I get to my feet. “So, what’s that mean for us? I know you had to do what you had to do, Kirk, and I’m not upset with you at all. I’m just . . . you know, worried.”

And scared shitless.

Every cell in my body shakes with trepidation and a fear of the unknown. Will I hate my new boss? Will anyone be my boss, or will he hire all new personnel? Will he scrap the business and use the land for something else?

“I’m not sure what he’s going to do with it, to be honest,” he says. “The offer was very fair, and I didn’t even have to list it. I couldn’t turn it down, Palmer. I hope you understand.”

“Of course.” I just hate it.

“The guy will be by this afternoon,” he says. “He wants to look around. I told him that you’ll be there and would show him around. You don’t mind, do you?”

Yes, I mind. I don’t want to show anyone anything.

I look into Kirk’s office and frown. How on earth am I going to get this place cleaned up so the new owner doesn’t think we’re a complete disaster in here? Ugh.

“Sure. I’ll do whatever you need me to,” I say sadly.

“I’ll come by next week and tell the guys. Please don’t mention it to them. I want to have a bit more information from the buyer about his plans before we upset the guys for no reason.”

“Understood.”

“And, Palmer?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for everything, sweetheart. You’re one of a kind.”

I smile, knowing that should make me feel better. But it doesn’t.

“I’ll let you know when he leaves,” I say.

“That would be great. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay. Talk soon.”

“Goodbye.”

I end the call and sit at my desk.

My head falls into my hands. I’m unable to cry anymore. I’m unable to really even be surprised by anything. It’s just one thing after another.

I look up as a soft knock raps against the door. Then it opens. I expect to see Burt with a burger.

But it’s not Burt.

And he doesn’t have a burger.

I stand again, rolling my chair back so hard that it smashes against the wall. Tears fill my eyes as if they’ve suddenly remembered how to create moisture.

“Cole?” I ask, as if I might be hallucinating.

“Hey, Palmer.”

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO COLE

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

COLE

Can you, um, breathe? Please?” I ask.

She parts her lips and drags in a huge lungful of air. The abruptness makes her choke, and she coughs for a couple of seconds, refusing to remove her eyes from mine.