The commercial land market in the county is volatile right now, and people get nervous when a major build is coming up.”

“You said you were running out of time,” I said, keeping my hands folded over my purse strap.

“You told whoever was on the speaker that you might lose her if the papers were not ready soon.”

Daniel let out a warm, easy laugh that echoed off the tall glass walls of the living room.

“We’re trying to secure a master excavation contractor before the November first deadline, Margaret.

If we lose our lead builder to another project, the whole development sits stalled until late spring.”