Page 19 of Bastain

“That’s what mom said you guys would say. That she’s your sister and not sister-in-law.” The two of them continued to look around the large building. “I’m going to move my offices in this building when I get it empty. It might take me a while to get it emptied out, but I’m going to enjoy working from here.”

They found a larger room full of linens. Not just sheets and pillow cases, but there were napkins and tablecloths as well. Even dollies that were laying around the room in so many different colors that he wanted them made into a bedspread and put on the beds. He picked one up and held it up to the light from the window.

“I wonder how old this one is? It looks like it was just made yesterday, and that they put it on their dresser. Look at this one.” It was made in red and green, and the perfect little trees around it were decorated for Christmas. “I could see these hanging all over a Christmas tree in the winter. I’d not do it; I’d make a mess of it, but I could see it.”

They talked about other things that they’d find. There were two large dining room tables filled with China sets. Large ones that would feed twenty people at a time. In the same room that they found little rocking chairs and high chairs in, there were dozens of children’s sets for dining too. Old bibs as well as toys were all along the shelves that were in the room. Tonka trucks that they had as children, as well as dolls that he thought were beautiful and in good shape.

“You’re not going to be able to sell all this stuff, do you think?” He said he didn’t know, but he was willing to give it a shot. “She seemed to want so much for this stuff. That truck goes for less than that brand new. Why would anyone want to pay that much for one that has a bit of rust on it?”

“I don’t know. Mark said she’d get bedroom sets for a couple of bucks each.” He said that the one he left behind was one of them. “Yeah. But did you see the prices she had on them? Again, a brand new set would be cheaper. Not as nice, of course, but I’d not pay five thousand dollars for a headboard and footboard with some rails. That seems like too much to me. Maybe she didn’t want to sell anything.”

“Could be there is some added expense that we’re not seeing.” He said that it couldn’t be rent, she wasn’t paying any. And while some of the pieces are in terrific shape, a few pieces in the bedroom stuff looks bad. Bastain said he’d just use it as firewood and be done with it. They talked about other things that they couldn’t believe how much they were going for. “Maybe like we said, we’re missing something. But I don’t know what it could be.”

Dayton marked a few other pieces that he wanted. He didn’t know for sure if he needed them or not, but he really loved them. One of them was another tall boy, like his mom had taken. The second item that he wanted was a porch set that was made of wicker. He was going to put it on his back deck so that he could enjoy it. The price tag on the four pieces, two chairs, a table, and a flower pot was ten thousand dollars. Neither one of them could understand that at all.

“Want to get some breakfast? We could then go and see Trin. I’ve been wanting her opinion on some things anyway. Did you know that she has a degree in forensic science? That’s what she said is good for her job.” He’d not known that but wasn’t hurt by it like he might well have been. They were getting to know one another now that he wasn’t pushing her away. “She works in an insurance office, but she really works all over the place. They pay her good money to find fraud in insured people. She said that it happens more than it doesn’t.”

“How many times have we had to bring someone to court who has done that same thing?” Dayton said more times than he could count. “I know. I had no idea what she did for a living. I knew that it must not have been too shabby a job. She does have that nice rental.”

“Actually, I own the house she’s living in. I have since before she moved in.” He wanted to ask Dayton what her rent was, but didn’t. It was none of his business, if it ever would be yet and he didn’t want to make any waves from her. “She’s looking for something that she can live in while she’s down with her leg. I guess Mom is going to be staying with her while she recuperates.”

“They’re both going to be living with me.” He was slightly embarrassed when he told Dayton that. He didn’t want him to jump to the wrong conclusion. “Trinity is going to be living in the master suite on the main floor of the house because it’s the only bedroom that doesn’t have stairs. I’m sort of glad for it as I’ve fallen in love with her and don’t want her hurt again.”

“I can see that. Her aunt did a number on her when she was trying to get the money.” They both shivered at what damage had been done to Trinity when her aunt had gotten it in her head to take the Social Security checks from her mom. “At least with her in prison, she can get better and not have to worry about her getting her again. I heard that she’s still wondering where her money is.”

“Figures. I heard that she’s fit to stand trial at any time. I should have heard before now. I would have thought that I’d have it by now but something got delayed. I’m just happy that we can get this going so that she’s out of our hair. I never wanted a trial to be finished as much as this one.” They talked about that for a while on their way to the diner for breakfast. “I’m starving. I can’t believe how long I’ve been up and had nothing to eat.”

“Mom would tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I disagree with her. I think that lunch is. If I have a big lunch, which I tend to do, I can not eat dinner and be all right. I might need breakfast the next morning, but not all that much. I love big lunches.” He said that he knew that about him. “I thought you might. I’m starving too. It’s nearly eleven now.”

The two of them enjoyed their lunch it turned out to be and had a good time. When Dayton’s phone went off, he put it on speaker phone, and they both talked to Mark. The man was fast becoming a good friend to them all, and Bastian was going to miss him.

“I’m leaving tomorrow. You can get in touch with me, but if you can’t, then call my attorney. I don’t have a house phone yet down there, but I’ll get one just for you guys.” They both thanked him. “The movers are coming in tomorrow to pack up the few things that I want. And it’s really only a few things. So I appreciate you taking what’s left. Like I said, if you don’t want it, sell it. I’m finished with the house and its contents.”

After talking about him traveling safely, the three of them hung up. It was just after one when Bastain’s phone rang, and it was his mom. Trinity was ready to come home, and she wanted to know if he had plans for the limo today.

“I want her to have plenty of room when she’s coming home. If I had to put her into my old beater, then she’d be hurting worse than before.” They talked about him coming over to help, but she said that she wanted to do it. She’d have to be able to load her up and out when they went to the doctor’s office anyway. “I need the practice.”

“All right. I’m headed to my office now. If you need anything at all, just call. Dayton’s home is ready for him to move into tomorrow. He’s picked out a few more pieces of the stuff here to take with him.” She told him that she was proud of him. “I’ll tell him. He’s on his way to the house now.”

“I might have to go over and have a look at it. I don’t know that I’ve ever been in that house since Mark purchased it all those years ago. Did you know that he owned that house before he married Tilly?” Bastain said that he’d not. “Yes, that’s another thing that Tilly was never happy about. Nothing was in her name when she wanted it to be.”

“I guess he’s a better attorney than I thought if he’s been able to keep her name off of all the things that he owns.” Mom said she was proud of him, too. “Next time I talk to him, I’ll let him know. The guy is excited to be starting his new life in Tennessee. I think that if anyone deserves a break, it’s him.”

“Yes, the poor man. To think that his wife was related to the nicest woman I ever met. Doris was such a wonderful person. I wish you could have gotten to know her. She would have been in your corner, too.” He’d yet to tell his mom that he told Trinity that he loved her. He didn’t even know if he’d told her that he loved the other woman yet. He was waiting until it was a better time for Trinity. She’s been through enough as it was and needed a break. He was going to see about getting that for her and soon.

~*~

Trin loved her room. It was large, and the furniture that was in it was the set that she would have picked out at her aunt’s shop. The big four-poster bed was perfect in the room, and the dressers made it easier for her to get around by holding onto them. She had to be careful, she knew, but for now, the way she was getting around was all right with her. Careful and easy was what she was doing.

“You shouldn’t be up yet.” Instead of helping her back to bed, Bastain scooped her up in his arms and put her back in bed. After another quick kiss, he was sitting in one of the three chairs in the room that surrounded the fireplace. “The doctor said no cheating now that you were no longer in the hospital. You have to—”

“Will you stop that?” He grinned at her and asked her what she meant. “Kissing me every chance you get. I can’t get my bearings right with you doing that all the time. Just keep your mouth to yourself until I say differently.” He said that it would take her too long to get around to telling him. He said that, besides, it was just too much fun to see her flustered. “I’m going to sock you in the face if you fluster me anymore. I’m dealing with a lot here, and you’re not helping.”

“I can help you deal if you want.” She growled at him, which only made him laugh all the harder. “What’s going on that you need for me to stop kissing you when the mood strikes me? I’m sure that it’s not that much. I’m being charming so you aren’t mad at me.”

“You’re being insane is what you’re being. And driving me there too.” He laughed, and she so wanted to get up and slug him. “Just give me time. You’re making me crazy the way that you just pick me up, too. I’m not a rag doll that needs to be tossed around.”

“No, you’re not. You’re a beautiful woman that I love. I do love you too. I’ve discovered that I love you more daily, too.” She told him that he couldn’t love her. “Why not? Because we don’t know one another yet? I’m getting information about you daily. I know a lot more about you than you know of me, I’m betting.”