Page 85 of Triumph of the Wolf
“Oh.” I slumped against Duncan again and wondered if I should ask Jasmine about the availability of other tiny homes in her new community.
Surprisingly, Bolin looked at Duncan.
“Ah yes,” he said, “I believe this is the part where I have a private conversation with Luna.”
Bolin nodded at him. “I think so. If it helps, my parents would be delighted if it works out.”
“If what works out?” I looked back and forth between them.
“Ivan MacGregor offered to buy the place, too, and keep Luna on as the property manager,” Bolin said, “but the other option would be even better. We all agree.”
Jasmine nodded at Bolin.
“What other option?” I propped a fist on my hip, feeling more left out than mysteriously intrigued.
“My lady, if you’ll permit me a private moment with you?” Duncan bowed and stretched an arm toward the leasing office.
“Fine, but if you irk me, just know that my sword is in there.”
“I… hope you won’t be irked, but I don’t know. I haven’tsignedanything yet or even said… Well, it would be completely up to you. I don’t want to be presumptuous.”
I followed him into the office, shutting the door behind us. “Presumptuous about what?”
“You’ll recall that I brought up the idea ofyoubuying Sylvan Serenity.”
“I believe I quashed that idea due to a lack of funds or backers with funds.”
“Yes, but not a lack of interest in the idea on your part? You’ve spoken numerous times of one day owning rental property, right?”
I started to shake my head, but it was more a reflex, not because I wouldn’t love to stay where I was as a partial owner of the property I’d dedicated so much of my life to maintaining.
“Why?” I asked instead. “You didn’t find a bunch of rich backers, did you?”
Ivan MacGregor was the only person I knew, besides the Sylvans themselves, with the kind of money that could purchase a place this large.
“Well, I’ve all along known a possible backer with the available funds,” Duncan said, “but until we… became awe…” He gestured not only toward me but toward my abdomen and his own chest. “Being a rather nomadic sort, I hadn’t originally considered settling down at all. Certainly notinvestingin this area. But it’s not as if an investor would have to stay on the premises or even be in the country all that often. Nor an owner for that matter. And you have mentioned that you might be willing to travel some with me.”
“You’re rambling, Duncan.” I couldn’t get a grasp on what he meant either.
“I’m trying to say that if you’re interested,Iwould be willing to back the project.” He rested a hand on his chest. “I’ve had plenty of time to learn that you’re more than capable of running the place and making it profitable.”
“You. You want to put up the down payment for an apartment complex withhundredsof units? Duncan, you paid for coffee and light-rail fare with coins stolen from a koi pond.”
“I am frugal. Even more so now that you’ve introduced me to experienced clothing.”
“You can’tpossiblyhave the money for this. Did you?—”
“Get the pro forma from Bolin and his parents? I did. Besides, it’s just the down payment we need to come up with.”
“Just. As if that isn’t millions and millions of dollars alone.”
“It is, yes. But because it’s you, the Sylvans are willing to owner-finance you for the first ten years, until you’ve got the experience and track record to show a bank that you’re a solid bet for a loan. Of course, with the profit you’ve allowed this place to make, you might well be on your way to having it paid off by then. When you’re the owner, will you continue to install the toilets yourself?”
“OfcourseI would, but Duncan. You can’t possibly have that kind of money.”
“Sure I can. I’ve had it for a while. I even told you about it. You’ll recall the story of me diving a wreck off the coast of Africa some time back and finding a wee bit of treasure.”
“What I recall is that a killer whale wearing a salmon hat was there watching you.”
