“Wait,” Maggie said, beginning to catch on. “You said ‘actively farmed’.”
Shane nodded approvingly. “I did. Because you have not claimed the farm as neither a source of income – or loss – there are those that are vying to rescind your special tax status.”
“So Maggie’s taxes will go up,” Kieran said, shrugging. “So what?”
“That is a gross understatement, I’m afraid. Unless Maggie uses at least part of the land for agricultural purposes, the entire property will be rezoned and reassessed.”
“I still don’t see what the problem is. Won’t the agreement with the Goddess take care of all that?” Lexi asked.
“It would, if Maggie could retain ownership long enough to see that come to fruition.”
“Shane, what is it you are not telling me?”
Shane blew out a breath. He looked so apologetic Maggie actually felt a stab of sympathy for him. “There’s a motion before the County Board to not only reassess and rezone, but to make the changes retroactive back to when Maggie assumed ownership ten years ago. To make matters worse, they are planning on charging Maggie with tax evasion and fraud, saying she knew what she was doing all along and has deliberately been abusing the privileges of her special status.”
“That’s insane!” Several of them voiced their opinions in creative ways.
“Those charges will tie the property rights up in red tape indefinitely, so that any tentative agreement with the Goddess becomes effectively meaningless. Then, between the fines, penalties, back-taxes, and interest, Maggie – we’re talking about an ungodly sum of money.”
The color drained from her face. “Can they really do that?”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re not going to let that happen,” Michael assured her, tightening his hold on her slightly.
“Hell, no,” Ian agreed heartily.
The next hour was spent discussing options and ideas. Maggie remained silent throughout most of it. It was hard for her to believe that Spencer would go to such lengths to destroy her, even with the amount of money involved. How could she have underestimated him so?
––––––––
“Shane?” Maggie asked quietly, laying her hand upon his arm as he walked out into the hallway. She’d been waiting for a chance to speak with him out of earshot from the others. “When we marry, will Michael then become liable as well?”
Shane shifted his weight from one leg to the other. Clearly he did not want to answer the question, but Maggie persisted. “Please, Shane. I have to know.”
“Yes. According to Pennsylvania state law, assets – and liabilities - are shared jointly between spouses unless special arrangements – like a prenup – are made.” He paused, as though unsure whether or not to continue. “But I have to tell you, Maggie, getting something like that done at this point would not be advisable. Not to mention the fact that Mick would blow a gasket.”
Maggie nodded. It was as she suspected. “And Aidan and Lexi? If I sign the papers, then they’re pretty much in limbo until all this gets resolved, right?”
“Yeah, pretty much. But they’re not going to back out on you, no matter what. None of us are.”
“Thanks, Shane.” She patted his arm and turned to go.
“Maggie? You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said quietly. “Thanks.”
*
When Shane re-entered the kitchen a few minutes later, he was instantly and violently pinned up against the wall. Ian had his left side, Kieran, his right.
“What did you say to her?” Ian demanded.
“What are you talking about? I just went to take a pi - ”
“You leave the room. Maggie follows you out. Two minutes later she rips the Goddess agreement in half and tells Michael the wedding’s off. What the fuck did you do?”
The color drained from Shane’s face as he realized what Maggie had just done. “Fuck. Where is she?”
“Upstairs. Michael’s trying to talk some sense into her.”
*
It was obvious a short time later by Michael’s expression that he hadn’t been very successful, but Ian decided to ask anyway. “Any luck?”
“No,” Michael answered in a low growl. From the set of his jaw and the way he kept running his hand through his hair, his frustration came through clearly. “She says she’s not going to take us down with her.”
“That’s bullshit!” Sean exclaimed.
“Well of course it is,” Jack Callaghan scoffed. “But Maggie’s a good woman. She’s going to protect the ones she loves.”
“Unfortunately, Dad’s right,” Michael exhaled. “You don’t know Maggie. She’s stubborn as hell, and I don’t think she’s going to budge on this.”
Shane stood and said with determination, “Then I guess it’s up to us to make sure this gets cleared up quickly.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight