Page 64 of Sweet Somethings

"That was during the depression. I wonder if he had to sell."

"Possibly. I was also talking to the woman in the recorder's office, and she told me that most deeds up until the 1950s were held in a man's name only, regardless of his marital status. So when I give you a man's name, it doesn't necessarily mean he was single."

"It's hard to believe that it wasn't that long ago that women couldn't own property in their own name. Who's next on the list?"

Roman consulted the sheet of paper in front of him. "Harry Sackmore. He owned the property from 1933 to 1958. Next was Max and Jane Grayson, from 1958 to 1972."

"Wait, are the Grayson sisters related to Max and Jane?"

"If those were their parents, I'd say so, but I don't know for sure."

"That's interesting. Who's next?"

"Connie Jacobson owned the house from 1972 to 1987, when your parents bought it. I don't know if she was a single woman or just held the deed in her name." He paused. "Do we need to go on with the owners after your parents?"

"There was just one, wasn't there?"

"Yes, Dee and Bill Hannington, from 2003 to 2016. Then my grandfather purchased the property. That brings us to now."

She thought about what she'd just learned. She had names, but she needed more.

"Let me ask you something," Roman said. "Was that bedroom and closet carpeted when you lived there?"

"I think so," she said slowly. "I feel like all of the bedrooms were carpeted."

"Do you remember your parents putting down new carpet?"

"No, not really. Why all the questions about carpeting?"

"Just trying to see if we can rule out anyone. If the carpet was placed over the boards where the box was hidden, then it probably happened before you moved in."

"That's true, but who knows how many times it was re-carpeted? I think we have to base our theory on the fact that the letters sound old-fashioned."

"I agree," he said with a nod. "Her language, and her concern about her father forcing her to marry, sound dated."

"So we need to research the four owners before my parents. That shouldn't be too difficult." She paused. "Maybe I should start with the Graysons."

He groaned. "If you want to start there, I'm out. You'll get further on your own."

She knew he was right, but she didn't want him to be out. She wanted him to be working with her. "Then let's start at the beginning. I wonder what we can find out on the Internet."

"Probably quite a bit. Do you want to start now?"

"I really do," she said, "but…"

"But you have cakes to bake. No problem. This can wait. Those letters have been hidden for years. There's no real urgency to figure out who owns them now."

"Except that I really want to, but it will have to wait until tomorrow night."

"I should let you get back to work."

"Or…" she said impulsively.

He gave her a wary look. "I don't think I like the sound of that."

"You could help me bake. I could use another set of hands." She couldn't quite believe she was asking Roman to help when she'd already turned away Susan's offer, but she just hated to see him leave again so soon.

"My hands?" he asked doubtfully. "I don't think I'll be much help."

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