“The world lost a treasure when Frank passed.” Cora’s soft words bespoke a deep fondness of Frank. “Sunday afternoon dinners and holidays almost always included him, and if he wasn’t there, it wasn’t for lack of an invitation.”
“I should have reached out to him more often.” He pinched his lips, feeling the weight of what he’d lost. “Honestly, I’m not even sure why he left me his house and the property on Main Street.”
“One thing I know for sure about Frank is that he had a reason, even if you never find out this side of Heaven.”
“What else can you tell me about him?” He crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward in eager anticipation. “What were his hobbies? What made him tick?”
Cora laughed, a pleasant melody to his ears. “Frank was a character. He hated bugs and would walk ten feet out of the way to avoid a spider, but the idea of killing one was unfathomable. He hated injustice, wouldn’t tolerate rudeness or disrespect, and had a sweet tooth, especially when it came to jelly donuts.”
“Mom’s side of the family loves all animals, big and small. We adopted countless strays growing up, and whenever we had mice in the house, Mom insisted Dad use traps that kept them alive.”
“That was Frank.” Cora stared off for a second and chuckled before bringing her gaze back to him. “He found an injured baby squirrel while out shooting photos one Sunday morning and ran late for church. Wouldn’t you know he brought that thing right into the service and flagged the vet down immediately after the closing hymn.”
“Did the squirrel make it?”
“Yes. Frank nursed him back to health according to the vet’s instructions, then set him free.”
Her earlier statement clicked. “When you said he was out shooting photos, did he do that often?”
She bobbed her head eagerly. “He always loved photography, but after he closed his insurance business, he really delved into it. If you stop at City Hall, you’ll see several of his prints on display.”
“Wow. I’d love that.” He sipped his coffee, contemplating this tidbit of information. “My dream has always been to open a photography studio.”
“Did he know that?”
His shoulders sagged under feelings of unworthiness. “I don’t know. Mom could have told him, or I might have mentioned it in passing. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t keep up with him much the last few years.”
The featherlight touch of her hand on his took him by surprise. She seemed to realize what she’d done and jerked it away. “Don’t be hard on yourself. Frank loved his family and understood dynamics changed when miles separated. He knew all of you loved him even if you didn’t talk often.”
“I wonder if he did know my dream, and that’s why he left me the inheritance.”
“If I were a betting woman, I would wager he did.” A mixture of emotions flickered across her eyes. “You can honor him best by following through with that dream and making it come true.”
He hated to bring up the obvious and ruin their camaraderie, but they were here to discuss the predicament. “My studio will go where your store is now.”
She blinked several times and swallowed. “Frank gave me a precious gift by allowing me to lease that building for so long at an incredible rate. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
“You have until February. I won’t make you leave earlier.” His chest tightened, none of this sitting well with him. “I honestly didn’t know anyone rented the building. There was an oversight with the papers.”
“I understand.”
Her calm acceptance rattled him. “I wouldn’t have made plans had I known, but I uprooted my life and gave up my job. I’m sorry.”
“No apologies are needed.” Resignation hoarsened her voice. “You have every right to take possession of the building.”
This would be much easier if she got an ugly attitude with him or cursed him out. Her kindness made it ten times more difficult. “Regardless, I wish the circumstances were different.”
Her lips quivered. “Me too, but we can’t often help what life hands us. We have to accept it and move on.”
“Will…will your store be okay if you have to move elsewhere?”
“I can’t afford another prime location on Main Street, but I’ll survive.”Somehow, seemed to be added to her statement, but only in her eyes.
“Maybe we can figure out a compromise,” he found himself offering.
She shook her head. “I couldn’t ask that of you.”
“You didn’t.”
