Daniella sighed. “At least they’ve told us what they’re doing. If the person who owns my house doesn’t sell it quickly, it might still work out.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. “That brings me to the second reason why I’m calling.”
Daniella didn’t like the tone of Ellen’s voice. “That doesn’t sound promising.”
“It isn’t. I’m sorry to tell you that the house you’re living in has been sold. You have four weeks to leave the property before the new owner moves in.”
“Four weeks?” Daniella’s voice was a mix of shock and desperation. “But I wasn’t expecting to move so soon.”
Jackie reached out, placing a hand over Daniella’s, a silent gesture of support.
Daniella closed her eyes as each detail unfolded. “But the house wasn’t on the market. How did it sell so quickly?”
“A private buyer must have heard the house was going on the market. They bought it without seeing it.”
Daniella had no idea why anyone would do that, especially when the house was at the top of most people’s budget. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll call you later to find out what I need to do before I leave.”
“I’m really sorry,” Ellen said sincerely. “I’ll do my best to find another house for you.”
At the end of the conversation, Daniella left the phone on the table and sighed. “They sold the house I’m renting,” she explained, her voice hollow. “I have to find a new place in less than a month.”
“Oh, Daniella. I’m so sorry. That’s the last thing you need.”
Daniella nodded, her gaze distant. “It feels like the ground’s shifting beneath me. First, Dad has a heart attack, then Harrison leaves, and now this.” She let out a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. “I need somewhere to live but there’s nothing available. What am I going to do?”
Jackie squeezed her hand tighter. “We’ll figure this out,” she said firmly. “You’re not alone, okay? I’ll help you.”
Daniella managed a small smile, grateful for Jackie’s friendship. “Thank you. But we can’t conjure a house out of thin air.”
“We’ll have to be more creative in where we look,” Jackie told her. “And I might know where to start.”
Daniella checked the time. “We both have to get back to work. Can you meet me at my place at six o’clock? I could make us dinner, and then we could hunt for something.”
“That sounds like a great plan. If I get a few minutes this afternoon, I’ll write down some places you might not have thought of for finding a house. As soon as I can, I’ll email them through to you.”
Daniella hugged Jackie. “What would I do without you?”
“Drown your sorrow in gallons of ice cream?” Jackie teased.
Daniella smiled. “That still might happen. Especially if Mabel has some triple caramel chunk ice cream left in the general store.”
Jackie laughed. “I’m definitely coming over tonight, then. It’s my duty to save you from the perils of eating too much ice cream.”
Daniella picked up her laptop and sighed. She’d get through the afternoon events, then look on the community Facebook page again. Someone must know of a house that was available to rent.
CHAPTER21
Harrison’s return to Sapphire Bay was as low-key as his departure. He’d driven from Kalispell airport and straight back into the small-town life he’d abruptly left behind.
He followed the familiar route to Daniella’s house. He’d only been gone for a week, but he missed everything about her.
As he parked in the driveway, his heart sank. It didn’t look as though she was home. She enjoyed waking up early, throwing open the windows and doors, and letting the fresh air in. But everything was closed. Just in case she was doing something in the backyard, he got out of his truck and rang the doorbell.
When she didn’t answer, he checked his watch. It was only eight o’clock, but she could have gone into The Fairy Forest early, hoping to catch up on some paperwork.
He called her cell phone, but she wasn’t answering. Where could she be? Hopefully, her dad hadn’t had another heart attack or something worse. He returned to his truck and drove to her parents’ home, hoping everyone was okay.
Daniella’s father, George, was outside, crouched over a flower bed, his fingers buried in the dark soil. Harrison called out to him, and George straightened, a look of mild surprise crossing his tired face.
