AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re saying you’d pay double what this house is worth?” Raphael asked.
“Yes. That’s how badly I want it.”
“Raphael.” Crystal placed her hand on his arm. “Do you remember what Shaun Kind said?”
I narrowed my eyes when I heard my brother’s name. “Shaun Kind?” I asked.
“He lives down the beach. Super nice guy. He told us to call him if we ever wanted to sell, and he’d buy the house from us.”
“Why?” I asked.
“He’s buying up all the properties here. Starting with that house on the other side of my empty lot is what they call Kind Beach. The entire family lives on that stretch.”
Shit. I was competing with my brother. I needed to step up my game. So, I sat and forced the tears to come.
“Oh, honey. What’s wrong?” Crystal reached over and placed her hand on mine.
“It’s just this house is perfect, and I know it would make my mother so happy to know that I found something like my childhood home—a home she treasured and loved so much. I have her ashes in a beautiful urn that would look perfect sitting on the mantel of your beautiful fireplace.” Tears streamed down my face.
“Oh, dear.” Crystal got up, grabbed a tissue, and handed it to me.
“You know, Crystal. I don’t think Shaun would buy this place for what Claire offered us. Besides, being here would make her happy. With the money, we could afford to get our ranch, and we wouldn’t have to worry about stairs again.”
“You’re right, Raphael. I think the universe sent her to us. She can have the home of her dreams, and we could buy the home we’ve wanted for a long time.”
“But if you made a promise to Shaun Kind.” I wiped the tears from my eyes.
“We didn’t make any promises to him. Claire, if you want our home, it’s yours.”
“Are you sure, Raphael?”
“Yes. Get your appraiser here as soon as possible so we can move this along. We’ll start looking for a new home first thing tomorrow.” Raphael smiled.
We all stood from our chairs. I hugged them both, thanked them, and we exchanged phone numbers.
“I’ll be in touch. Thank you again. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“You’re welcome, little lady. You’ve made us very happy.” Raphael grinned.
I walked to my car with a smile. Climbing inside, I dialed Richard.
“How are you, Claire?”
“I’m good, Richard. Do you have any home appraiser contacts in Los Angeles?”
“I do. What do you need one for?”
“I just bought a house.” I rattled off the address.
“You’re kidding, right?” he asked.
“No. I’m serious, Richard. It needs a lot of work. I’m talking, totally gutted, and I know just the company that can help me with that.”
“Claire, you have to tell the family who you are.”
“I will when the time is right. I have to go, Richard. Send me your contact’s number.”
Before heading home, I stopped at a small boutique in Santa Monica that I’d noticed when I first arrived, down the street from the Kind Brewhouse. A cute dress in the window caught my eye, and I wanted to look at it.
