Rachael said, holding a map of the 150,000 acres that MJ now owned along with the plantation house and several outbuildings. Maddie pulled at the strap of the hardhat on her head. It was tight and uncomfortable, but MJ threatened to punish her if she took it off. She wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but she was tempted to toss the hardhat to the floor to find out. He stood with Merrick and Joan at a drafting table, pouring over blueprints. He hadn’t told her what he was going to do with the property, but she knew he was making it into a business like Rachael and Merrick had done with Turtle Tear. MJ told her it was a surprise and he wasn’t ready to tell her just yet. It was Maddie’s second visit to the plantation, but her father and Rachael’s first. MJ and Merrick had lugged a big steamer trunk down out of the attic. Along with some dead bugs, there were photographs, diaries, a few ornate silver pieces, and enough history on Ingrid and Archibald’s family to keep Rachael entranced for days.
