Free The Windfall by Ellie Danes, Lily Knight Page A

Bill and me was the perfect idea. You are more than welcome to stay with us as long as you like. We have plenty of room.”
    “I have some money, Aunt Sophie,” I interjected, hoping I didn’t sound too eager. It had been my idea to offer to pay, softening them to our desperation to stay. I fully intended on giving them a nice going away present when we left, after we had told them about the money. “I can pay our rent until we find somewhere else to stay.”
    “Aren’t you sweet,” Aunt Sophie said with a smile, her eyes softening as she looked at her sister. “Such a good job raising this one, Gillie. You couldn’t have asked for a better son.”
    “I know.” Mom smiled, patting my knee affectionately. “He has done so much for us back home, and I can’t tell you how pleased I am that we can finally get away from that life so that he can see another side of the world. He deserves it.” She then turned back to her sister. “Please, let us help out however we can, Sophie. There’s a chance we might move out here permanently, so our stay won’t be forever. Just until we can sort through everything and decide what we want to do going forward.”
    Aunt Sophie clapped her hands and squealed. “Oh, that would be lovely! Having you so close would be like old times again.” She then looked at me, her expression a bit less jubilant. “Housing is not cheap around here, though, and can take forever to find the right place. I know some good realtors who can help you whenever you get ready to start looking, but don’t be surprised if what’s in your price range is nothing like this house here. But you two have to start somewhere, and I guarantee it has to be better than where you were living in Atlanta.” She then took on a serious look. “I don’t know what kind of assets you have, Cooper, but I hope it’s enough. I would love for ya’ll to stay out here with me permanently.”
    I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing, thinking I could buy the entire block if the mood really hit me. “I’ve got a nice nest egg saved up,” I said instead, shifting on the chair uncomfortably. What would she say when we told her? It didn’t seem like she and Uncle Bill were doing too bad for themselves, so I hoped she would be supportive and not get all weird like people back home had done. Mom would be devastated if her reaction ended up putting a wedge between them. “I think we’ll be fine, thank you. And I appreciate any help you can provide in pointing me in the right direction for finding a place. I just want Mom to be happy, and I think she will be here. You’re her family, and I know how much she’s wanted to be closer to you.”
    “This is so exciting,” Aunt Sophie exclaimed, her expression warm once again. “And don’t you worry about Bill. He will be just fine with all of this.”
    I nodded, hoping my uncle didn’t throw a fit for Mom’s sake. She had been so excited about the prospect of living near her sister that any animosity on Uncle Bill’s part might ruin that for both of them. They really did look happy to see each other again. “I will do whatever you need me to do to help out around here,” I added. “You just name it.”
    My mom nodded encouragingly, the relief on her face evident. We had gotten out of the neighborhood and out of any immediate danger that likely would have continued had I stayed at the bar. I had every intention of keeping the place and eventually getting back out there to show them I wasn’t scared of whatever they were trying to do. Damn Felix, and damn my gut feeling that kept telling me he’d had a hand in that scare tactic. Had he needed the money for those thugs? If so, I was glad I hadn’t bent to their will and given it to any of them, including Felix. It was still hard to believe my closest friend had turned on me the second he’d heard about the money. Part of me hoped it was just because he was being forced to do it. Not that it would be too much