what I do. I know how to list and show a property so that it moves, and I know how to find buyers to match even the most challenging of properties. And I do it with integrity by creating trust between me and my clients.”
“Integrity?” he asked, staring back at her. “Is that right? Is that why On Pointe Realty has been trying to poach my clients for the past ten years?”
Grace knew she’d need an answer for this question. Years ago, Bill and Kevin had gotten into it over a difficult whale of a client who’d fired Kevin and hired Bill. In the end, Grace had been the one to find him his perfect vacation home. Ever since, there’d been bad blood between the two of them with both of them trying to woo each other’s clients. “I dealt with the contracts at On Pointe, Mr. Landers. Trust me when I say I have never knowingly signed a client when they were still under contract with another Realtor. Besides, that’s not my style. After you work with me for a few weeks, you’ll see exactly who had the integrity over at On Pointe.”
Landers didn’t say a word as he continued to eye her. Then suddenly he threw his head back and laughed.
Grace waited him out, wondering what she’d said that had him so amused.
After taking a long swig of his coffee, Kevin opened a side drawer and pulled out a folder. He set it in front of him and said, “I like how you called out your ex without actually spelling out what a douche he is. And because of that, I’m willing to give you a trial run.”
“Really?” Excitement mixed with relief washed over Grace. “Thank you. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“I hope not.” He passed her the folder. “Here are three properties that have proven to be tough sales. If you can move at least one of them in the next three months, I’ll consider hiring you full time. If you move all three, the job is yours, no questions asked.”
Grace knew the real estate market in the small coastal town of Premonition Pointe had been fairly robust. If a property hadn’t moved, it was likely either overpriced or needed a lot of work.
No matter. Either way, she had confidence that she could convince the sellers to make the changes that would make them marketable. Before she even took a look at the properties in the folder, she said, “Sounds fair enough. I assume you’re fine with me picking up new clients while I work on them?”
“As long as they’re sold under the Landers Realty umbrella, then that’s perfectly fine with me,” he said, sitting back in his chair once more, looking way too self-satisfied. “See Nina about the agency agreement. Once it’s filled out, feel free to get to work. I’m certain Mr. Saint will want a meeting as soon as possible.”
“Good.” She grabbed the folder and started to stride toward the door. But as soon as Mr. Saint registered in her mind, she froze and then groaned. “Mr. Saint?”
“Yes. He owns all three properties.” His lips were curved into a nasty little smirk, telegraphing the fact that he fully expected her to fail.
And why wouldn’t he? Mr. Saint owned three large homes that had been on and off the market for three years.
They were haunted.
Chapter Three
Instead of heading to her car, Grace made a beeline for the independently owned café a few doors down from the real estate office. She’d been too nervous to really eat much before the interview, and suddenly she desperately needed a slice of coffee cake and a latte.
After chatting with the owner, Vanessa, while she waited for her order, she took a seat near one of the windows. There was a peek of the ocean off in the distance, and just the blueness of the Pacific calmed her. There was something about the water that soothed her soul, and that was why she hadn’t been able to comprehend living or working anywhere else.
Grace took a long sip of her latte and opened the file Kevin had given her. After a quick scan of the details, she frowned. The Saint residences were the worst possible listings for any agent, much less one who had something to prove. Moving haunted property was tricky at best, but these three had everything stacked against them already. They were all overpriced and had been on the market for far too long for her to