Page 10 of A Chance at Forever
Everyone referred to Mrs. Smith asMa. When Catherine died, Ma Smith became a surrogate mother to Victoria, and she loved her for it. She rushed into Ma Smith’s open arms and sobbed.
Ma Smith patted Victoria’s back and murmured soothing words of comfort. “Now, you sit here and make yourself at home, Tori. I’ll not have tears when I’m so happy to see you. Are you on vacation?”
“No. I’m home to stay. I’m teaching again at MHS.”
The Smiths glanced at one another in surprise.
“I imagine your daddy will miss you,” Doug commented.
“He understands that teaching is my first love.” Victoria swiveled back and forth on a barstool at the counter. Old habits were hard to break. “I need to find a place to live.”
“You’re in the market to buy?” Ma Smith set a glass of Coke in front of Victoria. “And still crazy about those Victorian homes on Lake Ellis, I suppose.” Her brown eyes twinkled.
Victoria’s mood lightened. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Remember Charles and Ruby McFarland? Poor Ruby passed away six or seven months ago, and Charlie couldn’t look after that huge house by himself. So, his youngest son and daughter-in-law came to get him. They put the house on the market, and it’s been empty now for almost three months. Wilson Realty has the listing.”
Victoria finished her Coke. “I’ll come back for a burger later. I’m off to Wilson Realty. Wish me luck.”
She crossed the street with Bud trotting next to her and ambled through the park. Victoria allowed the dog to explore before continuing on to Wilson Realty. It was owned by the family of her childhood friend, Jeff Wilson. After he had graduated from the University of California with his degree in business and earned his license to sell real estate, he joined Wilson Realty. As far as she knew, Jeff still worked for the company.
A bell tinkled above the door. On the phone with a client, Jeff glanced up at the sound, and his eyes widened in recognition. Holding up a finger to give him a minute, he continued, “Yes, I’ll get started on that immediately. All right. We’ll talk soon.” He put down the receiver of the landline phone and rose from his desk. A boyish grin crossed his handsome face. “You’re back to stay.”
“Very perceptive, Mr. Wilson.”
“You forget how well I know you.”
The husky quality of his voice and the expression of longing in his eyes made Victoria uneasy, so she changed the direction of their conversation. “I need a house, Jeff. I hear you’re handling the McFarlands’ place.”
“Are you interested? I hate to see a home that beautiful sit empty.”
“Yes, I’m interested.”
“Great. I’ll drive you out there so you can take a look. Give me a moment to get the keys to the property.”
“Do you mind if my dog comes along?” Victoria and Bud followed Jeff through the back exit of the realty office where he’d parked his car.
“Not at all.” Bud wagged his tail andwoofed. Jeff chuckled and opened the back door for the golden retriever. He and Victoria settled in the front seat. “So, did you drive all the way from New York City?”
“Yes. I needed time to think.”
“About us?”
The hopeful tone of his voice broke Victoria’s heart. She glanced at his bare left hand. So, he hadn’t moved on from her and found someone else to love. A sick feeling gripped her stomach. “About the future, Jeff. Nothing else.”
An unbidden image of Rusty Sinclair’s rugged face and tall, muscular body flashed in her mind, and she gritted her teeth. Hadn’t she been taught a valuable lesson by a man whose classic good looks and veneer of charm fooled her?
Jeff didn’t respond. To cover the awkward tension between them, he brought her up to date about what had happened in Marysville during her three-year absence. They slipped into their old pattern of easy banter until he parked in the driveway of the McFarlands’ Victorian.
It sat a good distance from the shady street. A series of stone steps built into the yard led up the incline to the two-story structure. Surrounded by a porch on all sides, the wood siding of the house was faded and in need of minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint.
As she explored the grounds, Victoria made mental notes. She loved the idea of living on the lake where she used to ice skate during the winter and search for Easter eggs during the annual spring hunt. A dock stretched over the water, and she imagined sitting on the edge, dangling her feet with Bud beside her. The front porch swing needed to be replaced, along with the two rocking chairs facing the lake. Bursting with ideas, Victoria chattered with enthusiasm as they toured the house and property.
The interior impressed her. Warmth enveloped her the moment she stepped across the threshold. Though the hardwood floors needed to be stripped and waxed, the stone masonry around the fireplace repaired, along with the staircase, she saw the potential of restoring the house to its former grandeur. Especially pleased with the spacious kitchen with an uninhibited view of the lake, Victoria knew she could be happy here.
At the end of the tour, Jeff asked, “Well, what do you think?”
“I love it. The house needs work, but I don’t mind. What’s the asking price?”
