Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (i am reading a book txt) 📗

of patching water damage in one of the back bedrooms. "I suppose showing it once won't hurt as long as I'm not obligated in any way. Understood?"

"Yes, of course. I'll just need your signature on a form concerning my commission, just in case there is a sale." Leland sighed in relief.

"Well, it's just a formality," he said, but when she glared at him he tucked the papers back in his bright sports coat. Trailing behind her as she got up he smiled. "I'll call before we come."

"Fine." Maddy opened the door, eager for him to go. But now that he had basically what he wanted he wasn't in any hurry to leave. He acted as cheerful as his sunny yellow coat.

"You say you haven't done the attic yet?"

Maddy nodded and absently rubbed her tired eyes.

"I don't know. Mostly furniture from the quick look I took. The light doesn't work so Alec is coming Saturday to check it."

Maddy leaned against the door in relief when he left, wondering if she had done the right thing in allowing him to show the house, even once. She had a feeling she should have said no, but the die was cast.

***

"I don't know, Maddy, I don't trust him." Aunt Polly said as she chewed thoughtfully on the steak and salad Maddy fixed for supper that night. Alec needed a rain check since he had to work but said he'd stop by later. After her little session with Leland, Maddy needed someone to talk to.

"I know you don't trust him. After today, I don't think I trust him either, but I don't know why. I thought I'd better see if anyone would be interested in a serious offer on the house, just in case. Cash sales are pretty rare."

Sitting in the cozy kitchen Maddy felt warm and secure as the rays of the setting sun cast a golden glow over the whole back yard. Food tasted better, she slept sounder and got up feeling excited about each new day since arriving in Nielsen. On her best day in Chicago she had never felt like this.

She kept putting off buying another cell phone, relying on the landline. Marie's phone call plagued her. It sounded as if Larry was trying to find out what was going on through her friend.

"You know, Aunt Polly, this trip has been healing for me. Things that had been in the background and puzzling, now are making sense. I've wondered so much about why things were the way they were with my family, now I'm beginning to understand a little."

"You look like you got the weight of the world on your shoulders, honey."

"I feel like it sometimes. In Chicago, it all seemed to run together, work, home, sleep, eat, and work again. I mean, look at that sunset. I've never taken the time to really see a sunset like that before, it's breathtaking." Maddy stood at the chipped porcelain sink and nodded outside. The purple and pink sky with white slashes of clouds broke through the last rays of the sun.

Aunt Polly had tied one of Aunt Madeline's aprons around her ample waist to protect her cotton housedress while finishing up the dishes.

"I know. I never get tired of the view anywhere around here, either." Folding the damp towel, she hung it on a towel rack and wandered outside with Maddy. They walked among the overgrown garden that bloomed brightly despite the weeds.

"Look, there's hollyhock back there. You say Tommy is coming over to do the lawn tomorrow?" Aunt Polly slapped at a mosquito and frowned at Maddy's bare feet. "You're going to step on something, young lady. Better get shoes on those feet." Her gentle reproach was music to Maddy's ears, someone cared again. She slipped an arm around her friend as they followed the stone steps to the adjoining gate.

"I'm going right back inside when you leave."

"Well, I'm leaving now. I'm beat. Since Alec is coming over tomorrow, I'm sleeping in. If you guys need anything just call." Aunt Polly yawned and opened the white picket gate.

"Aunt Polly?" The old woman paused, looking over her shoulder, pulling her favorite crocheted shawl around her.

"I think I've made up my mind to stay, not sell. I still have to figure out if I can afford it, but this..." she swung her arm wide to include the house and yard and sunset, "this is what living should be like. I really do love it here." Maddy swallowed a lump in her throat. Saying it out loud was emotional.

"Shoot. If one good sunset was all it took, I wish I'd drug you out in the yard before. But, you have to listen to your heart and decide in your own good time. Good night, my dear. Lock up tight and sleep well."

Maddy nodded and waved, retreating on the cool stones up to her own back door, she went in and pulled the portable TV out and picked up the daily paper. The routine made her feel like an honest-to-goodness citizen of Nielsen. Even the local newscaster was beginning to look and sound familiar.

She slept well most of the night. Dreams faded in and out of her memory, scary things, unknown and lost things she couldn't understand. As she hugged her pillow after waking up breathless from something that frightened her, Maddy could hardly wait to tell Alec about her decision.

That thought intimidated her a little too, more than the bad dreams. He was a big part of the decision, whether she wanted to admit it or not. What if it, they, didn't work out? What was it that she was worried about? Loving him, she guessed. Did she? There was always that matter of trust.

Chapter 9

Saturday mornings in Chicago Maddy usually slept-in. But this glorious morning she woke up instantly, showered and anticipated Alec's arrival. She slipped on jean shorts and a cheery, red-checked gingham blouse she felt would be cool and just right for cleaning