Chapter 44

Matthew decided to drop the matter. "Elise turned you down. Shocking, huh?" Samuel's jaw tightened slightly. Having grown up with him, Matthew could read the silence well. "I don't get you, Mr. Holt," Matthew started. "Help me out here. Are you trying to get divorced, or not?" "How is that any of your business?" Matthew grinned. "Of course it's my business. I need to know whether to call that girl 'Zara' or 'Mrs. Holt.'" "I'm busy. See yourself out," Samuel commanded. Catching the shift in his tone, Matthew wisely backed off. He raised his hands before heading for the door. … On the western side of the city, Elise stepped out of the car and took in the wide stretch of land. The soil had already been tilled, and it was ready for planting. "When did you manage all this?" she asked. Henry replied, "It was my grandmother's land. She loved growing things. After she passed, my grandfather kept it cleared, but never planted anything again." Elise crouched down and scooped a handf