Is It Any Wonder (Nantucket Love Story #2) - Courtney Walsh Page 0,118

Louisa said.

“If that’s what the new owner wants to do with it.” He handed the document to Cody.

“Me?”

“She said it was time for you to put down some roots. I guess she thought this would be a good place to do it.”

“I live in government housing,” he said lamely. “I don’t have roots.”

“Now you have a house.” He patted the seat. “And furniture.”

Louisa’s eyes filled with tears. The thought of Cody moving into Maggie’s house was so devastatingly perfect she could hardly contain her joy.

“Of course you can always sell it,” Mr. Holbrook said. “If that’s what you want to do.”

Why did he have to suggest that? Don’t give him ideas!

“Thank you, sir,” Cody said formally. “I’ll think it over.”

“You both have options—wonderful options.” Mr. Holbrook beamed. “Maggie was my favorite client. I always thought if we’d met sooner, we would’ve made a handsome couple.” He grinned.

Their eyebrows alone might’ve kept them from being “handsome,” but the thought of Maggie in love did make Louisa smile. “She would’ve been very happy to hear that.”

“Oh, she heard it plenty,” he said. “I asked her to go out with me every time I saw her. I think she thought I was kidding. Goes to show you should make your true intentions known.” He winked at Louisa again, then looked at Cody. “That’s a bit of free advice for you.”

“Mr. Holbrook,” Louisa said, “how was it that Maggie didn’t seem to know how wealthy she was? I feel like if she knew she had this much money, she would’ve done something with it—something worthy. She talked about opening up a nonprofit to help people—she used to dream of it. But one day she just stopped talking about it.”

“Well, first of all, she wasn’t always this wealthy,” he said. “Maybe that’s why she was so down-to-earth. These investments took time to accrue, and it’s only been in the last few years that we’ve seen this kind of growth.”

“I see,” Louisa said.

“Maggie came in not long after she learned the seriousness of her heart condition. We had a good cry, especially because that’s when she found out how much money she really had.” Mr. Holbrook turned thoughtful. “And this is only some of her fortune. She designated a large sum to charity upon her death as well, and the Ackerman Arts Center will be receiving a healthy donation. But she talked about your two families with so much love.”

Louisa dared a glance at stone-faced Cody Boggs and saw the briefest flicker of emotion skitter across his face.

“She said she wanted to bless you both.”

That sounded like Maggie. If she’d been able to pick them all up in their brokenness and put them back together, she would’ve, but Louisa knew not even Maggie could do that. They had to figure out a way to do it without her.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “All right, folks—” he packed up his papers as he spoke—“always love when I get to tell someone they’re now very rich. I hope you both enjoy these gifts Maggie left for you.” He stood. Louisa showed him to the door. “She was very proud of you. It made her happy when she learned how much money she was able to leave you. She said you’d know just what to do with it.”

Louisa was unable to speak. Maggie had so much faith in her. She’d do everything she could to make the old woman proud.

She closed the door behind him and turned to find Cody awkwardly standing in the entryway.

“I suppose I should leave you my key,” she said dumbly.

“No, it’s fine. Take whatever you want first,” he said.

“Do you think you’ll sell it?”

He shrugged. “I won’t be stationed here forever. Seems kind of silly to keep a house for just me.”

I could move in. I could fix it up and get rid of the old magazines and turn it into a home for the two of us, and we could fill the place with babies and get a dog or two while we’re at it. It’ll be fun. . . . What d’ya say?

“Yeah.”

He looked at her, that intense gaze that told her he was reading past whatever would be obvious to the rest of the world. She begged him to say something to her—something that mattered.

Instead, he slid his own set of house keys into his pocket and looked away. “I should go.”

He started out the door, and she involuntarily reached for his arm. He tightened at her touch, and she wondered