Page 74 of The Sandbar saga

Part Three

Dr. Conner and Katie

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Chapter 29

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FIVE YEARS LATER—

Katie handed the last paper to Paige. She had a lot to be excited about, and all she felt was panic.

"I'll present the offer to Mr. and Mrs. Frank's realtor in an hour, and then..." Paige looked at her phone. "They'll have until three o'clock tomorrow to either accept or counteroffer."

"Thank you so much for handling this for me, Paige." She looked around the small office. "When I read the new company name on the sign outside, I wasn't sure anyone would still be here that I knew. I was thrilled to know you were here and would negotiate the deal."

She'd almost chickened out when she noticed the Beachcomber Real Estate sign had been replaced with one that read Seashore Realty.

"Cara and Donna are still here, too. Only the owner changed." Paige leaned back in her chair and shook her head. "It sure is good to see you. You look great. I can't believe it's been five years since you left."

"Ah, that's kind of you." She sat straighter, hoping the pudge in her belly wasn't as noticeable as she imagined. "I look back to working here, and I'll always be grateful for the friendships I developed."

Five years had brought many changes to Astoria and to her. She trailed her hand down the back of her head. The short hairstyle was her most recent transformation.

"Are you still licensed in Oregon to sell real estate?" asked Paige.

She nodded. "I've been a broker for the last two years."

"Congratulations. You moved right up the ladder." Paige twirled the ink pen in her hand. "Are you looking for somewhere to hang your license?"

"Eventually, yes. Once I'm settled."

"You should talk to Donna. Between you and me, she's been mentioning going to part-time. Her grandchildren moved to California last summer, and she goes down there almost every two weeks." Paige lifted her brows. "You have the advantage of working for her in the past, so your foot is already in the door."

"I'll do that." She stood, needing to get back to the house on the Columbia River she'd rented for the month. "Thanks again, Paige. I couldn't have done this without you."

Paige blew air out between her lips. "You made it easy. And I'll be in contact with you as soon as I receive the phone call."

"Great. I can't wait to hear from you." She walked out of the office, inhaling the salt air.

She slid into the leather seat of her car and backed out of the parking lot. Halfway to the rental, she spotted a fast-food drive-thru and turned in. Eating out was a treat, not a celebration. She couldn't get her hopes up yet.

The owners of the house she put an offer in on could reject her price, or something could come up in the title search. Until she had the keys in her hand, nothing in Astoria was permanent.

She made her order, paid at the window, and drove forward picking up the meal. Feeling good, she concentrated on driving through traffic. She took the New Youngs Bay Bridge and headed toward Florence Avenue.

Once she parked in the driveway, she rushed to get inside the single-story cottage. The adrenaline high from making an offer on the house was waning fast.

The door opened as she reached the step, and Darla waved her in. "How did it go?"

"Good. I think." She smiled at Pete's sister.

While she hadn't known Darla at Langly Elementary because she was four years younger than Katie, she'd called Pete needing help, and he'd volunteered his sister. Thankfully, Darla was perfect for the job and was eager to start, needing to save money for community college.

"When will you know if you get the house?" Darla pointed to the bedroom.

She headed into the other room and answered over her shoulder, "Tomorrow afternoon."

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