Free The Most Famous Illegal Goose Creek Parade by Virginia Smith Page B

Violet had vacated. “I’ve thought about this all night and all day. You know our financial situation. We could afford to buy that house, but the renovation costs could wipe us out.”
    An excited tickle fluttered in her stomach. Was he actually considering her idea? “We can save money by doing a lot of them ourselves.”
    â€œNot plumbing and electrical work.” His expression became dour. “And especially not roofing.”
    â€œWe’d take bids, and go with the cheapest one.”
    He nodded. “That’s exactly what we’d have to do. And if your bed and breakfast idea doesn’t take off, I’ll have to delay my retirement.”
    Millie could hardly believe her ears. Was that a yes she heard hovering in the midst of his dire predictions? Her pulse began a wild dance. “It will take off,” she assured him with a certainty she felt in her bones.
    His expression solemn, he caught her gaze. “Before you get too excited, I have several conditions that must be met.”
    Uh oh. Here it came. Of course there would be conditions. Probably unachievable ones.
    He held up a finger. “I insist on a full inspection, and if we find anything we can’t afford to fix, the deal’s off.”
    A reasonable request. She nodded. “Agreed.”
    A second finger shot into the air. “If we make an offer, it will be contingent on selling this house.”
    Again, not an unreasonable condition. She studied his face. Jaw set, chin jutted slightly forward in that stubborn pose she knew so well. He was about to drop a bomb. She gave a cautious nod to condition number two.
    The third finger appeared. “And our offer will be five hundred thousand.”
    Ice water doused her enthusiasm. Of course Albert would make a lowball offer. She should never have told him what Violet said about the Updyke brothers’ bottom dollar. They were sure to be insulted.
    But this was far more ground than she’d expected to gain so quickly in the negotiations. Swallowing her doubts, she gave a regal nod. “Agreed.”
    At least she had the pleasure of watching his eyebrows shoot upward toward his thinning hairline.

    Al returned his toothbrush to the holder and switched off the bathroom light. He paused in the bedroom doorway. What a homey sight his wife made, propped up on pillows and leafing through a magazine, a faint smile hovering around those kissable lips. Far better than the rigid and frigid treatment he’d received last night.
    Of course, he had not exactly acted like Prince Charming himself.
    When he slid into bed, she put the magazine on her nightstand and scooted close to him, her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder. The faint, clean scent of the lilac soap she favored filled him with satisfaction, and he hugged her close.
    â€œAfter we get the bed and breakfast established, we can still travel.” Her lips moved against his pajama shirt as she spoke. “I’m sure camping in a travel trailer is much better than a tent.”
    â€œBy the time we can afford to buy an RV, I’ll be too old to drive it.” He squeezed her tightly to acknowledge her concession. “But thank you.”
    â€œNo, we’ll get your RV,” she insisted. “You’ll see. Everything will work out.”
    He held his tongue. Actually, he was nearly positive that things would work out to his satisfaction. The odds of all three of his conditions being met were astronomical. Goose Creek was in decline—anyone could see that with a glance at all the empty buildings on Main Street. Who would want to move here? Mortgage rates were high, and the real estate market was sluggish. And besides, the Updykes would never accept his offer. Nobody was stupid enough to practically give away their family home.
    Al turned off the light and settled himself comfortably beside his wife, prepared to dream of the RV he would buy when he retired.
    Millie’s Mini