Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
“Good morning,” Felicity said as Jackson climbed out of his truck holding a pink pastry box. “Please tell me there’s a maple bar in that box with my name on it.”
“What will you give me for it?” he asked as his lips curved up into a whisper of a smile.
“Coffee?” She waved at the to-go tray that was sitting in her passenger seat.
“Seriously? You truly are a goddess.” He opened the box, revealing a maple bar and two glazed donuts.
“And you sir, are my hero,” she said, trading a coffee for a pastry.
It was just before nine, and they were standing in front of the county assessor’s office, waiting for them to open.
A few snow flurries swirled around them in the gentle breeze, and after finishing her pastry, Felicity looked up at the sky, wondering if they were in for another storm.
And if so, how could she get Jackson back to her orchard for another night at the cabin?
Her gaze landed on the man in question, who was wearing a fitted sweater and jeans that did amazing things for his backside.
“Felicity?” he asked.
She jerked her attention away from his chest and formfitting sweater to meet his eyes. “Huh?”
“The clerk is here. Are you ready to go in?” There was a knowing smile on his lips, and she had no doubt she’d been caught ogling him.
“Of course. Lead the way,” she said, ignoring the fact that her cheeks were flushing with heat.
“It’s not often I get company this early in the morning,” the clerk said as she tucked a runaway, bottle-dyed red curl behind her ear.
She wore glasses with a beaded chain around her neck and looked like she’d been a permanent fixture at the office for the last fifty years or so. “What can I help you with today?”
Felicity explained she was looking for lien documents that had been filed against her property. “I just need to find the originals so that I can track down exactly who my grandmother borrowed money from.”
“Normally that wouldn’t be too big of a problem,” the clerk said with a slight frown. “But we just moved offices a few weeks ago, and not everything is organized yet. We don’t have all the boxes from the old storage unit moved in, but everything should be in the database.”
“We’ll start with the database,” Jackson said. “Then we’ll see what physical copies we might need.”
“Sure thing. Help yourself to the computers,” the clerk said. “Let me know if you need any help.”
“Thank you…” Felicity looked around, searching for a name plate. When she found it, she smiled. “Thank you, Doris.”
“You’re very welcome. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Me too,” Felicity said under her breath as she followed Jackson to the old computer that had to be circa 1990s. It was a large cream-colored beast that looked like it belonged in the Smithsonian, not the town assessor’s office.
Jackson pressed the button on the monitor, making the machine beep just before the Windows 95 logo filled the screen.
“This is what they use for organizing their files?” Felicity asked, wondering if she should start a collection plate to upgrade the town’s computer.
“At least it isn’t a microfiche reader,” Jackson said. “You have no idea how many small towns are still using those for looking up old records.”
Felicity blinked at him. “Microfiche? Seriously?”
“Yep. Talk about the dark ages.” He tapped the Enter key on the computer, making a text box appear.
Then he entered the address of her orchard.
After a long moment, a bunch of numbers started to populate the screen.
He clicked the first one, and the property details for Apples and Spice and Everything Nice popped up, showing that the property taxes had been paid.
He clicked another one and found a survey record.
The next set of numbers wasn’t linked to anything.
When Jackson clicked on it, nothing happened.
“Doris?” Felicity called as she walked toward the counter. “What does it mean when a record isn’t linked to anything?”
“Oh, honey. That just means the record hasn’t been scanned in yet,” Doris said, already walking toward them. “You’re going to need to dig through the files.”
Felicity glanced around the room, taking in the stacks of banker boxes. Each one was labeled with a set of numbers. “We need to dig through these?”
“Yes,” Doris said with a nod. She peered over Jackson’s shoulder at the numbered file.
Then she quickly wrote it down and walked around the room until she stopped at a stack of boxes.
“See this number?” She pointed to her paper and then a box that was on the bottom.
“See how the first three numbers match? That’s how you’ll find the box you’re looking for. ”
“We’ve got it,” Jackson said. He nodded toward the computer screen. “Can I print these out?”
“Sure thing. Just hit Control P.” Doris grinned at him, looking pleased with herself as if she’d just helped him solve some secret code.
The printer came to life and made an ungodly amount of noise as it printed out the numbers of the files Jackson hadn’t been able to open.
“I’ll be at the desk if you need me,” Doris said cheerily.
“Good to know,” Felicity muttered as she eyed the dusty banker boxes.
She’d imagined that they’d check the computer, find what they needed, and she’d already be making a plan to go see whoever held the lien on her property.
Instead, she was getting ready to move heavy boxes and would no doubt be sneezing up a storm as soon as they disturbed the many layers of dust.
“Here,” Jackson said, handing her a sheet of paper that had half the numbers circled. “You look for these. I’ll do the other half. With any luck, we’ll be out of here before lunch.”
Felicity grimaced, sent a text to Marilyn letting her know she’d be a little later than planned, and then got to work, looking for the paperwork.
The first two files she found were for permits.
One was to update the cabin’s plumbing, and the other was for a septic repair.
She crossed them off her list and pushed her hair out of her eyes as she went for the next box.
Three files later, she sat heavily on one of the plastic chairs and blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t see anything about a lien.”
“I don’t either. Not yet anyway,” Jackson said as he looked up and let out a small chuckle.
“Something funny?” she asked, more than a little bit annoyed.
“Just that smudge of dirt on your nose.” He winked at her as he pulled the lid off another box.
“Great.” She rose and went to find the small restroom. After cleaning herself up, she returned to the records room and frowned when she spotted Jackson standing in the middle of the room scowling. “What’s wrong?”
“There are a few boxes missing.” He waved his paper at her. “These last two numbers are nowhere to be found.”
“Try that storage closet!” Doris yelled from across the room.
They both turned and looked at the closed door.
Felicity shrugged and went to inspect the closet. When she opened the door, something flew out at her, causing her to let out a cry as she raised her hands and ducked at the same time. “Oh, my sweet Santa! What in the Christmas nightmare was that?”
“Looked like a moth,” Jackson said.
“No way. That thing was the size of my head!” She peered into the dark closet, wary of being attacked.
Jackson let out a soft chuckle. “It wasn’t that big. Here. There’s a light.” He reached in and flicked the switch.
Soft lighting illuminated a full closet of boxes.
None of them were labeled.
They both groaned.
Felicity retreated to go find Doris.
“Yes, dear? Did you need help?” the woman asked as she looked up from her paperwork.
“None of the boxes in the closet are labeled. Are you sure we’re supposed to be searching in there?” Felicity asked.
Doris gave her an apologetic smile. “Yes. The first girl we had helping us pack up was… Well, being detail oriented wasn’t her strong suit. She got all of those done before anyone noticed she wasn’t documenting them. You’ll just have to open them and see what’s stored there.”
Felicity ground her teeth together and forced out, “Thanks.”
“No problem!” Doris waved cheerily, clearly happy to have company on the cold morning.
Felicity walked back to Jackson, who was leaning against the closet door. “Let’s do this,” she said. “One box at a time.”
He shook his head. “I was afraid of that.” Taking a deep breath, he started pulling boxes out into the room.
They quickly got to work.
Two hours later, Felicity sat on the dusty floor with boxes surrounding her, ready to pull her hair out. “These files just aren’t here!”
Jackson closed the box he’d been searching and frowned. “Maybe we missed some?”
“No, that’s it,” Doris said, appearing right beside Jackson. “If you’re still missing some files, they are probably still in storage.”
“There are more files in storage?” Felicity blurted, ready to throttle Doris and her perky attitude. “Please tell me those are labeled.”
“Oh, they are. They just aren’t here,” she said with a frown.
“Where are they?” Felicity demanded.
“We’re still in the process of bringing everything over, so they’re still at the old building.”
“Is anyone there?” Jackson asked. “Will they let us in if we go over there?”
“Oh no,” Doris said with a nervous giggle. “It’s just me, and I can’t be in two places at once now, can I?”
Felicity was ready to scream, but she swallowed the impulse. “Miss Doris, it’s very important that I find these documents as soon as possible. When do you think the records will be available?”
“You just leave those numbers with me and I’ll find them for you,” she said, holding her hand out.
“You are a godsend,” Felicity said, handing her the now-crumpled piece of paper. “When can I expect your call? Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow?” Doris asked, looking surprised. “Oh no. I won’t be able to go through those files until next Friday when I go over to the other building with my son to start bringing more boxes over here.”
“We can’t wait that long,” Felicity said, alarmed. “It’s Monday now. Waiting all week just isn’t possible. Is there any way we can get to those files sooner? My property is on the line.”
“Oh.” Doris bit down on her bottom lip. “I suppose I could go by in the morning and take a look.”
“Perfect,” Felicity said, reaching out and giving the woman a hug. “You are a Christmas angel.”
“An angel? I don’t know about that,” Doris said with a tiny laugh as she took a step back. Her lips were curved into a smile, and a sparkle shone from her bright green eyes.
“I think she’s right,” Jackson said, giving Doris a hug of his own. “Thank you for your help.”
“Of course.” Doris stepped back and stared down at her pink blazer. Frowning, she used both hands to wipe off the dust that Jackson had transferred to her jacket. Then the phone rang and she hurried back to her desk.
Felicity looked at Jackson. “I guess that’s it for today?”
“I’m sorry it wasn’t more successful,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back. “Hopefully Doris comes through for us.”
“From your lips to the goddess’s ears.”
Once they were outside, Jackson walked her to her Jeep. “Will I see you tonight at Sleighed?”
“That depends,” she said, eyeing him.
“On?”
“If you’re specifically asking me to come by.” Felicity felt a flutter in her gut, the one that usually sent her running in the other direction. But for some reason, all she wanted to hear was that Jackson wanted to see her.
“I am. I was hoping for a drink after I get off work. What do you say?” He held her gaze, his piercing dark eyes making her want things she’d long ago decided weren’t for her.
“Just one drink,” she said, already knowing that one drink would never be enough.
Jackson reached out and brushed his thumb over her cheekbone. Then he leaned in and brushed his lips over her skin. “I’ll be waiting.”
Felicity watched as he climbed into his truck, unable to tear her gaze from his perfect backside. Finally, when he was settled in his vehicle, she climbed into her Jeep and then followed him out of the still-deserted parking lot.