My Deadly Valentine - By Valerie Hansen & Lynette Eason Page 0,42
and had just about given up on it.
“Holly?”
Lashes fanned her cheeks as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. She opened them. “Mom? We’re in here.”
At the sight of Holly’s mother, Eli’s breath left him. A mere shadow of the woman he remembered from his youth and even six years ago, she was now wasted away from her illness. No wonder Holly was so adamant about sticking around and taking care of her. Just like she had right after her dad died and cancer struck Mrs. Maddox, in Holly’s senior year of high school.
Holly watched Eli cross the room to give her mom a gentle hug. Her mother patted his arm and then held on to it as he led her to the couch. She settled down and said, “I heard voices.”
Holly covered her mother with an afghan from the back of the couch. “We were just discussing Alex.”
“Ah. A very persistent young man, isn’t he? It’s a shame you two didn’t suit each other.” She shifted into a more comfortable position then snapped her eyes to Holly. “Oh, speaking of persistent, I almost forgot to tell you that the nice man from the real estate office, Mr. Miller, came by today with Jarrod Parker.”
“What nice man? And why was our lawyer with him?”
Forehead wrinkled in thought, Holly’s mother said, “You know, the one who came by last week. You weren’t here, but I told you about him.” She looked at Eli. “He wants to buy this place.”
“What did you tell him?” Holly heard the sharpness in her voice, but couldn’t help it. She was so tired of dealing with these people. Why was it no one could seem to take no for an answer anymore?
“I told him we would discuss it.”
Patience, Holly. “There’s nothing to discuss, Mom. This is my childhood home, the place Daddy poured sweat, blood and tears into. How can you just give it up so easily?”
Her mother laughed, “Oh, honey, it’s just a house. Yes, we had some good times here, but it’s time to move on. Your life would be so much easier if you didn’t have to worry about taking care of this place.”
“I don’t mind.” Holly crossed her arms, body language shouting her resistance. “Besides, I have help. Mr. Ryan has been here for years. What would he do if we sold this place out from under him?” Holly’s father had hired Will Ryan when Holly was in the third grade. The man loved this place as much as she did, although he kept a small apartment in town. “And what was Mr. Parker doing with the man from the real estate company anyway?”
Her mother frowned. “Will Ryan needs to retire. The poor man is getting older and can’t keep up like he used to. That’s why he only puts in a few hours a day. And don’t let him fool you, he’s got a nice little nest egg squirreled away and can very easily quit working. He only stays on because he knows you need the help.” She flicked a hand. “As for Mr. Miller, it seems like I might have mentioned that our lawyer handled everything. I guess he went to Jarrod, who, by the way—” she eyed Holly sternly “—thinks it would be a wise move.”
“Why that sneaking, conniving, land-hungry…” Her fingernails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists. But part of her digested her mother’s words about Mr. Ryan. He only stayed on to help her? She thought it was because he couldn’t bring himself to quit working. Guilt stabbed her.
Eli held up a hand. “Um, I think I’ll just head on home.” He looked at Holly. “Are you okay with that?”
She paused midtirade and flushed. “Yes, of course. Sorry, I’m just a little stressed right now.”
“Don’t you want to report what happened—”
“Um, no,” she broke in, eyes flashing a warning about discussing this in front of her mother.
He got the message and bit his tongue. He obviously didn’t agree with her, but at least he didn’t say anything more. “All right. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You will?”
“Elva Sharp called, said you told her you would pick up her stuff for the auction and thought you would need help. Apparently my dad volunteered me when she came to visit him in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. She called this morning to let me know.”
Holly was in charge of collecting the “treasures” to be auctioned off. She groaned. “I’d forgotten all about that.”