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Not you, too. Look, Charlotte s niece is at the house with Gerald, and I need to get
back before I m missed. Grady, take care of the security around here. I take it you two
still haven t found the totem?
Dean twitched his ears in irritation. Except for the wolves you two just chased off,
there s been nothing here since& Charlotte. They all fell silent. But the niece is finally
here, hmm? What s she like?
She s a tough one, but I m handling her.
Sure you are. Grady s eyes gleamed with amusement.
Oh ho. So that s the way of it. Was she any good? Dean wanted to know.
Burke growled a warning before pouncing. He needed to get back to Rachel, but
he d about had it with his brothers insinuations and teasing. Time to remind them who
was in charge.
Several minutes later, he released a cursing Dean and left an amused Grady to prowl
the grounds. Loping back to his clothes, he hurriedly donned them and returned to the
house just as Gerald and Rachel exited.
32 www.samhainpublishing.com
Rachel s Totem
Ah, Burke. There you are. We were just about to come find you.
Ignoring the censure in Gerald s tone, Burke nodded at Rachel. You okay?
Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks pale. She nodded, however, and met his
gaze. It s hard, but I m managing. My aunt was a neat freak. So moving in should be a
snap.
Burke shot a surprised glance at Gerald, who shrugged behind Rachel. You re
staying?
Her lips thinned. Yes. Is that going to be a problem?
Thoughts about the totem slipped his mind as he realized Rachel staying gave him an
opportunity to revisit their association from earlier this morning. He couldn t help
grinning as he stared at her from head to toe. No problem at all. I d be more than happy
to help you settle in, Rachel.
She blinked at his husky voice and took a step back in confusion. Good, he d thrown
her. Now how to lure her close again. He not only wanted to touch and taste every inch of
her, but he wanted her away from this house for her own protection. And then there was
that little matter of the totem s whereabouts.
Rachel coughed into her hand, breaking the sudden silence. I, ah, I think we need to
continue, Gerald. You said you d let us know how my aunt divided the property?
Gerald nodded at Rachel and proceeded to explain Charlotte s wishes.
Rachel gawked at Gerald, and Burke could only stare, not sure what to say. On the
one hand, Charlotte s decision made it easier for him to search for the totem. And on the
other& He glanced at Rachel.
You re telling me Charlotte didn t divide the property or set up any boundaries at
all. He waited for Gerald s affirmation before continuing. So basically, my brothers
and I co-own the land with Rachel, but she retains sole ownership of the actual house?
Ah, not exactly.
Explain it then. Burke didn t like surprises, and Gerald s ambiguity was pissing
him off big time.
www.samhainpublishing.com 33
Marie Harte
Charlotte didn t leave the land to all the Chastells. Just to you, Burke, and to
Rachel. Gerald dug into his briefcase and withdrew an official envelope. This is for
you, from Charlotte. And this one& he paused to dig out another one, & this one s for
you, Rachel. It s supposed to explain everything. You are each to open the letters and
hand them back to me when you re done. He produced a lighter. Sorry, but she wanted
me to burn the letters once you finished. Nothing says you can t share the information
you read with each other, however. I didn t understand her wishes either, but per
Charlotte, no one else reads your messages but you. And if you fail to abide by that minor
instruction, the entire property goes to Monty GrayClaw or his descendants.
What?
Gerald sighed. Just read the damned letter and burn it, Burke. It s easy enough to
understand. Rachel, you okay with this?
Sure. I guess. She gave Burke a wary look and turned her attention back to her
envelope. Opening it, she read the letter, her frown growing as her eyes flew over the
page.
Burke muttered under his breath about contrary females and did the same, thinking
Charlotte s grand, flowing script fit with the larger-than-life, autocratic woman who liked
to boss him at every turn. Even in death she reached out to tell him what to do.
Dear Burke,
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