his throat yet again. “Well, you know what they say, Ms. Alexander.”
    “No. What do they say?”
    “That it never rains but it storms.”
    “The expression, Mr. Wright, is: It never rains but it pours ,” and she slammed the door behind her.
    * * *         
    “Rain!” Emily yelled through the barn door.
    “I'm in the loft,” he called