Wrinkling my brow, I said, “That snake River has sunk to a whole new low.”
“What did he do?” He pulled back, scanning my face. “Come on. Out with it.”
I slumped. “That incense-burning quack is trying to evict me.”
“What?” Shock rippled through his gaze. “You mean from his clinic?”
“No. I mean from the property wheremyclinic is. Or was.” I gritted my teeth. “He sent me a three-day notice to pay my rent or get out.”
He raised his brows. “He didwhat?”
“He’s trying to evict me, if you can believe it.”
Concern rippled through his brown eyes. “Shit. So he… he really did buy that land?”
I let go of him, stomach churning. “Apparently. But for whatever reason, he didn’t bother to mention it to me. That’s highly suspicious.”
“I agree.”
“Now he’s threatening to evict me for nonpayment of rent.” I huffed. “I’ve been paying my rent all along. I simply had no idea the ownership had changed hands.”
Frowning, Royce said, “I thought the family that owned the property didn’t want to sell?”
“I thought the same thing. I guess he made them an offer they couldn’t refuse?”
“What in tarnation is he up to?”
I took the bag of food from him and went into the kitchen. “I have no idea. I only know whatever it is, it won’t be good for me.”
He followed me, looking puzzled. “Could it simply be a miscommunication?”
“Royce, I see the man almost every day at his clinic, whether I want to or not. We just spent several hellish days with him and Lucas at Giggly Elves Farm. You’re telling me he’s had no chance to come clean?”
“Good point.” He leaned against the counter as I unpacked the burgers he’d purchased. “Maybe he was worried you’d overreact if he told you the truth.”
“Even so, he should have said something.”
“I agree.”
“It’s not like he could keep it a secret forever.” Feeling muddled, I put my veggie burger on a plate and his double-bacon cheeseburger on another. “I don’t understand why he seems to be so fixated on ruining me.”
“He does seem to be awfully preoccupied with you.” Royce frowned. “But if he just wanted to get rid of you, after the fire, why did he agree to lease you a room in his clinic?”
“This is why I’m so confused by him. His behavior is all over the place.” I carried the plates to the table. “Maybe he’s schizophrenic.”
Royce laughed dryly. “Maybe.”
“I was looking over the lease when you came home.” I sat down, feeling demoralized. “My old landlord was legally obligated to tell me about the sale. I never received anything, but I suspect that’s because of the fire.”
“Sure, but as you said, River has had ample opportunity to tell you about his purchasing the land.”
“Yes. I assume the sale happened around the time of the fire. Otherwise, the notice about the sale would have reached me.” I stared at my food, feeling too stressed to eat. “I couldn’t have stopped the sale, even if I had received the notice. But at least my rent checks would have gone to the right address. If he hasn’t received the money, technically Iamin breach of contract.”
Royce studied me, a line between his brows. “Are you going to confront River?”
“I have to at least talk to him.”
“Absolutely.” He hesitated. “When do you plan on doing that?”
