Page 123 of Loving Kai

“Maggie sent you?”

“Um…no. She doesn’t know I’m here.”

“So, you just used her name to get past Alice?” He was sitting in a worn chair, and he adjusted the blanket on his lap.

“No. Well…yes. But…” He sighed. “I’m here because of Maggie. She’s my girlfriend.”

“I see.” He studied Abe for a moment. “You’re one of the Buchanan boys.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Which one?”

“Abe.”

“Right in the middle.”

“Yeah.”

“You look like your father.”

“Um…thank you.”

“So, why are you here?”

Abe stood and walked to the window. There wasn’t much of a view. Just a small grassy area with a patio and several chairs, two of which were currently occupied. He turned back to Mr. Mayhew. “Maggie wants to buy your property.”

“Yes, I know. I’m saving it for her. But…well, time isn’t on my side.”

“If you’d allow it. I’d like to buy it for her.”

He cocked his head. “You want to buy my place for Maggie?”

“Yes, sir. It’s a dream for her and…well, like you said…time is…” He sat back down.

“How do I know you’re not trying to buy the place for yourself?”

“We can put her name on the paperwork. I’ll sign whatever you want to prove it. I’m not trying to trick you, sir.”

“Do you know how much I want for it?”

“No. But I’m sure it’s a fair price. I know you wouldn’t try to scam Maggie.”

“And you’re financially able to buy the place?”

“Yes, sir. I own Rocco’s Pizza with my brother. We’ve done quite well, and I don’t really spend much money.” He shrugged. “Except on racing motorcycles. It’s my one vice. But I have a son now, so I’m not doing much racing. Um…yeah. I can buy the place.”

Mr. Mayhew reached into a cupboard in the table next to his chair. “Fetch yourself a cup, son.” He set a bottle of bourbon on the table.

Abe stood and took a cup from next to the sink.

Mr. Mayhew waved him to the chair. “One good thing about living as long as I have is that people tend to look the other way from time to time.” He poured a healthy shot into his cup, then another into Abe’s. “Are you planning to live in the place with Maggie?”

“Yes, sir.”

He held up his cup. “To the new owners of Paradise Hill.”

“Paradise Hill, sir?”