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to turn out in my favor.”
    She blinked, once, then met his steady gaze. A jitter in her tummy prevented her from speaking right away. This last week had taught her several important lessons. Not the least of which was to stop being a pushover, stop compromising her individuality in order to be liked and to belong.
    Shelby understood his anger. It appeared his ancestors had stayed, hers had not. Trent was right. When the dust settled, it was very likely she’d have no claim at all. But in the meantime, in case there was the slimmest possibility she was entitled to even a fraction of the place, she’d stay right here. Where she had the best chance of proving she could stand on her own two feet. Enjoy the creative freedom to design jewelry she loved without having her work belittled.
    â€œWe have no way of knowing what happened to Harold and Edgar’s partnership, or how it affected the ownership of the Eager Beaver,” she said calmly, very aware that she’d skirted the question.
    Unless she was mistaken, Trent was seriously considering calling her on it. He studied her for a long excruciating moment, then brushed past her without a word.
    She followed him out of the kitchen and to the hall. She took a quick peek down both sides. Only one bathroom. That sucked.
    â€œThis is my bedroom,” he said, motioning to his left, his lips a thin straight line. “The one at the other end is yours.”
    The door was open. No furniture in her line of sight. Just ugly brown carpet. “Okay. What about—”
    â€œWe’ll split the house in half. You stay on your side and I stay on mine. As soon as I get my hands on the deed, you’re outta here. Agreed?”
    â€œWell, no...” She poked her head into the no-frills bathroom. There was a shower-tub combo, a toilet, sink, no counter space to speak of, blue wallpaper from the eighties. But everything looked clean. “How are we supposed to divide the bathroom?”
    â€œWe’re not. It’s on my side. Feel free to use the john in the barn.”
    She turned back to him. “You’re not serious.”
    â€œIf the toilet gives you any trouble, shake the handle a few times. The shower is mostly used to get off the grime before coming in the house, so it’s not enclosed. But don’t worry. No one’s gonna look.”
    Shelby stared into his smug face, while holding on to her temper by a thread. So this was how he wanted to play it. Clearly he’d forgotten a not so small detail. “All right, so I guess the kitchen is mine.”
    â€œPart of it.”
    â€œNo, it’s definitely on my side—”
    He shouldered past her as if she were speaking to the wall.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œStay right there,” he said as he put one booted foot in front of the other and paced off the room.
    Diagonally.
    â€œNo,” she said. “Stop. That’s not how dividing works.”
    â€œYou’ll have the same square footage as me.”
    She tried to picture the kitchen. Exasperated, she couldn’t remember it clearly, but she was pretty sure the sink, stove and fridge were not in her corner. Assuming she’d put up with this nonsense.
    Yeah, when pigs fly.
    â€œYou’re being a child,” she told him.
    He ignored her, disappeared into the kitchen, then reappeared holding up a roll of blue duct tape. “Just so you’re clear on your areas.”
    â€œYou’re insane,” she said, and caught a glimmer of a smile as he ran a long strip of tape across the hardwood floor. Of course that’s what he wanted her to think so she’d get in her car and drive as far away as possible. “I’m surprised the tape can stick to all that dust.”
    He paused and gave the floor a thoughtful inspection. “To show you what a good guy I am, I’ll loan you a broom so you can sweep your side.” He frowned. “I almost forgot,” he said and