Winter Reunion

“Well, it won’t work. Period. I was due to re-up last month, but had to postpone it until my next checkup at a VA hospital.” Dev sat back in his chair, his spine rigid. “I’ve already made an appointment in Minneapolis on the fifteenth. Once I’m cleared, I’ll go active as soon as I can arrange the flights.”

“You would need to extend your leave, of course.”

He stared at her for a long moment. “That’s…that’s not possible.”

“After all your years in the service, these circumstances surrounding your mother’s estate, and the fact that you are due to re-up, I’d bet it’s very possible,” Nora mused, giving him a thoughtful look. “If you wanted to try.”

“I have no experience with the care of the elderly, at any rate.”

“These people aren’t just old folks, believe me. Beth leased her bookstore and the apartment above it from your parents. Correct?”

He gave a single terse nod.

“Do you remember Vivian saying she wanted to give you one of the buildings when you retired from active service? She always hoped you’d come back home and start some sort of business here.”

“That was years and years ago, right after I enlisted,” Dev said, his voice touched with regret. “I guess emotions were running pretty high at the time. I told her that I would never move back under any circumstances.”

“Mothers can have amazing memories where their children are concerned.” Nora canted her head as she looked between the two of them. “That block is part of the estate, as you know. But if the terms of the will aren’t met, all of the commercial property will go to Dev’s uncle, Stan Murdock, and their home will be given to a women’s shelter. Dev would only inherit his parents’ personal possessions.”

Dev drew in a sharp breath. “Stan is aware of this?”

“Definitely. He…ah…has voiced considerable interest in razing the entire block for condo development.” Nora arched an eyebrow. “He’s actually starting to make plans, as he’s quite sure you’ll decide to walk away.”

Which meant that all the beautiful old stone buildings—including her beloved bookstore and her pretty little apartment above—would fall to a wrecking ball. Her heart sinking, Beth stared at Nora, then she twisted in her chair to face Dev. “Are you going to let him do that?” she whispered.

“He can’t.” A muscle ticked at the side of his jaw. “That block was designated for preservation as a historic site. My parents worked on the application years ago.”

“True. But apparently there were errors in the paperwork filed by the county attorney, and Stan found some loopholes.” Nora’s mouth curled with disgust. “And with his political connections, he must figure he’ll have no trouble doing what he wants. He had an architect come with him from St. Paul earlier this week. The two of them walked the area so preliminary drawings could be made. They stopped in here to discuss how soon Stan could take possession, as if it were a done deal.”

Beth sat back in her chair, appalled. “So your uncle would destroy part of the historic section of this town just to make money.”

“He’s not a blood relative of mine.” Dev’s expression darkened. “He was my late aunt’s second husband. He’s a successful businessman in the Twin Cities area and a big donor at charity events. But even as a kid I heard him talk about wheeling and dealing to get exactly what he wanted. I still can’t believe Mom would even consider letting him get his hands on her property. Is there any way around it?”

“You mean, if Beth alone complied with the will, or the two of you hired a manager to take over the boardinghouse? No. Vivian made sure of it.”

“I could retain another lawyer to challenge the will.”

“You’re welcome to do so. In fact, I’d encourage it, just so you’ll feel you’ve had your best shot at this.” Nora shrugged. “But I’ve represented your family’s interests for over twenty years, so please do understand that my concern is for Vivian’s wishes along with the well-being of every family member—you included. If I thought there was a way around the stipulations in your mother’s will, I’d let you know. But,” she added with a faint smile, “I was the one who wrote it up, and I made sure it was ironclad, at her express instructions. Unless, of course, you’d returned from the military too disabled to function as an independent adult.”

Beth clutched the arms of her chair. “So if Dev and I manage the boardinghouse, he can receive his full inheritance and protect the property. What does this entail, exactly?”

“It certainly isn’t a full-time job for those six months. Vivian figured twenty hours a week, more or less, shared between the two of you. You’ll manage the house and grounds—maintenance and so on.”

“‘And so on’ could cover a lot of things.”

“You’d be expected to provide assistance and encouragement for the remaining residents, if they need or request it. That might entail helping with searches for jobs, or locating opportunities for school or training. Help with transportation, if need be. Vivian wanted her last boarders to be assisted in every way toward independence, so they can move on to careers or a happy life elsewhere. It’s what she would’ve done for them if she hadn’t passed away.”

“And if they don’t…succeed?”

“Then the estate is tied up for a final six-month period to give you more time. If it’s deemed that you made little effort to assist the boarders, then the property goes to Stan. And, of course, the boardinghouse would be closed and any remaining boarders would have to leave.”

Dev frowned. “What about day-to-day management of the house itself?”

“The residents each make their own breakfast and lunch, but take turns cooking supper for the group. Vivian worked with them as needed on the planning, budgeting and shopping lists.”

“And she left a list of reliable repair people, right?”

“Viv was actually quite handy, though she had to hire repairmen now and then.”

“My mother?”

A grin briefly touched Nora’s lips. “She certainly evolved, over time. She told me that a service manual or a quick search on Google usually provided all she needed to know.”

“And the lawn?”

“A lawn-care service could take care of the grass and snow removal, but the monthly budget is limited to the amount of rent paid plus a small stipend. So if you choose to take care of things yourself, it would save money for the bigger problems.”

Beth thought for a moment, trying to remember the old folks she’d seen toddling around town. “What if a resident is simply unable to reach independence? And who judges whether everything has been accomplished—or can’t be?”

“This isn’t an assisted-living situation. All of the residents are capable of independence and are of reasonable working age, as that was a stipulation before they could move in.” Nora folded her hands over the file on her desk. “As far as monitoring the success of the operation goes, a lawyer from Madison and I have been left with that responsibility. Our assignment is to put the welfare of the residents above everything else, and that’s what we will do.”

“What does that mean, exactly?”

Nora smiled. “You and Devlin will be running the show completely. Harold Billingsly and I will be reviewing the financial summary you two submit each month, along with an update on each resident.”

“Update?”

“A written report. Obviously, these people can’t be just booted out and set adrift—there needs to be a concrete plan and a move to successful independence.”

Beth felt the noose tightening.

It all sounded simple. Straightforward. But could she handle working with Dev on a daily basis? Even now, she felt the ragged edges of her emotions unraveling.

Yet if she didn’t cooperate, Dev would lose the property, and when Stan took over, she’d lose her home and her store. And those poor folks might end up out on the street. Lord, tell me what to do here.

Realizing the room had gone silent, Beth shook off her thoughts. “I’ll try. But I have a bookstore to run, with just one part-time employee who’ll soon be going on maternity leave, and I easily put in fifty hours there myself. I’m just not sure I can take on a lot more.”

“You’re debating about this?” Dev’s voice turned bitter.

At his tone, she stared back at him in disbelief. He really had no idea. “I said I’ll try. It isn’t going to be easy.”

“But we both have to cooperate, because my dear mother set quite a trap.” He made an impatient sound deep in his throat. “If either of us walks away from this, everyone loses. But if we can put up with each other for six months, then everyone wins. Including you.”

“Put up with each other?” His sharp words stung, reawakening the pain and devastating disillusionment she’d experienced over their divorce, and reminding her of all the reasons she’d hoped to never run into him again.

“Look, I know that working together is the last thing either of us wants. But didn’t you hear what Nora said? Cooperate and you’ll own your building, free and clear. Even if you despise me, isn’t that reward enough?”

Chapter Two