Page 24 of Highlands Homecoming

Dave interrupted, “No, half means half—Cut down the middle: 50% for me, 50% for her.”

Colin nodded. “Well, that’s a good idea, but unfortunately the divorce has been finalized.”

“Then why don’t I have the notarized final copies of the divorce in my hands?”

“They’re on their way. It was finalized per your request over the weekend, and I just need to?—”

“No, you don’t need to. You’re my lawyer, and I’m telling you to stop everything until I can sort this house thing out.”

Colin froze. “I can’t do that.”

“You can, and you will.”

“It’s already done,” said Colin boldly, hoping that his lawyerly tone would resonate with Dave.

“But it’s not. The papers have to be notarized, and final copies get sent to both parties. I don’t have those notarized final copies.”

“They’re already in process,” said Colin. “I mean, they’re being finalized right now.” Colin peeked through his office door and could see his assistant furiously printing the papers so she could notarize them.

And just then, the power went out.

Colin closed his eyes.Ice storm strikes again. Why couldn’t it have prevented Dave from coming over?

He glanced through the door with raised eyebrows.We got it?

His assistant shook her head and mouthed, “not yet.”

“So yeah, I wanna put that Scotland house on the market. Like I told you, me and my girlfriend wanna sell the place and get a condo in Vegas,” said Dave.

“I understand,” said Colin through gritted teeth. “Unfortunately, David, it’s a done deal. You and Melissa have both signed the divorce papers.”

“Yeah, but the thing is … they’re not in my hand. And better yet, they’re not in Melissa’s hands. Not notarized copies, at least. Which means there’s nothing to stop me from putting that house on the market today.” He checked his watch. “And since it’s morning, it’s still business hours. Looks like Melissa’s lost this one.”

The power flashed back on, and the printer whirred and hissed, spitting out the hard copies of the divorce documents. Colin collected them and handed them to Dave, along with a pen.

“Here you go, David. As you can see, Melissa has signed, and you have signed. One final signature with the date should seal the deal.”

Dave scowled and looked at the calendar. A twisted grimace flashed across his face as he quickly signed and dated the documents.

Colin wondered what had changed, but he was grateful.

“Good day, then, MacGregor. Looking forward to selling that estate.”

“You’ll need the owner’s signature in order to sell it,” said Colin evenly.

“I’m the owner. We’re still married,” Dave repeated like a broken record.

Colin took a deep breath.Why did he have to keep repeating this to this numpty?

“You and Melissa both signed the documents dissolving the marriage. You just now signed the final, notarized?—”

“I gave myself some wiggle room. I dated those documents February 1st, and you didn’t even notice. What a sham lawyer you turned out to be, but it’s all in my favor now. I’ve got several more weeks of domestic bliss that says I get half of that house when it sells. But considering my own lawyer is dating my wife, I may be able to get the whole thing.”

And with that, Dave walked out, slamming the door behind him.

That night Colinsat at his desk in his condo with a cup of tea, staring at the computer screen. He opened a new tab and scrolled through some flights to Scotland. Then he clicked back to his work.

His cell phone rang.