Page 39 of The Path To Us

“Okay, okay. I’ll do that. Talk to you next week to close?”

“Yes. I hired a moving company, too. They’ll be here end of the week so it’ll be cleared out for you. Auction’s the following weekend. Once that’s done, it’s all yours.”

“You were so certain I was going to want the house, that you made all these arrangements already, huh?”

He shrugs a shoulder. “Just a hunch.”

I chuckle. “See you next week,” I tell him, climbing inside my truck.

He taps the hood twice before turning and walking away. I watch as he retreats back into his house, wondering how he’s handling this so seemingly well. I don’t think I’d part with something that’s been in my family for over a hundred years quite as easily as he is. Especially to someone who’s not related to me. But he seems happy, eager, even to make the move.

As I’m pulling out of the driveway, I look at the house in my rearview mirror and hate that I’m leaving it behind. I can’t believe I just made a gentleman’s agreement to purchase a house that’s meant for a family of at least six people. But something came over me and I couldn’t resist signing on the dotted line, so to speak.

I’m not sure why he contacted me about purchasing his house, and I’m certain he’ll never share that with me seeing as he seems to love having me figure things out for myself. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful.

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