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He chuckles. “Five hundred and fifty thousand dollars to be exact.”
Holy cow. I had no idea. I never discussed money with Grandma. I cared more about hearing how she discovered a new apple pie recipe, or how her rose bush was doing, or what mystery book she was reading.
“And she left it to me?”
“She has.”
“Not to some environmental charity?”
“It’s all yours. As soon as the paperwork is filed.”
Grandma was wealthy. How did I never know? Never mind. I’ll think about this later. I have more pressing issues such as cleaning out her house and getting it ready to sell. And kicking out the tenant who’s currently living in the place.
“About the house.” Mr. West is an attorney. Surely, he’ll know how I can get rid of Cash.
“Ah, yes, the house. There’s a stipulation to your inheritance.”
“A stipulation? What kind of stipulation?”
“The house is yours provided you live in it for a year.”
“Live in Grandma’s house?” My brow furrows in confusion. “But I don’t live in Winter Falls. I live in San Diego. My life is there. My job, my apartment, my family. I can’t uproot myself to live in Winter Falls for a year because Grandma says so.”
“Saffron did set aside an allowance for you for living expenses for the year.” He chuckles. “Assuming you don’t want to cash in the stocks and bonds.”
“What am I supposed to do? Be a lady of leisure for a year?” No way. I can’t do nothing for a year. I’ll go crazy.
“You could teach at the local school.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “How do you know I’m a teacher?”
“Saffron was very proud of you.” Of course. He was friends with Grandma. Naturally, she told him what I do for a living.
Before I can apologize for jumping down his throat, he continues, “My wife happens to be the principal of the local school. She also happened to mention she has a vacancy for an elementary school teacher this morning.”
“She happened to mention?”
He shrugs. “I can’t keep secrets from my wife. She knew I was meeting with you this morning.”
“And she knew the stipulations of the will,” I finish.
“Yes.”
“What if I don’t want to stay here? What if I want to go home?”
“The house will be torn down.”
“Torn down?” I clasp my chest. “But it’s the home Grandpa built for her.”
“Not to mention the people of Winter Falls will have an absolute shit fit if a perfectly good home were demolished.”
My eyes widen. I hadn’t thought of the town’s reaction.
“Excuse my language.”
I wave away his apology. I don’t care about his language. I care how Grandma is manipulating me from the grave.
“Can’t I rent the house out for a year and then sell it?”
