Chapter 3

Karen Pruitt called at seven the next morning.

Her voice was tight. "Merit. You need to sit down."

I was already sitting. "What is it?"

"The power of attorney your grandfather signed — it's real. It's filed. And it gives Sybil Callahan full authority over all of Arthur Callahan's assets. Including the boatyard property."

I felt the room tilt. "But she tricked him. He thought they were Medicare forms."

"I know. And we'll challenge it. But right now, on paper, she holds all the cards. And Merit — she's already acted on it."

"Act on it? What do you mean?"

"Bryce Coleman filed a purchase agreement yesterday. For the full property. Signed by Sybil Callahan, as attorney-in-fact for Arthur Callahan. The closing is in fourteen days."

Fourteen days.

Fourteen days to lose everything Grandpa had built. Everything I'd rebuilt.

"Can she do that?" I said. "Can she sell his land without his consent?"

"With that document, yes. Unless we get the POA invalidated before closing. Merit, this is going to be a fight. A nasty one. Are you ready?"

I thought about the Lorelei, gleaming in the restoration bay. I thought about my employees — Jake, Manny, Rosa — who'd bet their livelihoods on me. I thought about Grandpa, sitting on his porch, watching the sun rise over the water he loved.

"I was born ready," I said.

We filed the challenge that afternoon.

But Sybil wasn't waiting.

Two days later, she showed up at the boatyard. With Fallon. And Bryce Coleman.

They arrived in a black SUV. Sybil stepped out first — designer sunglasses, expensive coat, like she was touring a property she already owned. Fallon followed, clinging to Bryce's arm. Bryce was tall, tan, and smiled like a man who'd already won.

I met them at the gate.

"You're trespassing," I said.

Sybil removed her sunglasses. "Merit, don't be dramatic. I own this property now. Or I will, in eleven days. I came to discuss the transition."

"You poisoned my land."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Paige talked to the police, Mom. She told them everything. You paid her five thousand dollars to dump solvent behind my shed."

Sybil's smile didn't waver. "Paige is a troubled girl. She'll say anything for attention."

Fallon stepped forward. "Merit, can we just talk? This doesn't have to be ugly. Bryce is offering a fair price. Grandpa can live out his days in comfort. You can walk away with money. Start over somewhere else."

I stared at my sister. She looked different. Harder. The vulnerable girl who'd broken a nail and ruined my twelfth birthday was gone. In her place stood someone who'd learned to take, just like our mother.

"This is my home," I said. "This is Grandpa's legacy. You don't get to sell it from under us."

Bryce spoke for the first time. His voice was smooth, reasonable. "Merit, the environmental damage on this property is substantial. Your business is frozen. Your reputation is damaged. You can't win this. Take the deal. It's the best you'll get."

I looked at all three of them. My mother. My sister. The man who wanted to pave over my life.

"Get off my property," I said. "Before I call the police."

Sybil's smile finally faded. "You're making a mistake, Merit. You always were too stubborn for your own good."

She turned and walked back to the SUV. Fallon hesitated. For a split second, I saw something in her eyes. Doubt, maybe. Or fear.

Then she followed our mother.

Bryce lingered. He leaned in close. "Fourteen days, Merit. Then this yard gets bulldozed. And there's nothing you can do about it."

He got in the SUV and they drove away.

I stood at the gate, shaking.

Then I felt a hand on my arm. Eli Ward. He'd been watching from the office door.

"You okay?" he said.

"No," I said. "But I will be."

He looked at the SUV disappearing down the road. "They're scared, Merit. They wouldn't show up in person if they weren't. The POA challenge is working. They want to rattle you."

I took a deep breath. The lake air filled my lungs. Somewhere in the yard, a radio played. A saw buzzed. My employees were working, trusting me to keep their jobs safe.

"Then let's rattle them back," I said.

I walked into the office, picked up the phone, and called Karen Pruitt.

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"Find me everything on Bryce Coleman," I said. "Every deal. Every lawsuit. Every corner he's ever cut. I want to know who I'm dealing with."

Karen laughed. "I already started. And Merit? You're going to like what I'm finding."