Free Dreams Claimed (Warfield's Landing, #1) by Adeara Allyne Page A

Glenn, Max’s best friend and executor. Her birth father’s friend was slowly becoming her friend, too. They’d had a “What if...” conversation. To her surprise, he’d been excited and supportive of her idea. Even more of a shock, he’d told her that they could move on it immediately, if she wished. Since she’d be using her inheritance, she didn’t need permission from anyone.
    Now she was seated at a big round table on the patio of the Riverside Cafe. They’d spent about an hour looking over the school.
    Karyn was currently on the phone talking with Thomas, pacing along the edge of the patio. They were arranging to get a building inspector out as quickly as possible. Since Thomas or Karyn would need to accompany the inspector, the logistics were tricky.
    No surprise to Nic, Julia and Stevie had bonded and were chatting away happily. That was Stevie for you... everyone was a friend. It made her very good at retail and was also an advantage with her degree in Arts Management.
    Nic, stared across the river, enjoying the view of Port Deposit. Talk about having your life change in an instant.
    “Nic, Nic.” Stevie nudged her, hard. “Julia and I have been talking. She has a storefront available, with four apartments over it. I walked past it when I went to get Julia. We need to look at it. I think it has potential as gallery and office space and... the apartments would create an additional income stream. I think we ought to go look at it over lunch.”
    “Look at what?” Karyn had just finished talking with Thomas and was taking her seat.
    Stevie filled her in.
    “That sounds like a good way to go.” Karyn agreed. “If we aren’t trying to use the school for everything, we can maximize it as living space, studios, and classrooms. I like the idea of having the gallery space off site. That gives you the option to offer studio tours, rather than making them mandatory.”
    Nic glanced around the table. She noticed the empty plates with surprise. “Are we finished? If we are, then let’s go look.”
    “After dessert.” Stevie was firm about this. “Julia’s been telling me all about the pies Ruth Ann serves here.”
    “After dessert.” Nic was quick to agree, at the same time amused that Stevie was already calling the cafe owner by her first name. She glanced at Karyn, who winked at her.
    *****
    A n hour later, they were sitting in Julia’s office. Julia looked as dazed as Nic felt.
    Nic had stepped out of the office call Glenn. She’d put the call on Conference, so that Karyn could join in as the architect/contractor. After running the options past him and getting his input, she was ready to talk seriously.
    “I’m interested in the school and the storefront, along with the three lots across from the school and the woodland behind the school. But, this is all contingent on having the school and storefront pass inspection.”
    Julia nodded. “There are several sellers involved here. The school and the three lots across the street are one seller, the storefront is another, and the woodland acreage is a third.” She made a note on the pad in front of her. “What kind of schedule are we talking about for the inspections?”
    Karyn put up a finger, and ended yet another call with Thomas. She looked over her notes. “We’ve got the inspector scheduled for Tuesday at 10AM, if that works for you?” She looked at Julia.
    “That works for me.” Julia’s reply was quick as she made another note on her pad.
    “Excellent.” Karyn looked at Nic. “Thomas and I are both going to come. It might be good if you could join us.”
    Nic laughed. “I’m already planning on it. I’ll get someone to cover my class that night, so I don’t have to stress about getting back in time.”
    “That’s a good idea.” Karyn approved. “Thomas and I are hoping to get some rough dimensions taken and sketches made so we can start exploring options. We’ll bring an intern or two, so it should be feasible.”
    “Hey,