My gaze slid over to the living room, and I propped the mop against the wall. I could probably take some of Ida’s. A U-Haul couldn’t cost more than new, even cheap, furniture. Not that I’d ever rented one to know for sure, and driving the thing through Atlanta traffic would be a challenge. Still, depending on how big of an apartment I could find, I might even be able to take the couch and coffee table. The photos on the mantel drew me, and I stared at them one by one, but no new information jumped out at me.
How did Ida expect me to decode clues to my family’s past when I knew so little about them? I could guess who some of these people were, but that didn’t tell me anything about my parents, what had happened to them, and why they’d given me up. So far, Ida had given me information too many generations back to soothe the burning in my chest.
Sighing, I returned to the mop so I could keep myself busy. After mopping, I checked the tarp to make sure it was still secure, and I opened the last few windows on the bottom floor to circulate a breeze. Critters probably wouldn’t scamper inside in broad daylight.
I hoped.
Ryan had given me the direct number to the sheriff’s office in case something more nefarious than vermin slipped inside. I rinsed out the mop and put my hands on my hips as I surveyed the kitchen. Over the past day and a half, I had cleaned every surface, dusted every nook and cranny, and polished every stick of furniture to a shine.
Now what?
The library. How long had it been since I’d sat down and enjoyed a book? A new goal in mind, I rinsed out the mop and headed into the small room filled with decades worth of Ida’s books. A little while later, I’d showered, made myself a glass of sweet tea, and selected a historical romance from Ida’s collection. I preferred something less sappy, but Ida had very specific tastes.
Stepping out onto the front porch, I nudged the front door closed with my toe and made myself a reading nest on the swing—complete with freshly dusted cushions and a side table stocked with my tea and one of Nancy’s peanut butter cookies. The swing moved silently as I pushed my feet against the porch. While still hot, a nice breeze skipped over the lawn and caressed my damp hair. I sank deeper into the cushions, leaned my head back, and closed my eyes.
When was the last time I’d been this relaxed? I tried to think back but couldn’t remember. Since I was eighteen, I’d worked nearly every waking hour to make ends meet. I barely scraped out of high school with my diploma, and if it hadn’t been for the kindly elderly couple who’d rented me a little room over their garage—and let me work off part of the rent by doing yard work—I probably would have ended up on the street.
After graduation, I’d been able to get better jobs but never really had enough to survive in the expensive city where my parents had abandoned me. Until I’d landed a waitressing job at Derick’s swanky restaurant. With the stellar tips, I’d finally started to get ahead. Then I’d started dating Derick.
The thought of that slimeball tightened my stomach, so I purposely pushed the thought of him away. He’d ruined enough in Atlanta. I refused to let him ruin my peaceful moment here.
The breeze carried the scent of Ida’s flowers, and birds called to one another in the swaying trees. I breathed deeply.
“Don’t you look comfortable.”
Mira Ann’s voice snapped me from my contemplations. I jumped up, sending the swing flying behind me. It crashed forward into the table and knocked over the glass of tea. Liquid splashed over Ida’s book. I yelped. Scooping the book up from the pooling liquid, I tried to fling away the moisture. Tossing the romance on the swing, I righted the little table, and turned to face my visitor.
She smiled brightly at me. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Dressed in pink slacks and a white silk blouse, Mira Ann looked as unbothered by the heat as a sunning alligator. I ran a hand over my damp hair. “Hey. Sorry.” I gestured toward the swing. “Want to have a seat?”
Mira Ann took the last step onto the porch. “I won’t take long. I’ve come to buy Ida’s house.”
Uh, excuse me? “What?”
“I’ve been thinking, and I’ve decided this place would make a lovely bed and breakfast.”
She’d said the exact same thing that day we went to lunch. “Uh, yeah. We talked about that, remember?”
Her smile faltered. “We did?”
“At lunch. You said it would make a good B&B and would do well on Airbnb. Ryan said he didn’t think anyone would come to Maryville.”
At the mention of his name, her eyes darted to the house next door. “Yes, well, I said the place would be a good investment for someone. Now I’ve decided that someone should be me. I can give you a good price, and you won’t even have to go through the trouble of listing it.”
Tempting. Maybe. It would save a bunch of real estate agent fees. “But it’s still in probate.”
“I’m sure that’ll be cleared up soon.” She waived an airy hand and pulled something from the designer purse gracefully draped over her arm. “Say you’ll at least consider my offer?” She waved an envelope at me.
When I stuffed it in my back pocket, Mira Ann frowned, obviously wanting me to make a decision immediately.
“With all the expenses and repairs”—her gaze roamed over the yard—“I figured you’d want an easy solution to all your problems.”
An easy solution would be great. I wasn’t sure if selling would be the right answer, though, even if it was the easiest. But I might not have much of a choice. “You’d take over the repairs?”
“Sure!” She flashed me a bright smile. “I’ll buy it as-is, and you can head back to your life without having to deal with all of this mess.”
All of this mess included Ida’s stories, my family history, no apartment back in Atlanta, and no job until school started in August. Even if she bought the house, I couldn’t go anywhere. At least, not anytime soon. “I’ll think about your offer. But I can’t do anything until it’s legally mine.”
A crease formed between her eyebrows. “Of course.” She tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’ll leave you to your”—she sniffed toward the swing—“your lounging. Have a good day.”
I watched her sashay down the steps, slip into her massive SUV, and pull out of the driveway. Once she was out of sight, I pulled the paper from my pocket and read the offer. Holy cow. I didn’t know much about houses, but that seemed like a pretty good price to me. Enough to make a fresh start in Atlanta.
Boots fell on the stairs, followed by Ryan’s rich voice. “Whatcha got there?”
I stuffed the paper back in my pocket. “Mira Ann wants to buy Ida’s house. She came by with an offer.” I glanced toward the end of the road. “You just missed her.”
He nodded, a strange look on his face. The corner of his mouth hitched up, though there was something almost sad about the expression. He held out a manila envelope. “Interesting timing. I’ve got something for you, too.” His mouth twisted to one side. “How about we finish what Ida left before you worry about what Mira Ann brought?”
Taking the letter, I held his gaze. “I didn’t learn anything from the last letter. I’m hoping this one gives me something more.”