Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (ebook audio reader TXT) 📕

a lot of nerve. After letting people boss her for so long, she was not going to put up with it anymore. When she got home from this meeting she knew what she wanted to do. Explain a few things to a certain deputy sheriff. She'd do it quickly and then head back to Chicago and away from this know-it-all who thought he could charm her with his handsome face and sexy smile. Yes, that's just what she would do.

"There better be enough hot water for a shower after all this." She was pleased to find there weren't any problems with the hot water heater.

The bathroom had been remodeled into a rather large, lavish bath with space enough for a comfortable chair and small armoire chest full of towels. An old, claw-footed bathtub stood at the far end, with, thank goodness, a showerhead.

At quarter to nine, Maddy emerged wearing a flattering navy blue sundress and matching spectator pumps. She wanted to look especially sophisticated and professional just in case Leland Lancaster did try and take advantage of her. She'd be ready

While wandering around inside waiting for Leland, Maddy pulled several more sheets from the lovely antiques and found a small, portable TV which she wheeled into the kitchen and turned on. A voice in the big, empty house made the surroundings more homey.

There were a few things to eat in the freezer, dried goods in the pantry, a well-stocked laundry room in back. No more Laundromats came to her mind. The thought of all the clothes in those awful machines that had eaten or been shrunk into nothingness back home made her feel victorious, at least momentarily.

That was the most practical solution. Sell everything, pay the bills, and get her car out of hock and the dentist off her back and then what?

"Come on, Leland. Let's get this show on the road already." She knew she was okay when she began talking to herself. The thinking was getting to her. Snapping off the TV, Maddy went outside to wait. It was a beautiful day. Hands clasped behind her, she walked slowly around the house looking at the grounds.

Mentally Maddy found herself reseeding here and re-caulking there. The challenge excited her more than she had thought anything could again. Perhaps, just, perhaps but a toot of a car horn interrupted her thoughts.

Leland Lancaster drove a big car so white it almost hurt her eyes. He and the car were a fine match, both were overpowering. This morning he wore a tan suit and light blue shirt.

"Well, Miss Morris. Good morning. Did you sleep well in that old house last night?" Not giving her a chance to answer he continued, "I'm sure it's nothing compared to what you are used to in Chicago. Small town living is quite different from the big city, huh? I'm sure we can get things settled quickly enough and you can get back to your life, with a nice inheritance to help you along."

His attitude irritated Maddy. But he was right.

"The house was anything but drafty. Mrs. Smith from next door has been keeping things up nicely." She looked him squarely in the eye. "Luckily I had visitors last night to welcome me to town. I was just fine there."

"You had visitors? Last night?" Leland Lancaster frowned and gave a shrug, "Imagine that. I bet I know, Aunt Polly for one, am I right? That deputy sheriff probably showed up too. Anything you want to know, ask Aunt Polly. Oh, I mean that in the kindest way, of course."

"Deputy McKay and I are old schoolmates. They were kind enough to check in on me. I guess since I'm alone and everything. Oh, and by the way," watching for his reaction she added, "the utilities were all on. Someone had to be paying the bills to have them on this long."

Without missing a step, he shrugged and said, "Well, yes, I see, that's one of the things I want to discuss with you this morning. It seems we have been keeping the utilities up, authorized through your aunt's attorney, of course. My secretary forgot to tell me, but she has been taking care of it. We'll get into all that later."

"Just when do I get to meet this, Mr. Drake?"

"He was in court this morning in Omaha, but, I'm sure he'll make a trip out here today. He said he’d call."

Maddy climbed in and sat back in the plush passenger seat and smiled confidently. He better believe they'd get into all of this. Mr. Lancaster looked cool and calm this morning as he drove down the street, chatting with Maddy.

"I hope that old Mrs. Smith didn't bother you too much, she can be such a busybody sometimes. That deputy too, he's forever interfering, calling about every little thing. Trying to be helpful I'm sure, but a bother all the same."

"No, everyone's been very kind. I'm finding Nielsen a very friendly town. In fact, it hasn't changed much since I lived here. A little more modernized, but still a very charming and friendly town."

The small town bustled with activity with people going about their business as they drove down the main street.

"That's nice of you to say, Miss Morris. We all like to think our town is special, friendly. Nice place to visit after a long absence, how long has it been?"

"A long time, I was fourteen or fifteen, I think." Maddy said absently.

"I hope you won't think me presumptuous to give a little friendly word of warning. I mean, you being away for so long, a lot of things do change. People, for instance. You think you know them, but you really don't."

"I suppose that true sometimes." She stared at him.

"Well, you're an attractive young woman with a wonderful personality, and, I'm sure you'll be quite well off after the estate is settled. You must be careful, you know, a young woman with a lot of money is temping to some people. Do you have someone to advise