Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Daisy sat back, her face clearing. “All right. I need a dollar.”
Amka reached into her apron for a bill and slid it across the table.
“I didn’t need that to be your lawyer, but it helps. I’ll draft up a letter of engagement tonight for you to sign. For now. You can’t leave me part of the bar.”
“Sure I can.”
Daisy pushed her wild hair away from her face. “That’s sweet, but I don’t get it. Tell me why you are trying to disinherit your soon-to-be husband.”
“No.”
Daisy quirked her lips. “All right. Well, since you’re engaged, I need to know if you plan on changing this will once you are married?”
Amka cleared her throat. “I’m not planning on getting married, but if something happens to me beforehand, I’d like my stuff to go to people I care about.”
Daisey’s eyes widened. “You think the arson attack was meant specifically for you?”
“I don’t know.” That was the truth. But just in case, she wanted her life organized.
“All right. So, as your attorney who is bound by client confidentiality and total discretion, why aren’t you planning to be married, and why don’t you want your estate left to your fiancé?”
Amka glanced around again. Nobody was paying a titch of attention to them. “I don’t love Jarod, don’t want to get married, and definitely don’t want him to end up with my cabin or my bar.”
Daisy paled. “Well. I don’t like the guy, but I figured he rocked in bed, which explained everything.”
Amka exhaled. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never slept with that asshole.” Although he kept making moves. He was becoming more daring, and she tried not to be alone with him often.
Daisy coughed and just stared at her. “Um.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Amka could barely breathe. The less people who knew about Hank’s death, the better.
“All right.” Curiosity glowed bright in Daisy’s eyes. “That’s fair. But I’m your lawyer now, so you can tell me anything.”
Amka had already shared with May, and that was enough for now. She couldn’t take another friend looking at her with a mixture of pity and fury. Although, if she needed a posse, she might be able to put one together. “So what’s the plan?”
Daisy studied her for a moment. “The will as you’ve specified will be valid until you say I Do, and then Jarod would have a spousal election in your estate in case you die. A spousal election in Alaska depends on how long you’ve been married, so the longer the marriage, the more of a cut he’d get. But he’d get something, no matter what. Unless you both sign a prenuptial agreement before getting married.”
“Draw it up.” Amka had no intention of actually going through with the marriage ceremony, but maybe seeing a prenup would get Jarod to think twice. He’d already mentioned using the tavern as collateral for his big new touristy hotel. “Is there a way you can gift part of this tavern now to people without letting them know?”
“Including me?” Daisy frowned.
Yeah, that didn’t make much sense. “Jarod wants to use my collateral in Sam’s Tavern to get a loan for the motel. How do I make it unavailable to him?”
Daisy scrunched up her nose, showcasing a myriad of freckles. “Let me think. I guess you could leverage it yourself? Like use the tavern as collateral for another project?”
That made sense, but what project? “I don’t want to risk the bar, but I would like to take any financial incentive away from Jarod.”
Daisy bit her lip. “As your attorney, I’d really like to know what’s going on.”
“I’m not ready to talk about it.” Amka glanced around the room to make sure the few remaining patrons didn’t need refills.
Daisy coughed. “All right. Are you in danger?”
Was she? Somebody had planted an explosive device in her storage building that had detonated when she’d been inside. “I’m not sure.”
“From Jarod?” Daisy asked.
“No.” It didn’t make sense for Jarod to hurt her when they weren’t married. He wouldn’t automatically inherit anything. “He’s a jerk, but I don’t think he’s too dangerous.” Except when he’d tried to rip off her clothes. She’d handled him each time, though. Her stomach ached. What if she couldn’t handle him next time?
Daisy jotted down a couple more notes. “All right. I don’t like being in the dark here, but I can draft both the prenup and the will as your lawyer.” She placed the pen by the notepad. “As your friend, I can help you bury his body where it can’t be found.”
Amka burst out laughing. “I appreciate it.”
“Are you frightened of him? Is that why you’re marrying him?”
“No.” Amka stood.
Daisy tapped a finger on her lips and leaned in. “Is it because of Christian? He’s so hot, and he always watches you.”
“No.” Amka sighed. “I admit that Christian’s good looking, but I want someone who takes care of me once in a while. He did save me from the fire, but I always bring him soup, have done his laundry and stuff like that. He needs taking care of.”