Chapter 2 - The Papers on the Table
The drive to Pine Hollow took nearly four hours.
As they traveled north, the roads became narrower and the radio warnings became more frequent. Officials advised residents to prepare emergency bags and monitor evacuation alerts.
Brett turned the radio off.
“We came here to relax.”
Natalie sat in the back seat beside Tessa.
“You should leave the alerts on.”
“I know how to drive.”
“That isn’t what I said.”
Eleanor glanced over her shoulder. “Must every conversation become an argument?”
Tessa stared out the window.
Natalie watched dry grass bend beneath the wind. In the distance, a gray haze hovered above the mountains.
When they reached the cabin, Brett parked the SUV facing the main road. Natalie noticed that immediately. Her grandmother had always told visitors to park facing outward during fire season so they could leave quickly.
Brett carried the bags inside while Eleanor walked from room to room criticizing the furniture.
“It smells old,” she said.
“It smells like cedar,” Natalie replied.
“It needs renovation.”
“It needs nothing.”
The cabin was simple but strong, built from heavy timber and stone. A wide gravel clearing separated it from the nearest trees, and a water tank stood behind the tool shed.
Natalie’s grandmother had prepared the property carefully. She had installed emergency sprinklers, fire-resistant shutters, satellite communication equipment, and security cameras.
Brett had mocked the upgrades when she was alive.
That evening, he placed a stack of documents on the dining table.
The first page displayed the logo of Hartwell Ridge Development.
Natalie sat across from him while Eleanor poured wine for herself and Tessa. Brett had brought sparkling water for Natalie, presenting it as though it proved what a thoughtful husband he was.
“The new offer is four point two million,” he said.
“No.”
“You have not read it.”
“I don’t need to.”
“You are rejecting financial security for a memory.”
“I already have financial security.”
Brett’s jaw tightened.
Natalie had inherited the cabin, the land, and shares in her grandmother’s forestry consulting company. The inheritance remained legally separate from the marriage.
Brett hated that fact.
He tapped the documents.
“This money would belong to both of us.”
“No. The property belongs to me, and selling it would not automatically make the proceeds marital property.”
Eleanor placed her glass down.
“What kind of wife speaks about separate property?”
“A wife whose husband has been meeting with developers behind her back.”
Tessa looked up.
Brett froze. “What are you talking about?”
Natalie opened her folder and removed an email she had printed.
The development company had accidentally copied her on a message confirming two private meetings with Brett.
“You told them you represented me,” Natalie said.
“I was gathering information.”
“You sent them land surveys.”
“Public land surveys.”
“You discussed an access road through the protected creek.”
Brett leaned back in his chair.
“You don’t understand the proposal.”
“I understand it perfectly.”
Eleanor stepped behind her son.
“Your grandmother filled your head with sentimental nonsense. Brett is trying to build a future for his child.”
“My grandmother built a future for me. That is why this property is protected.”
Brett pushed a pen across the table.
“Sign the preliminary authorization. It only allows further evaluation.”
Natalie did not touch it.
“I will have my attorney review everything.”
“You always run to an attorney whenever I try to help.”
“My attorney has never lied to a developer about representing me.”
Silence filled the cabin.
A weather alert sounded from Tessa’s phone.
She picked it up.
“Fire reported west of Route 18,” she read.
Natalie stood immediately. “How far?”
“About thirty miles.”
“We should leave in the morning.”
Brett gathered the documents with sharp, impatient movements.
“We are not leaving because of a small fire thirty miles away.”
“The wind is moving east.”
“You are not in charge of everyone.”
Natalie looked at him.
“No, Brett. I’m in charge of my land. That is what bothers you.”
That night, she lay awake listening to the wind strike the cabin walls.
Beside her, Brett pretended to sleep.
On the nightstand, his phone lit up with a message.
Natalie saw only part of it before the screen went dark.
May you like
Keep her there until she signs.
The sender was Eleanor.
