“It was a handwritten will.”

“Which is called a holographic will,” she retorted, “and you know as well as I do it’s perfectly legal. But in case I’m wrong…what are you planning to do with Johnny’s boat, if you get it?”

He answered without hesitation. “My cousins and I are going to continue to run the fishing charter service.”

“Excuse me?” She laughed. She laughed until tears streamed from her eyes. Maybe her tears bordered on hysteria, but she honestly couldn’t help it. The idea of these button-down Remington cousins running a fishing boat was ludicrous.

She had to stop and lean against a fence until she had herself under control. Cooper paused, arms folded, feet planted. Obviously he wasn’t amused.

“Just what do you know about fishing?” she asked, wiping away her tears.

“You might be surprised. I worked on the Dragonfly when I was a teenager. I’m sure we have a lot to learn, but-”

“The first thing you ought to learn is that Remington Charters’ most valuable asset is its reputation. Seventy percent of my business is repeat customers. You shut down the boat, force me to cancel cruises and send customers elsewhere, it could take years to undo the damage.”

“I didn’t think-”

“No, you didn’t.” She was on a roll now. “The business has bills to pay. You think docking a boat at the Port Clara Marina is cheap? You think my creditors will ever do business with you if your actions force me to stiff them?”

“Look, I have to protect my assets. But I’ve been thinking about things. In fact, I was working on a little proposition before you arrived.”

Her hackles rose. What new trick had he come up with? “The boat is my asset, and what kind of proposition?”

“My cousins and I have discussed it, and we’re prepared to offer you a generous cash settlement to quit your claim to the boat.”

Oh, brother. “No.”