Page 16 of Midnight
"Hey man, looking to get away from all the girls during girls’ day?"he chuckles, looking up from his computer.
"Something like that.Actually, I had a question for you since I'm a little out of touch with the area at the moment.I was wondering if you know of any homes that are for sale or are going up for sale?"
I think he'd be a good one to ask because his mom knows everything that goes on the island, and she lives for gossip.Ever since his dad passed, his mom has poured herself into being the gossip central person and knowing everything that goes on.I'm hoping to use that for my benefit.
"Actually, the place next door to my mom is looking to sell but hasn't officially been put on the market.It needs a lot of work but I bet you could get it at a decent price," he says.
"The house with the little old lady that always rescued the greyhounds?"I ask because for the life of me, I can't remember her name now.
"Yes, she's looking to move into a retirement facility in Wilmington.But has not wanted to sell until she finds someone who is going to put a family in the place and not use it as a vacation rental," he says.
"In other words, she's being stubborn," I laugh but hoping that I can appeal to her to sell me the house.
"Pretty much.You going to try to talk to her about the house?"Jasper asks.
"Honestly, can't hurt to try.Harper loves it here and I hate to stay in an apartment.After everything she's been through, she deserves a real home."
After a bit more chewing the fat with Jasper, we say our goodbyes and I go look at the house he told me about.
When I get there and find her on the front porch, I’m hoping luck is on my side.This is the south and I can get away with forgetting her name by calling her ma'am and still be considered a polite person.I'm hoping it works.
"Hello ma'am," the steps to her.
"Nate, I heard you took a job out of town.What are you doing here," she says with a big smile on her face.While I may not remember her name, she sure knows me, which isn't a surprise after being a cop in this town.
"I did, and I brought my girlfriend into town to show it off.She really loves it here.Actually, we are looking to move back, and were told you might possibly be interested in selling your house.So I thought enough with the gossip, I would just come and ask you myself."
"That was smart, young man.Are you looking for a house for you to live in?"she asks, making me think that what Jasper said is correct.
"I'm looking for a house to live in and it’s where I want to start a family.But I want to find it before I ask my girlfriend to marry me."
Jumping up with a delighted smile on her face, she comes over to give me a big hug.
"That makes me so happy!I would love nothing more for you than to start a family in this house.Now it does need some work, but if you have a few minutes I'm happy to show you around."
"I have all the time in the world.Harper is having a girl's day with Lin and Brynn," I tell her.
We spend the next hour walking through the house, and she points out all the things that need to be fixed or worked on.Even after I told her as a seller she shouldn't do that, she'd just wave her hand at me and keep going.
All in all, the house is in good condition and you can tell that it's been loved and maintained.It has original hardwood floors that will need to be refinished.Some wallpaper has to be removed and it needs a good coat of paint.
The kitchen will need to be replaced and updated, but it will easily work for the next few years and doesn't need to be done right away.
After the tour we sit down to talk price.When I suggest getting a real estate agent first, she says no that we can work it out.Maybe at the end then bring one in to do the final details.
She offered me such a good deal, I insisted on paying more.When she refused, I offered to pay all her closing fees and she agreed.At the end I asked her one more favor, which she agreed to with a big hug.
Then she called her real estate agent friend who is drafting the contract and we plan to meet later today to go over it and sign everything.So, now, on to step two of my plan.
Finally, I head down to the police station, my old stomping grounds and say hello to everyone as I go into talk to the chief.
"Nate!How are you doing?Getting tired of the big city there in Washington?"he jokes.
Washington is bigger than us here in Seaview, but it's still a small town compared to most of America.
"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about transferring back here."I cut straight to the point.
"Close the door," he says, nodding behind me.
