I was sitting on my porch reading a book when a massive luxury SUV aggressively pulled into my driveway.
Vanessa stepped out wearing designer sunglasses and carrying an expensive overnight bag behind to her.
Her parents got out of the car, stretching their legs and looking around the forest with visible disdain.
I stayed seated in my rocking chair, marking my page with a piece of ribbon.
Vanessa marched up to the steps.
“Since Jared is too soft to handle this, my parents and I are here to audit this property. We need to see what it’s worth on the market. We’ll be staying the weekend.”
Her mother, a woman who looked like she spent her entire life at country clubs, wrinkled her nose.
“It’s very rustic. Where is the guest suite?”
I didn’t get up.
I simply looked at Vanessa.
“This is private property. You were not invited.”
“I am your daughter-in-law,” Vanessa scoffed. “And we are here to figure out how to save Jared’s inheritance.”
“Jared’s inheritance is in Miami,” I replied evenly. “This is my house, and you are trespassing.”
Vanessa laughed, an ugly, grading sound.
“You’re going to call the cops on your own family. Please.”
“I don’t need the police.”
I pulled a small black remote from my apron pocket and pressed a button.
At the ve the very end of the driveway, the heavy iron gate Thomas had installed, which I had kept wide open until now, began to slowly slide shut with a loud mechanical hum.
Vanessa spun around, her eyes widening in panic as the gate locked their large SUV inside my property.
“What are you doing?” she shrieked.
“I am controlling access to my land,” I said, finally standing up from the rocking chair.
“You have exactly 5 minutes to get your bags. Get back in your car, and I will open the gate for you to leave. If you choose to stay on my porch, the gate stays locked, and I will go inside and turn off the outdoor water valve. You can sleep in your car without a working bathroom.”
Vanessa’s father stepped forward, trying to puff his chest out to intimidate me.
“Now listen here, Leah. You can’t treat us like this.”