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“Are you going to ask her to buy the house? She doesn’t have any money to do that. Not without my help.”
“That’s between Joey and us. Your help will not be required. You will be free and clear of the financial responsibility. Which means you have no say in what she does or how she runs the business.”
“And you will?”
“Only if she asks for it.”
“You’re trying to come between me and my daughter.”
“No, we’re not. Your relationship with Joey and Finn is in your hands. You’ve got a lot to make up for. Letting go of the property and your financial hold over her would be a good first step.”
Freddy leaned on the counter and dropped his head for several moments, then looked up at Jake and Jacob. “I can meet you tomorrow morning before I open.”
“We’ll be at Sam Stevenson’s office at eleven. He’s the family lawyer. He’ll take care of the paperwork.”
“Eleven it is.”
Forty-eight hours later, the old Bradford property belonged to the O’Connells and J.T. had a copy of the deed for the house and fifty acres in Joey’s name. It would be filed with the county and be official in thirty days. He drove to her house without calling, to surprise her with it. He also brought a couple of things from the grocery store.
When she opened the door, he handed her the deed, then held up a loaf of bread.
“The house is officially yours. Or will be in thirty days. So here is a loaf of bread,that this housemay never know hunger.” He handed her the bread, and he held up a bag of salt. “Salt that life may always have flavor.” She took the salt, and he showed herthe last item, which was a bottle of red wine. “And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever.”
Joey hugged him. “How did this happen so fast?”
“My dad and granddad know how to make things happen.”
“And my dad is completely paid off?”
“Yeah. It’s all yours. At least fifty acres of it.”
She started crying. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“It wasn’t just me. It was the family. Are you going to let me in, or what?”
“Of course.” She stepped out of his way and he came inside and closed the door behind him. “It’s all yours, Joey.”
Finn ran into the room and hugged J.T., then looked at Joey. “Why are you crying, Mom?”
“I’m just really happy.”
He hugged her. “Good. I like when you’re happy.” He looked at J.T. “Did you come to take me for a ride on a horse?”
“No. I’m sorry. But the camp out is in a few days now.”
“Yippee!” He jumped up and down, then ran off to the bedroom.
Joey looked at J.T. “I think he’s pretty excited about the camp out.”
“Seems like it.”
“Are you?”
“Sure. Sage is going to need a little extra help. Lydia is sick and won’t be going on the trip. Which leaves Sage in charge.”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah. She’s stressing out about it a little, but she’ll be fine. She has four counselors coming. Plus, you and I are experienced riders. And I guess Xander is semi-experienced.”
