“We just need to clear the access route through the eastern ridge,” Trevor said.

“That’s my land,” I said. “I’m not giving you an easement.”

“I can offer you a very generous buyout for that strip of road, Meredith,” he said, pointing to the narrow dirt track that cut through my pines. “More than it’s worth.”

“My road is not for sale,” I said.

“Think about your parents,” Trevor said, his voice turning slick. “If you sell me the access, we break ground next week, the project succeeds, and your parents’ house is completely safe.”

My mother looked up at me, her eyes pleading. “Please, Meredith. Just hear him out.”

I looked at the clipboard in Trevor’s hand, staring at the detailed layout of the resort.

Something about the way the cabins were clustered caught my eye.

The drawing showed several structures positioned directly over the steep slope leading down to the creek bed.

“Is this the final layout?” I asked, reaching out to tilt the clipboard toward me.

Trevor pulled it back slightly, but not before I saw the label on the blue shading near the water.