AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He did enjoy my hot crossed buns.” She winked, but the light dropped away from her eyes. “Every time I make them, I think of him.”
I rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry.”
After nodding, she went out to the tiny room behind the main part of the shop to grab her purse, returning to exit out the front door. “I won’t be long. I’ll loop around Main Street and come back to help. I’m sure we’ll be busy by then.”
“I bet we will.”
The bell jangled as she opened the door, and I followed her out onto the sidewalk. Maybe I should set up a table and give out samples. That was how I’d drawn in customers when I first opened.
“There you are.” Estadore, the griffin realtor who owned Griffin Grove Real Estate Group hurried down the sidewalk, his lion’s mane ruffling in the breeze and his tail swishing behind him. He was one of three griffins in town, though they weren’t related, and he was a sweetie. He’d stopped by the hospital after Grannie broke her hip to bring her flowers.
“Hello,” I said, hoping he was here for ice cream.
However, he stopped beside Carla, only giving me a nod.
“Wonderful news,” he said to Carla. “We’ve got an offer on the place in Florida.”
“Ahh!” Carla’s bright gaze met mine before she turned back to Estadore.
I hadn’t realized she’d put the Florida place up for sale, but I wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t gone there in years. She said her heart wasn’t in it without Walter. I could swear she’d mentioned that she was thinking of renting it, though maybe I’d misheard. While a real estate agency could handle short- and even long-term rentals, things got broken or damaged. She’d shown me pictures, and the house was full of gorgeous antiques. I couldn’t imagine renting it as it was.
To give them privacy, I walked over to the window boxes and started grooming the annuals I’d planted there this spring. I wasn’t trying to listen in, but the wind caught their words and sent them in my direction.
“How much is the offer?” Carla asked with excitement.
He named a price that made my eyeballs pop.
Her growl rumbled my way. “That’s not enough. I told you I needed a certain amount. The second mortgage . . .” She glanced in my direction.
When I saw how pink her face was, I opened the door and went inside.
This time, I did snoop on purpose. I crept over to the open window, close to where they stood.
Second mortgage? Carla had inherited a lot of money—so she’d bragged around town multiple times. Why would she need to borrow money against the property?
“This price will cover both the first and second mortgage,” Estadore said.
“I want more. I need it.” Desperation came through in Carla’s hissed voice. “Counteroffer.” She named a figure that made my eyes widen even farther. “I won’t take less than that.”
“I thought you wanted to wash your hands of the properties.”
Properties with an S?
“I do, but . . .” She lowered her voice.
I leaned against the wall beside the window, straining to hear their every word.
“You were able to liquidate the belongings?” she said.
“Yes, I got quite a bit for them at auction.” He named a number that made my heart flip over. “I mailed the cashier’s check, and you deposited it.”
“Yes, I did. Sorry. I forgot. It was barely enough to cover my current expenses. Contrary to popular belief, my husband didn’t . . .”
What expenses? Shouldn’t everything be covered by the wealth Walter had left her in his will?
“I’m sorry you’re having financial difficulties,” Estadore said. “I’m doing all I can to help. But the market is horrible in Florida right now. Hurricanes, politics, and the insurance fiasco are making everyone eager to sell. I think this offer is solid, and you should seriously consider taking it.”
“I can’t accept it. What’s left after paying off Walter’s loans will barely cover three payments on my place here.”
