Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3 Tamra Baumann (new books to read txt) 📖

He sits across from me on the couch. “Brittany asked if we could do all the paperwork before you got here. She’d made up her mind already, Sawyer. She just hadn’t told you that.”

Obviously.

Cooper slowly reemerges from his hiding place under the couch and sits by my feet. I pet my dog and say, “Does Mica’s proof of paying for Brittany’s adoption look legit?”

Gage glances at Amy. “That’s all for now. I’ll see you back at the office.”

Amy nods and heads for the front door. After she’s gone, Gage says, “Yes. It looks real. But now, we need to talk about your court case with your uncle. I think it’s time to concede your mom broke the rules and throw in the towel. We can still beg for mercy.”

Begging for anything from my uncle sticks in my craw. “What would you suggest?”

Gage takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. “We can ask for the house, the bookstore, and the empty space next to it, and in return, you’ll forfeit the other properties and the money without a fight. We might still be able to argue that at least part of the cash should go to your estate under the terms of the trust if he refuses you the property.”

A dense fog has settled over my brain, making it hard to think straight. “How much cash?” The estate has millions, but I’ve read the trust too and dread the answer.

Gage slips his glasses back on. “Not enough to cover your home repairs and restaurant plans, I’m afraid.”

That’s what I feared. “Might not matter if I can’t keep the space next to my bookshop anyway.” I stand and pace the living room floor, forcing my brain to think. But every scenario I picture isn’t a good one.

I stop and study the living room for a moment. I can’t believe I’m going to lose my childhood home too. “This old house needs so much work, and without funds from the trust, I can’t afford to live here anyway. Make whatever deal you think best, Gage.”

He nods and starts packing up his things. “Not to heap any more on your plate right now, but your dad might need a lawyer. Meg asked me to talk to Dylan before I came over. I think it’s best if he has someone with more criminal experience than me.”

Criminal experience? “Did they arrest Dad?”

“Not yet, as far as I know.” Gage stands and gives me a hug. “I’m sorry, Sawyer. For all this. If your mom had let me handle the adoption…”

“I know. It’s not your fault. Mom just wasn’t a rule follower.” A huge lump is forming in my throat as I return the hug.

“True. But that’s just one of the things that made your mom so special. I left Stella’s contact information on the coffee table.” He releases me and smiles. “You know my dad’s trust has more money than I can ever spend. And I’ve always thought it’d be fun to own a rest—”

“Nope!” I push him toward the door. “You are incredibly kind to offer, but I’ll figure things out on my own. Go get me the best deal you can from my uncle, and that’ll be enough.”

Gage sighs. “I’ll do my best. But Frank is a selfish pit viper.”

“And if karma has her way, he’ll get what he deserves one day.” Maybe even jail time if I can prove he had anything to do with Tina’s death before my dad gets pinned with the crime.

After Gage leaves, I can’t think about my life anymore, so I head toward the stairs with Cooper on my heels. Just as I face-plant on my bed, the phone in my pocket pings.

The display shows Madge, so I quickly text her back, filling her in on all the garbage my life has become.

Tossing my phone aside, I roll onto my back and stare at the cracks in the ceiling. When the squiggly lines blur with tears, I don’t try to stop them as I usually do. I roll to my side and let them flow warmly down my cheeks and onto my pillow. The sob I’ve held back all day finally escapes too.

Cooper appears on my bed and snuggles at my side to try to comfort me. Usually, I’d shoo him off, but he’s all I have at the moment. Maybe he’ll be all I have for the long term too. Homeless, jobless… What kind of a dog mom am I going to make for him? I don’t want to let him down too.

After I’ve cried all I can stand and only small whimpers are left, someone very large snuggles against my back. I don’t have to ask who it is. “I thought we weren’t speaking.”

Dylan pulls me tighter and whispers, “We’re not.”

I turn and nuzzle my face into the crook of his neck. He always smells like a green forest and sunshine. “Madge has a big mouth.”

“Mm-hmm.” He lays a kiss on top of my head and then bundles me up against him again.

After a few minutes of feeling warm, safe, and loved, I should let him off the hook. “Thank you. I feel better now.”

He leans away. “You sure?”

No, I’m not sure, but we had a deal. “Yeah. Unless you want to fill me in on my dad?”

He shakes his head and rolls off the bed while fishing something from his top pocket. “Found this outside by the curb.” He hands me a cell phone.

I sit up in horror. “This is Brittany’s phone. It’s never out of her sight. What if she dropped it so I’d find it?” I look up and meet his gaze. “I have a terrible feeling about this.

Chapter 12

I take off toward the stairs at a full run with Dylan and Cooper right behind. “Gage said he left Stella’s contact information on the coffee table in the living room. I need to be sure Brittany is okay.”

When I get to the living room, I scoop