The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,54
me?”
“I wouldn’t count on it. Pay the fine. It’s probably only fifteen bucks, and you can pay online or by phone. What’s all that?” she asked, peering into the backseat at two large boxes.
“Some things that wouldn’t fit in the trunk.”
“Where’s your luggage?”
“In the trunk.”
Puzzled, she shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.” Those suckers must have cost a fortune to bring on the plane. She gave him directions to Diane’s office.
Diane, a little red-haired dynamo with a big smile, arranged for them to see three places, starting with the most distant. The first, a two-bedroom condo on the west side, with a lake view and nice furnishings, Griff said was too far out of town.
The next was in the Hyde Park area, and the furniture was Victorian with crocheted antimacassars. Cass bit back a laugh when Griff looked horrified and said, “Not exactly my style.”
The last one was a two-bedroom corner unit in a downtown high-rise, with a spectacular view of both the capitol and the lake. Its contemporary furnishings were something out of Architectural Digest.
“The owners of this unit,” Diane said, sweeping her hand toward the open living area, “spend several months a year in Canada to be near their grandchildren. They left just three days ago, so the place is available for up to four months. It’s actually a three-bedroom unit, but the smallest bedroom is used to store their personal items. Covered parking downstairs and valet service is included, as is weekly maid service.”
“I’ll take it,” Griff said.
“Don’t you want to see the rest of the condo?”
“Sure, but I’ll take it. When can I move in?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know the price?” Diane asked.
She named a price and Cass flinched. Griff said, “I’ll take it.”
“Fantastic,” Diane said. “Let’s go back to my office and do the paperwork, and I’ll give you the key.”
As they were walking out, Griff put his arm around Cass’s waist. “Don’t you like this place?”
“It’s beautiful. But there used to be a stable and a blacksmith shop on this site. A shame.”
“Cass,” he said gently, “nowadays I don’t think there’s much call for a stable or a blacksmith in downtown Austin.”
She smiled. “You’re right, of course. So I’ll excuse you for living here.”
“Good. I don’t think I could take all those little lace doilies.”
AFTER THE PAPERS WERE signed and the money was paid, they stopped for lunch, then headed to Griff’s new home to drop off his belongings.
“We’ll need the trunk space for groceries later. Not only yours, but mine. I’ll need everything. Did you notice if there was a coffeemaker there?”
“I think so, but we can check when we go by. Griff, you haven’t stopped smiling. What’s up?”
“I’m happy.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Happy to be here, happy to be with you. Happy.”
She smiled. His words were like a soft, cuddly hug, and she reveled in the feeling. She was happy, too.
“Have you heard any more about your inheritance?”
“Nothing yet. Carrie said it might be a while yet.” She’d discussed the entire situation with Griff on the phone, so he was aware of Iris’s letter and her will. “Carrie called Sunny yesterday, and told her she’d spoken to Wes and Nonie about the murder. Frank knows as well, but they all decided to wait and let us tell the others in our own time.”
“Good idea. How did Wes take it?”
“In stride, the way he takes everything. Said after all the years he spent as sheriff, nothing much surprises him. He was pleased about Sunny and me getting Iris’s estate. I believe his exact words were ‘Fair enough.’”
They pulled into the underground parking garage, and Griff spoke to someone at the valet stand for a few minutes. A man soon came out with a dolly and loaded on boxes and some of the luggage. Griff took two large rolling bags and Cass took a smaller one and his laptop case.
“Did you bring everything you own?” she asked.
“Yep, almost. A few things are being shipped later. Most I sold.”
Though blown out of the water by what Griff said, she held her questions until they were upstairs and the helper had been tipped and left.
“I don’t understand,” Cass said. “What did you sell?”
“Just stuff I don’t need anymore. Things which were more trouble and expense to move than they’re worth. My apartment. The furniture. My car.”
“But why?”
His dimples flashed as he put both arms around her waist. “I told you I was considering a move to Austin. Well, now I’ve moved. Want