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

By the time Alec returned with food from the local drive in, Maddy had the table set with napkins and condiments and changed to jeans and a tee shirt.

"Well, knowing Leland, I'm sure he forgot to even offer you a cup of coffee back at his office. Working with him is no picnic." Swallowing the last drop of his iced tea, Alec sat back and stretched in his chair, watching her.

"Well, he did take me out for breakfast." She pointed a finger at him and laughed, "Remember?"

"Aw, he's not a bad sort, I guess," Alec began, holding his glass out for a refill. "It's just that he's always in the middle of things, always knows just a day ahead when something goes up for sale or someone's in trouble, I don't know. Maybe I'm jaded from working with crooks so much."

Thoughtfully Maddy sat cross-legged in her chair, filling her glass. "Well, where I come from, the big city, that's called being an astute businessman. Successful. What's wrong with that?"

Alec shrugged and looked around the kitchen before answering. "I don't know. Sometimes I think he's hedging, using his position on the city council and with his job, to profit somehow. But I guess you're right when maybe all he's doing is being a savvy businessman. Like I said, I can't put my finger on it, and I don't tell anyone this either, so keep it to yourself. Just don't let him talk you into anything, okay?"

"Aunt Polly's had dealings with him too. She also warned me about him last night." They grinned at each other. There was a comfortable awareness in being together that Maddy liked. She didn't understand it, but she liked it.

"I still don't know what I'm going to do yet, and there's all this to go through." There wasn't any conviction in her voice. Looking around she suddenly had an overwhelming feeling come over her, the house, all the things in it, were now legally, hers. It was up to her to figure things out, and the problem was getting bigger by the minute.

"So, I guess that means you'll have to stay at least for a little while to dispose of things." Alec said.

Maddy nodded, “Yes and I may need some help with the heavy stuff. You interested?”

"You bet." He chomped on another burger, grinning through pickles and mustard.

"I wound the grandfather clock this morning. I needed some noise in the house besides the local grain and news report. Sounds good, doesn't it?"

"So, you're kind of lonely living in a place like this?" He picked up the sandwich wrappers and drank the last of his drink.

"No, I'm used to being alone. Well, as alone as having a slightly neurotic best friend can be. I have an apartment in a high rise on Chicago's lakefront. It's nice but small. It's a lot smaller when my best friend Marie crashes with me. She dates a lot and right now she's at odds with her landlord, trying to save for her own place. I wanted to get a dog for company but they aren't allowed in the apartment. But, now I can do what I want. Hang pictures, paint the walls. Maybe get that dog.” Walking Alec to the back door she tucked her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and shrugged. "Honestly, listen to me, I'm just dreaming out loud."

"Well, nothing wrong with dreaming. I always wanted a dog too, a hunting dog, but I never had the time or place either, especially being single and working all the time." He turned and paused a moment. "Maddy, I guess I should tell you something. I was married once, briefly, a long time ago. But you seem to know that."

"It's a small town, remember?" She said laughing.

"Well, I hope you don't think I'm butting in, but I'd sure like it if you stayed, at least for a while. I know you'd like the town, Nielsen is a friendly, quiet place but it's full of good people, mostly. Just think about it."

“I will, but no promises. Oh, Alec, look out you’ll run into Aunt Polly.” Alec had been walking backward talking to Maddy and didn’t see Aunt Polly come up behind him.

“Aunt Polly, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” Alec apologized.

"Land sakes, Alec. I'm not surprised since you weren't facing me. Well, you finally got a date. Tell her good by and get going. You're going to be late for work. And don't drive like this, for heaven's sake. They'll be peeling you off the pavement."

"Aunt Polly, just the person I wanted to see." Maddy put an arm around the older woman, and they walked back into the house.

"Good. I'm getting tired over there, sitting and wondering what's going on. From the look on Alec's face, I can guess. But an old gal my age doesn't have time to pussyfoot around, I'm snoopy and I admit it. So there." Aunt Polly said matter-of-factly.

"Well good. I have a huge favor to ask and I hope you're willing." Over iced tea and coffeecake Maddy explained the details of her aunt's will to her new friend and potential neighbor.

"That sure sounds like Madeline, all right. She had a powerful reason to do the things she did. I don't understand this thing with her family, even tried to talk her into making up but she said most everyone was dead. Funny thing, she never seemed bitter or spiteful, just plain wouldn't talk about it."

"Maybe we'll learn more when we go through her things. That's the favor. Would you help me, please?" Desperately Maddy clasped Aunt Polly's hand. "Now that it's official, I feel less like an intruder. I know she would like you to have something special to remember her by, too, but I just need your help so much."

Aunt Polly sat silent for a moment looking around.

"I sat in this kitchen many times over the years, shared a lot with Madeline. She was with me when my only