She walked around, looking it all over. “It looks like it could work. Well, except for that exterior paint color.” She grimaced. “But I assume we’ll get our choice of colors when we place our order. Right?”
“You could order one from the factory. Or you could take this one.”
“Really? I thought all of these were models just for looking.”
“Well, this one has been sitting here for a while. I wouldn’t mind moving it. Especially to an old friend.” He grinned. “Like you.”
“And it could be painted.”
“Of course.”
“I bet Cooper and I could do it ourselves.”
“Cooper?” His brows creased.
“My thirteen-year-old daughter.”
He looked relieved. “Oh, yeah, a thirteen-year-old should be able to paint. Work’s a good way to keep a kid outta trouble too.”He chuckled like he knew a thing or two about raising teens. Although Jewel had her doubts. How much could an absentee father really know about parenting? Cooper’s dad was sure clueless.
She stepped closer to Aaron, her mind fixed back on the house and a possible deal. “So, Aaron, will you give anold frienda good price on this eyesore?”
“Eyesore?” He waved his hand toward the kitchen. “Did you notice the quality of these appliances? No scrimping here.”
She shrugged, trying to maintain her nonchalance. “I’ll admit it looks okay in here, but the exterior...”
“Needs paint.” His smarmy expression reminded her of a used car salesman. “Why don’t we head to my office, and we can talk about it.” He fanned himself with a hand. “It’s pretty toasty in here.” He nodded up to the overhead ceiling fan. “And just so you know, besides those, there’s a heat pump with forced air and AC. Your parents would be comfortable year-round.”
“Good to know. Okay, let me take one more stroll through. I want to take some pics and seriously think about it.” Keeping her poker face on, she took photos of the main room, then headed back to the master suite. She mentally measured the space, imagining the potential to comfortably hold a hospital bed and recliner for Dad, with room left over to maneuver a wheelchair or walker or whatever might be needed. Recently Mom had been talking about how the farmhouse bedrooms were too small and were unable to accommodate what was surely in their future.
She took more pics of the roomy main bathroom, noting that its wide-open shower would be perfect. Mom could use the other two bedrooms and have a full bath all to herself. And it would be so great for them to have everything on one level! It really was ideal. Now if only it fit within her budget. She mentally crossed her fingers as they went back outside. Cringing at the brightness of the exterior—had they used crosswalk paint?—she realized it was actually a happy mistake that could work in her favor.
The heat was beating down on them as they crossed the asphalt back to the building that housed Aaron’s office. As promised, it was much cooler in there, and his young assistant metthem with bottles of chilled water. Jewel tried not to eavesdrop as the pretty girl told Aaron about a difficult customer who’d just called.
“Well, you call Dale right back and tell him this is a limited-time offer,” he said a bit sharply. “And that he’s not the only fish on the line.” Aaron laughed. “Well, don’t use my words, but you know what to do, Alyssa.” He winked at the girl, then grinned at Jewel. “Right this way.” He led her into his private office and seated himself behind an oversized desk in front of a bookcase full of sales catalogues. Aaron suddenly turned all business, throwing dates and numbers and plans at her so quickly, she felt her head spinning. She asked questions and wrote notes on her phone until she fully understood what he was offering.
“This all sounds pretty good,” she admitted. “But to be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed at the moment. I only intended to look today. To get ideas. This is a lot to take in.”
“Of course it is. But you know what they say, Jewel. Strike while the iron’s hot.”
“I never really understood that idiom.”
He laughed. “Well, opportunity is knocking. Don’t be afraid to open the door. I can guarantee you that you won’t find a better deal in the state.”
“Right.” She nodded, wondering if that was really true, or if it was just a sales pitch. All the same, it was tempting. She was eager to get her parents settled and get started on the B&B. But she hadn’t shopped around. “I do appreciate your willingness to get the house in place as soon as possible, but—”
“I sure can’t do this for everyone, Jewel,” he interrupted. “You know, offer a great price and prompt placement. Normally, a customer has to wait a good long while to get exactly what they want. But you’re a special case. You don’t know how glad I am to offer this deal to an old friend. It’s meant to be, but it’s up to you. If you don’t want it, I’m sure I can find someone who does. Now that I’ve decided to move that one, it’ll just be a matter of time. I should’ve got someone in here to paint it last spring. It would have sold in a heartbeat.”
She hated the idea of losing out on the “ugly” yellow house with the great price. “Okay, Aaron, you’re right.” She swallowed hard. “I guess I want it.”
He grinned and shook her hand. He excused himself to get his assistant to print out the sales contract, then came back to his office to make congenial conversation. It was mostly small talk, but the more they visited, the more Jewel grew concerned. Not for agreeing so quickly on this purchase since it really did seem a fair price for everything but because she was worried she gave Aaron the wrong impression ... that she had personal interest in him. Had she been overly warm and friendly? Just to secure a good deal?
“So you really think you’ll be ready for placement as soon as I promised to get you scheduled in?” he asked as she signed the papers. “We do have a gap in the schedule that week. I’d like to fill it.”
“I don’t see why not.” She signed the last line, then dug her checkbook out of her bag. Was she really doing this?
Aaron checked a desk calendar and then looked at his phone. “Well, I can come out tomorrow afternoon to do a quick survey of the land. You know, to make sure you’ve picked the best location. Then I’ll send my surveyor, engineer, and technician to mark things out.”
“Wow, that’s great. Thanks.”
