Winter Reunion Read Online Free

if you choose to take care of things yourself, it would save money for the bigger problems.”
    Beth thought for a moment, trying to rememberthe old folks she’d seen toddling around town. “What if a resident is simply unable to reach independence? And who judges whether everything has been accomplished—or can’t be?”
    â€œThis isn’t an assisted-living situation. All of the residents are capable of independence and are of reasonable working age, as that was a stipulation before they could move in.” Nora folded her hands over the file on her desk. “As far as monitoring the success of the operation goes, a lawyer from Madison and I have been left with that responsibility. Our assignment is to put the welfare of the residents above everything else, and that’s what we will do.”
    â€œWhat does that mean, exactly?”
    Nora smiled. “You and Devlin will be running the show completely. Harold Billingsly and I will be reviewing the financial summary you two submit each month, along with an update on each resident.”
    â€œUpdate?”
    â€œA written report. Obviously, these people can’t be just booted out and set adrift—there needs to be a concrete plan and a move to successful independence.”
    Beth felt the noose tightening.
    It all sounded simple. Straightforward. But could she handle working with Dev on a daily basis? Even now, she felt the ragged edges of her emotions unraveling.
    Yet if she didn’t cooperate, Dev would lose the property, and when Stan took over, she’d lose her home and her store. And those poor folks might end up out on the street. Lord, tell me what to do here.
    Realizing the room had gone silent, Beth shook offher thoughts. “I’ll try. But I have a bookstore to run, with just one part-time employee who’ll soon be going on maternity leave, and I easily put in fifty hours there myself. I’m just not sure I can take on a lot more.”
    â€œYou’re debating about this?” Dev’s voice turned bitter.
    At his tone, she stared back at him in disbelief. He really had no idea. “I said I’ll try. It isn’t going to be easy.”
    â€œBut we both have to cooperate, because my dear mother set quite a trap.” He made an impatient sound deep in his throat. “If either of us walks away from this, everyone loses. But if we can put up with each other for six months, then everyone wins. Including you.”
    â€œ Put up with each other?” His sharp words stung, reawakening the pain and devastating disillusionment she’d experienced over their divorce, and reminding her of all the reasons she’d hoped to never run into him again.
    â€œLook, I know that working together is the last thing either of us wants. But didn’t you hear what Nora said? Cooperate and you’ll own your building, free and clear. Even if you despise me, isn’t that reward enough?”

Chapter Two
    â€œI —I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Beth stared at Dev in shock, wishing she hadn’t let her thoughts wander earlier. “We’re divorced. I shouldn’t inherit anything.”
    â€œApparently my mother thought otherwise.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s like Nora said—she didn’t trust me to handle this on my own. So giving you a chance to own your building was a way to ensure your cooperation.”
    â€œIt wasn’t a trust issue,” Nora interjected. “I can promise you that. She probably just felt that your current…job skills weren’t attuned to this kind of role.”
    â€œBut the building, ” Beth insisted. “That’s just…” She fumbled for the right word. “Too much.”
    Unless Vivian had somehow learned Beth’s secret. Was that even possible?
    Dev leveled a look at her. “Maybe she figured you deserved battle pay after being married to me. Or maybe she just