Page 9 of XOXO, Summer
She’s known my family longer than I’ve been alive. Keeping the property in the Mountain Laurel Family and out of real estate moguls’ hands is essential to preserving the land and our history.
The property is next door to my family and me. Taking care of tenants is easier due to proximity.
It could be my own home one day, continuing the legacy of generations of the Seasons and Lovings growing up here.
I turn onto her private drive and park next to her Cadillac. I take my time, building the gumption to lay out an offer as I trek across the lawn to the front door of the farmhouse. This place would be a dream to raise a family. I can imagine sitting in the rockers on the front porch with a glass of tea when it’s too hot or sipping wine when the sun’s setting. Even with those beautiful images, my heart clenches thinking of Mrs. Dover here all alone.
There’s no sneaking onto this front porch. Boards creak under my feet. Pulling the screen door open, I knock on the solid wood door that needs painting and gently close the other before stepping back to wait.
Mrs. Dover peeks through the sidelight and answers. Her smile is as welcoming as her arms when they wrap around me. “This is such a nice visit.” It’s only been a few weeks, but when I think about her being on this big farm, that’s a lot of time to spend without seeing anyone. “Is it social or business?”
“Both.” I hate to lie, but it’s not like I don’t have the time to chat.
“Let me grab some sweet tea, and we can talk out here on the front porch.” She swooshes me toward the rocking chairs. “Make yourself at home.”
“You don’t have to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble, Summer Season.” The screen door is already closing before the words leave her mouth.
She has never made me feel I can’t come to her, but that doesn’t stop the twinge of guilt rippling through me. This is her income. This could go well or extremely bad. I’m praying for good. I’d hate for her to think poorly of me, like I’m another hawk preying on her, or like I’m trying to take advantage of her. I would never. Fingers crossed she’ll see the benefits of me owning the Cottage Cove property.
Sitting down, I look out where herds of cows used to roam. Now she has Bessie, the lone survivor, to keep her company. I rock back and take in a deep breath. We’re spoiled with fresh air in these parts, but June thickens the air with the heat of summer as well. Or maybe that’s my nerves kicking in. I swipe my palms down the tops of my thighs.
“Here we are.” She sets the glasses on a wicker table between us and sits in the other rocking chair. Taking hold of a glass, she sips and then smiles at me. “What brings you by this Saturday?”
I pick up the other glass, condensation already building and causing drips to land on the cotton of my dress and spread through the woven fabric. “I checked in the summer tenant. His son was busy playing, but I spent a few minutes chatting with him.”
“Is he nice?”
His smile comes to mind, along with that look in his eyes that had me mentally undressing. I swallow harder than I should before taking a quick sip to cool down. Unexpected comes to mind when thinking about Daniel Sutton. “He’s . . . I don’t think there will be any trouble.”
“That’s good.” The boards cry for reprieve under the weight of the chairs while we rock, the distraction causing me to regret the last two sausages I ate. “I have a sense this isn’t about the rental. What’s on your mind, Summer?”
“I’ve heard about the interest on the upper shores.” She sips, not revealing any indication of her thoughts about outsiders coming in to snatch up properties. She’d be the only one not thinking about it or gossiping, more accurately. “They’re making offers.”
“I need to be honest with you, honey,” she starts. I was already unnerved by all the scenarios of the way thisconversation could potentially play out, but now with my heart stalled in my throat, I need to keep breathing. Resting my hand on my chest, I check. “A gentleman from Seattle wants to have a call.”
My throat tightens. I thought I had more time to talk to her, but it seems I’m the one who’s behind. I clear my throat and straighten my spine. “Regarding Cove Cottage?”
“Regarding both properties.”
I set the glass down and angle toward her. “And you’re taking the call?”
Although she had been rocking, she stills, and takes another sip. “I’m old, but I’m no fool.”
“Can I ask a favor?”
“I can’t promise you’ll get the answer you want, but you can ask.”
