Page 33 of Heating Up (Nugget)
Tomorrow would be the first day of her new life, she told herself, and nearly gagged at the cliché sentiment. But there was something to be said for starting over. Gia had been stuck in overdrive for so long, she hadn’t had any adventures. Her biggest challenge had been juggling too many commitments. Here, she could focus on what she really loved: her horse, the great outdoors, and helping women achieve financial liberation. Only in this case, that woman would now have to be her.
* * *
Gia had on a big floppy hat, a scarf, and oversized sunglasses when Dana picked her up at the Lumber Baron. Dana thought she looked ridiculous and, in a place like Nugget, was only calling more attention to herself. If Gia wanted to avoid being recognized, she’d put a big bulls-eye on her head. But Dana didn’t have the heart to say anything.
“I printed out a list of the places I’ll be showing you today.” Dana handed Gia an accordion file. “In there you’ll find information on each property, including prices. We’re not looking at anything under twenty acres and nothing over eighty. But if you change your mind, I have a few smaller parcels we could get into today. And the homes in Sierra Heights, the planned community I told you about, are all on lockbox.”
“No, I’m not interested in a development.” Gia studied the list. “These have potential, though. I’m particularly excited about this sixty-acre hay farm.”
“We’ll go there first, then.” It was on the way to three other properties Dana planned to show her. “Just remember, the houses on some of these parcels are little more than mobile homes.”
Dana wanted her to be fully prepared. She got the impression Gia was expecting lush paddocks, fancy stables, and manor homes. Most of these places were strewn with farm equipment parts and outbuildings that had seen better days. The owners or foremen lived in modular or modest ranch houses.
She pulled off on Tank Farm Lane and maneuvered her Outback over the rutted dirt road. “In winter this’ll be a nightmare in the snow. I would suggest paving it. But that could take a big chunk of change.”
Gia took off her hat and glasses and tossed them into the backseat. Dana thought she was actually more attractive in real life than on television. Peaches and cream skin any woman would kill for, light blue eyes, and sandy blond hair.
“It’s sure dusty,” she said.
Dana turned on her sprayer and windshield wipers and continued up the road until she came to a white stucco house. As she pulled into the driveway, two dogs circled the car, barking. Jasper came out of the house, holding a cup of coffee and calling to the dogs.
“He said he would make himself scarce for the showing,” Dana said, disappointed. Buyers in general didn’t like looking with owners hovering. Gia, of course, had her own set of reasons. “Let me go talk to him, see if he’s headed out.”
“Morning, Jasper.” She walked toward him.
“Sorry about the dogs, Dana. I’ll lock ’em up in the garage. I gassed up the ATV if you want to take your client out to show her the property lines. You could also take the fire trail with your car, whatever is easier. The door’s unlocked.” He nudged his head at the house. “I’m going into town. Give me a ring if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Jasper. I’ll call you later if there’s any news.” The man desperately wanted to sell the place so he and his wife could retire near their daughter in Sacramento.
“I’d appreciate that.” He tipped his hat, got in his truck, and drove away.
Dana went back to the car. “Coast is clear.”
Gia got out. At least she’d worn jeans and tennis shoes.
“I thought we’d look at the house first and then I’d show you around the property.”
Gia didn’t say anything, just shielded her eyes from the sun and looked around. Together, they went inside the house.
“It’s a three-bedroom, two-bath,” Dana said. The place was tidy, but to someone of Gia Treadwell’s stature, it probably looked like a box. “It’s got central heating and there may be hardwood floors under the carpet.”
Gia walked into the kitchen. “It’s bright.”
And dated, Dana thought. Unexpectedly, Gia didn’t turn her nose up at it. She explored the bedrooms, peeking inside the closets, then took a look at the bathrooms.
“Let’s look at the property,” Gia said.
For the next forty minutes, Dana drove her around the land in the Outback. What they couldn’t see from the car, they viewed by walking. When they left to go tour another property, Gia didn’t say much. It was the same with the next two places. She took her time examining every nook and cranny but maintained a poker face throughout the morning. Dana could read Braille easier than she could read Gia.
“Look,” Dana said, “I don’t want to seem pushy, but it would help both of us if I knew what you liked and what you didn’t like . . . and what’s out of your price range.”
Gia let out a sigh. “The truth: I didn’t really like any of them, but I don’t want you to think I’m a prima donna.”
“I don’t at all. Usually my clients don’t like ninety-five percent of what they see. My job is to hone in on that five percent. But I can’t do that if I don’t know what you’re thinking. So don’t hesitate to tell me, ‘Dana, this place won’t work for me.’ Buying a home takes time.”
“That’s the thing, Dana, I don’t have time. I’m about to lose my show and the last thing I want to do is be in New York when it all crumbles.”
Dana looked at her agog. “How do you know they’ll cancel you? Don’t these types of things run their course? Won’t they just wait until there’s another big scandal?”
