It Goes On - Book l

Pecking Order

"Blue is proposed water, green is sewer, pink is for driveways, corner buildings are in red, and yellow is for gas. If they were to dam the river, my guess is that it would be up there at that bend." Tony pointed out while Kiera walked alongside him to view the property for herself.

"That's exactly where they're doing it, love." Simon chimed in as he was holding the copy of the blueprint she had given him to hold on to.

"Is that your property at the bend?"

"It is."

"Mrs. Riley, I won't lie to you, but this will have a major impact on your land. Erosion is my biggest concern at this point."

"My biggest concern is a valley of condos sucking up our river." Kiera scoffed, a frown decorating her face.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing that we can do here. On their land, it's their river."

"That's where you're wrong, Tony," She tilted her head. "That bend as well as the half mile in front of it and behind it runs through our land. 70% of it if I remember right. They only chose the bend because it's the widest part of the river for the last twenty miles. Guarantee it's because it's where it doesn't freeze in the winter and they can keep sucking on it year-round."

"You're probably right, Mrs. Riley, but you can take it to civil court if they propose they operate their mill on that bend if it goes through your land like you say. That's higher up than what I know, unfortunately, but until then, I can't stop the river from flowing."

"I'm not telling you to stop it. We're going to move it."

"Wh-? Do you have legal authority to do that?" He asked with genuine concern.

"It's my land," She arched her brow. "So since that bend goes through my land, it's my river."

"Don't kill the messenger," He breathed a chuckle. "You do as you please."

"I could've told you that," She smirked. "I'll keep in touch. Thank you for your time."

Tony nodded, sighing heavily through his nostrils as he watched Kiera and Simon walk towards her truck, Simon opening the passenger side door for her before putting himself into the driver's seat. "What're you thinking, love?"

She breathed heavily before looking back at her curious twins in search of her daily reminder to fight for them, smiling at them when Evie flashed a warm smile. "I'm thinking that we're going to need the help of your demolitions expert."

"You're planning on moving the river, aren't you?"

"Damn right I am. I'm going to ruin his fucking career."

Simon couldn't help but chuckle, hearing a scoff come from Kiera's lips, "I suppose you need to apologize to Baler."

"Why?"

"You broke the cursing rule."

"I can break the rule I established, but I can also say it slipped."

"Mhm, sure you did," He smirked, reaching over to grasp her hand to bring to his lips, placing a kiss to her knuckles. "What're our plans for today?"

"Well, it is Saturday. How about we take mom out into town for dinner after Baler gets done with his chores?"

"Sounds good to me. Whatever you want to do, love."

"Mom needs to spend some time with Baler. She hasn't seen him all week because of school and his chores. I'm sure she's dying to get out of the house and do something that doesn't involve having brunch with Suzanne from work."