Page 47 of Mail Order Splash

“No ‘but’, it’s a yes.” I looked out the window. “I want to follow the passion I feel for rescue.”

“You still can. We all have our passions.”

“Yeah, hers is marrying us all off,” Murphy chuckled. “Be careful, cous’.”

“Marrying her could solve all her problems,” Aunt Victoria said around a bite of food.

“Marrying who?” Murphy leaned forward. “Did I not warn you, Dalt?”

“Aunt Victoria, you’re making a joke, right?”

“I’m saying you like her and Kellan wants you to grow up.”

“Who are we talking about?” Murphy interrupted. “What girl?”

“Murphy, we’re talking,” she scolded. “Dr. Schaffer, if you must know.”

“Who?”

“The girl in pink from the party,” I answered.

“I like her. Why does she need to get married, though?”

“She doesn’t, she needs her facility rescued.”

“That seems easy enough. Give her money.”

“Not that easy, Murphy,” Aunt Victoria replied before me. “We need real solutions for a very real problem.”

“I’d be happy to look over the problem, or you can fill me in.” She became more serious.

I filled her in, fine by fine, lien by lien, then about how my meeting went with Edward. “What I need now is Kellan’s expertise.”

“He’ll tell you to buy it, make her the CEO.” She munched on more bread. “I gather she wouldn’t want to sell it, not even to you.”

“Why would she? It’s her family’s, not ours.”

“Kellan will tell you it’s the only way to save it.”

“Which is why I mentioned marrying her. The city would back down if she was one of us.” Aunt Victoria smiled. “I’m telling you this because what Murphy said about Kellan is correct. That is what he’ll suggest.”

“There has to be another answer. I’m too young to marry.”

“I thought you should know I brought it up during lunch.” She held up her hand to stop my interrupting. “It was presented to me first, if you recall. I wanted to get a feel for his demeanor.”

“I understand. At least he won’t hear from me first. He would only think I was being impetuous.”

“Now, you see. Let’s enjoy our meal.” She patted my hand. “Think about all I have said tomorrow when you see him.”

Chapter Thirteen

KLEINE

With Netty safely back with her family there was nothing to do, leaving me time to get completely moved in. We’d been bringing boxes of stuff all week and the painting was done in the apartments. All that was left was the big stuff.

“I asked a friend with a truck to help us move the rest.” Josh read my thoughts. “You moving in today?”

“No reason not to; we’re ready here.” I looked at his somber face. “What’s wrong?”

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