Several of the women sucked in breaths of surprise through their mouths.
“It’s your son’s land,” Jolene said.“That’s how the rules work.”
Keturah nodded.“I was good friends with Libby right until she passed.And I know for a fact that Arthur’s parents—who owned the land first, but died rather young—did offer Millicent half.They would divide the land between their two children—who did not get along—and Millicent said she wanted nothing to do with it.Arthur bought her half.”
“So, there’s no way she or her son can claim the land when Arthur paid for it fair and square,” Kitty added.
Something wasn’t sitting right with me though.This all seemed too “cut and dried,”as they said in English.“How could I find a record of this transaction?”I asked.“To give to the lawyers?”
They glanced around the round table at each other.
“Not sure there was,” Gertie finally said.“Besides a bank statement or something.”
And there it was.No record, no proof.Our evidence was nothing more than the words and memories of several rather old women who—while lovely—may not completely remember things as they happened.
Hattie’s bony hand landed on my arm.“That woman and her son cannot come to the island.I don’t know her son, but she was …” Her head shook, but I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or perhaps early Parkinson’s.“She was so unkind.A mean girl, I think they call them now.But back then, we just called her a menace.A brat.”She bunched her weathered face tight and her nostrils flared.“Broke my son’s heart with her games.”
“Whatever you need from us, Tom, just say the word,” Sunflower said, she turned to Sakura, the librarian.“Would there be any records in the library?”
Sakura lifted one shoulder.“I can certainly take a look.”Her dark-brown gaze met mine.“There would have to be a record somewhere regarding the transfer of ownership from Millicent to Arthur.And if you hire some lawyers, I’m sure they’ll know where to find them.”
“Millicent probably burned hers,” Keturah said before coughing a few times then sipping her tea.“You’d have to find Arthur’s copies.”
“You’re staying in their old farmhouse, right?”Sunflower asked.
“Si.Though, I have made several upgrades.It sat vacant for a while, and there was mold.The interior is almost all new except for the original brick fireplace and chimney.”
“Arthur and Libby would be proud to see what their home and land have become.All the good it’s doing,” Keturah added.“Libby was such an animal lover, she was.So was Erin.”
“Si,” I agreed.
“We’ll do whatever we can to help you, Tom,” Jolene piped up, and if I wasn’t mistaken, I could swear I saw a glimpse of apology or remorse in her eyes.“We’ll get the word out.”
A few of the other women snorted.Probably because it was hilarious that the Island Mouth was going to “get the word out”.Of course she would.
“Grazie mille,” I said, resting my hand atop Hattie’s where it still gripped my arm.“That is why I wanted Bonn Remmen’s land.In case Vincent and Millicent have a case.”
Several heads bobbed in understanding.“We won’t let that happen,” Kitty said.
With emotion thick and heavy in my throat, but also a new sense of hope making my chest just a little less tight, I thanked them all again and said I would be in touch.Then Danica and I left the bakery via the stone path from the patio, rather than back through the building.
We reached the truck, and she climbed inside, grinning at me across the cab when I slid in behind the steering wheel.“You survived.”
“Because of you,bella.”
“I think you’re pretty competent and capable on your own,Signore Barone.”She buckled her belt and then bounced in her seat.“Where to now?I’ve got a sugar buzz going on.I could paint a fence and shingle a roof with this energy.”
I needed to get home.This was a lot of people and a lot of conversation for me for one day, particularly since last night had been similar.Would she be disappointed if I suggested home?
“Mouse has missed you,” I said, reversing out of the parking stall.
“Well, then we can’t disappoint Miss Mouse, can we?Andiamo!”Then she pointed forward and grinned at me.
My smile hurt my face, and I put the truck into drive and crept across the parking lot to the main road.“Are you using Duolingo to learn Italian?”
“No.”She continued to grin at me.“But I might have Googled a few words to try to impress you.”
“Yeah?What other words?”
