I watched as Carol’s frosty exterior melted.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. Honestly, I would love to sell the place and rest these old bones.”
The firm’s offer would be more than enough for the dream she wanted. “Then why don’t you?”
Carol looked around the kitchen, to the pictures all over thewall and scuffs and dings around her. “John loved this house and this town. I know what the place is worth. If it was all fixed up, it could be a nice resort. With the grounds and hot springs and all . . .” She paused and closed her eyes. “If I sell, some outsider is going to come in, change it all up, and make it all nice and fancy, which part of me wants . . . but then the people that live here, that work here, the ones that have their weddings on the lawn, their church BBQs, and then there are the boys.” She shook her head, reaffirming her decision. “They wouldn’t even have the money to use the place. They would have jobs here but not be able to use it with their families on their special days. I won’t sell it because they need it. And John wouldn’t want that, and neither would I. This summer Letty’s daughter had her wedding here. I know they couldn’t afford any of the venues nearby. It’s important.”
She was right. Everything would change. It would change her life. It would employ the town, but this would no longer be a community place. It would be a resort for visitors, not the locals. Unless . . .
“I wonder if, when you choose to sell, you could put certain stipulations in place? Maybe a certain percentage of the property has to be set aside for town use?”
She rolled her eyes. “I tried that once. They wouldn’t even take me seriously. Plus, how can I trust them?”
True. “Right, but I'm a lawyer too. Maybe I could help you?” I wasn’t sure how this would work since I was supposed to be getting it for Raymond & Johnson Law.
She angled her head to the side. “Do you think they would honor it though?”
I tipped my head back and forth. “It would depend on if they had to.” And what I wanted for my future. I felt a pull at my conscience. I couldn’t represent them both. I technically wasn’t a part of their firm yet, and never would be until after the sale of Carol’s property. A bit of a gray area, but I think I could make it work. Had she given up having Marissa run it?
“I’ll think about it. If you promise to help me and make sure the town is taken care of, I’ll consider it. Or maybe someone from the town would be interested?”
Would someone from town want it? Did Marissa want it? I doubted anyone could offer Carol what it was worth. “Perfect. Let’s talk about it tonight after work.” I stood and took my dish to the sink. This would be an awesome update to give Clyde Johnson to show the progress I was making, yet odd that I didn’t want them to know yet that Carol was thinking about selling. This was the most progress I’d made in a long time. I decided I would wait to email him until I knew what Carol wanted.
I was early to the office and didn’t know where to focus my building energy. I paced as I waited for Marissa to show up and was annoying even myself. I felt pulled in so many directions. Pulled to help Carol sell and get what she needed to retire and live the life she wanted. Pulled in the opposite direction to have the life I wanted. Pulled to the town’s sense of community, and the boys need for good mentorship. Pulled toward Marissa and that kiss.
How would she act now, after the kiss? Would she push me away or let me in?
The front door ding and I wiped my hands on my suit pants. Stepping into the foyer, I watched as Marissa hung up her coat. I leaned up against the door frame, folding my arms tight and trying my best to imitate my brother Michael and his persona. How did he tilt his jaw? Right. Confidence. I took a deep breath as my arm brushed the fake plant outside the door, sending years of dust into the air and right into my throat. I felt a tickle in my nose and my eyes watered. There was a cough deep in my throat. I held it, pushing it down. Unfortunately, that made it so much worse. My chest seized, and I bent over coughing, trying to get air into my lungs.
I felt Marissa rush over and slap me on my back. “Scott, are you okay?”
I nodded but continued to cough. Oh sure, Marissa looked at me now.
She rushed over to the water dispenser and filled a cup.
Downing the water Marissa handed me seemed to help.
“Thanks.” I smiled at her, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
Nailed it. Ugh.
“No problem.” She wiped a tear from my cheek. “Are you feeling better?”
“Much.” I realized I was feeling better, and more than just my lungs. My nervous energy from before had settled with Marissa this close. “Will you go out with me tonight?” I reached up and felt the soft ends of her hair in my fingers.
“Like as a date?” She bit her bottom lip, and I suppressed the urge to lean down and kiss her.
“I don’t care what we call it. We can work on your London plan.” I stared at her lips again. “I just want to spend time with you.”
The front doorbell dinged.
“Elliot, where are you?”
My eyebrows rose. “I think that is the first time someone has come in here looking for me.” Something like pride grew in my chest as I looked at a woman with a scowl, holding a scary-looking cat in her arms.
“Morning, Ashley.” Marissa stepped up to my side.
“There you are.” Ashley angled her nose at me. “Will you be a pie judge at county weigh-in day?” She reached up her hand and brushed my arm.
