Page 46 of Hands off his Dudette

Chapter 21

Buying a house with a lawyer had certainly made things a lot easier. They met with the owners, who were already settled in their new place, and were more than willing to give the keys as soon as the money had exchanged hands. It was just a matter of getting the property inspected and getting the contracts drawn up.

Finn grumbled, but Anna, as usual, caved and accepted Arabella's assistance. She had contacts all over the place, in all relevant industries, and she insisted on putting them in touch with an inspector who'd left no stone unturned.

The guy gave his all clear on Thursday—they transferred the money on Friday, and Finn grabbed the keys while she was accompanying the brides to their fittings.

"Yes, charming. Very nice sink. That will certainly do."

To hear Arabella talk, one would think she'd be the one moving in.

"Mom," Finn asked, struggling under the weight of his TV set—the first thing he'd moved—"aren't you supposed to help Lucy with the wedding today?"

She grimaced. "Lucinda has hired a planner. An unpleasant fellow, very set in his ways. I won't abide his manner for a kingdom. Beside, this whole nonsense of organizing this mess so fast isn't something I support. No, he can do as he pleases. I will assist in another capacity. You may have heard, there was an issue with the dresses."

That was putting it mildly.

"Yes, I've heard," said Finn. "She said Cassie and she would shop for new ones tomorrow, something off the rack?"

Arabella grimaced. "They'll do no such thing. I've booked her in with a friend of mine. She has a very extensive collection, and seamstresses that'll work tirelessly to get their dresses done on time—my treat, of course. No daughter-in-law of mine will ever walk down the aisle with something off the rack."

Which of courseexplained why Arabella was now happy to step away from the wedding: in ensuring that Lucy looked fabulous through the ceremony, she'd done her part.

Anna dropped the box she was carrying in the kitchen, and wiped her brow. Like Finn, she'd gone for her priority first: the coffee machine.

"Is this a good place to stand?" Arabella asked.

Of course, she would standthrough a move.

Finn and Anna didn't have much to move yet—they were staying at the Johnson house until their new furniture arrived, but some help would have been appreciated nonetheless. They had over five dozen boxes; loading them had taken more than a half a day.

Finn's guys had offered to help paint and build their beds and dressers the following weekend. Given the fact that most of her friends were busy with Cassie and Lucy's wedding, they hadn't assisted.

"Sure thing," Anna replied.

It wasn't like the frail seventy-something year old could carry many boxes anyway.

"Where do you want this, miss?" Arnold asked, a boxed marked with an R in his arms.

"In the main bedroom, please—through this corridor and on the right."

She was showing him the way when the intercom rang—as they weren't expecting anyone yet, Anna and Finn frowned.

"I'll get it," she said, as he was untangling the TV's cords.

She answered the phone to right of the entryway. "Hello."

"Miss Bullen? It's Veronica—one of the concierges. I don't think we've met yet."

"No, not yet," she replied.

"I have six gentlemen requesting access to your property. They say they're with...Platinum Removal?"

Glancing to Finn, Anna frowned.

They'd rented a van, and spent all of Saturday packing and loading their things. Finn hadn't mentioned he'd hired anyone to help them move back.

"I think..."

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