Mr.Price cleared his throat.“I attempted to send you this letter and the money, but after an exhaustive search, we were unable to locate a permanent address for you.”
Holly waited for them to give the attorney the address to that big white house that she’d seen the picture of at their lunch at the Peppermint Courtyard.When neither of them spoke up, realization dawned on Holly.The picture they’d shown her wasn’t their home.It was all made up, just like most of everything else they’d told her.They were nothing more than con artists.
Mr.Price leaned back in his chair.“You can waste your time and money contesting the will, but you should know that I will defend it vigorously just as my client would have wanted.And if you continue to harass Holly, I will bring you up on fraud charges.”
Roger muttered something under his breath as he stood up.Then he turned to Billie Jean.“Let’s go.We have places to be.”
And that was it.They walked away without another word to either of them.As they exited the building, Holly could feel the weight on her shoulders lifting.
Still, she didn’t want to get too excited.She looked at Mr.Price.“Is this it?Is it over?”
He nodded.“I did a little digging, and neither one of them has any money to take you to court.And even if they did.They would lose.”
Mr.Price stood and stepped out from behind his desk.“You don’t have to worry.Go enjoy your holiday.”
Tears rushed to her eyes as she stood.She blinked repeatedly.“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.It means so much.How much do I owe you?”
Mr.Price waved away her offer.“Nothing.Consider it a Christmas gift.”
It didn’t feel right not to pay him anything after the way she’d interrupted his holiday.“Are you sure?I feel like I need to do something to repay you for all you’ve done.”
He was quiet for a moment, and then he smiled.“I know.After the holidays, my wife and I will stop by your shop, and my wife can pick out one of your beautiful baskets of soaps.She’s always going on about them.Would that work?”
It wasn’t what she had in mind, and it didn’t seem like nearly enough, but she nodded her head.“Yes, it will work.”
And then because he wouldn’t let her pay him, she threw her arms around the older man and hugged him.“Thank you for saving the only life I’ve ever known.”
When she pulled back, he said, “Don’t hesitate to contact me if they bother you again.Iwillbring them up on fraud charges.”
By the time she left the attorney’s office, she felt so much better.She reached for her phone to call Colin and tell him the good news.Then she realized she couldn’t do that—not after the way she’d ended things between them.Her good mood deflated like a balloon with a slow leak.
Chapter Twenty-One
Onetextmessage.
One short two-word sentence.I’m okay.
It’s all Colin heard from Holly that day.Still, it was better than nothing, but he didn’t believe her.And he didn’t know if Roger and Billie Jean were still in town or not.
He had a hard time concentrating at work.At least it gave him something to do, instead of pacing a hole in the floor.He told himself that she was okay or she would have called him, but after her parting words, he wasn’t so sure anymore.
After he saw his last patient, he couldn’t take it any longer.He had to go see her with his own eyes.And he had the perfect excuse.So, he let the staff lock up as he slipped out the back door.
It was already dark out as he drove to Holly’s place.The short days were one of the things that he didn’t like about winter.But the Christmas lights in the shop windows and twinkle lights adorning the houses along the quiet street offset the dreariness of the early darkness.
He pulled up and noticed the soap company was still open.He checked the time.It wasn’t quite five o’clock yet.
He didn’t let the store still being open deter him.He was a man on a mission.A customer exited just as he approached the door.He waited until they passed, and then he stepped inside.He inhaled the layered scents from vanilla and cinnamon to sandalwood and jasmine.The many scents blended together and created a cozy ambience.
He looked around but didn’t spot Holly.There were a couple of other people in the shop, looking around at the many different types of soap.He made his way back to the checkout counter.
Just then Holly stepped out from the back room, carrying a cardboard box.When she saw him standing there, her eyes widened.“Colin, what are you doing here?”
“I thought we should talk.”
She shook her head.“Now isn’t a good time.I have customers.”
“This won’t take long.”
