Chapter 3 #2
had so little family to begin with, and that was all on his father’s side. He wasn’t in touch with them anymore. To find out
he had a relative all this time . . . never mind. It wasn’t worth pondering. “Where do I sign?”
Bennett went back to his desk. “Have a seat,” he said.
Leo frowned and did as instructed. Maybe there was a lot of paperwork to go through. He’d never had an inheritance before.
That was fine. He wouldn’t be done with the process as quickly as he thought, but still within the hour for sure. Then he’d
be free to go back to work and to his life.
Folding his hands together and placing them on his desk again, Bennett said, “I want to be clear about Earl’s will before you sign anything.
First, you are the only heir. He had some cash in his personal and business account and there were a few small bills that needed to be paid.
All the cash that was left over, save enough to keep the lights on for the next year, went to the Dunlap Literacy Organization. ”
Leo nodded. It said something for Earl’s character that he supported a charity.
“Now, to address what you will inherit. Earl initially owned the building that houses Second Chapter, Pawsitive Vibes, and
the apartments. He sold the café and the apartment above it to Via a few months before his death. That was probably around
the time the two of them talked about combining businesses, but I’m not sure. Earl was always vague about details. You had
to pull them out of him.”
Leo was relieved to hear he wasn’t Via’s landlord. He didn’t need that extra complication.
“You will also inherit Gold Yeller.”
“Gold Yeller?”
“Earl’s ’94 pickup. Via has the key. He used to let her borrow it whenever she had to haul something. Still runs pretty good,
but burns oil fast. Remember that when you drive it.”
Yeah, no worries there. Gold Yeller—what a name—was going up for sale like the rest of Earl’s assets the minute Leo signed
on the dotted line. He checked his watch. Time was ticking away and he was ready to hit the road. “Got it. Where do I sign—?”
“Not yet. There’s something else you need to know. In order to gain your inheritance, you’ll have to follow a few stipulations.”
He paused, surprised. “Stipulations?”
“Yes. He insisted on them.” He slipped on reading glasses and glanced at the paperwork. “First, you must live in the apartment
for a minimum of thirty consecutive days.”
That knocked him for a loop. “Huh?”
“Second, you have to organize and categorize all the books in Second Chapter. Then there’s the list.”
“List?” he said, taking the paper.
“You must find these ten hidden books, set them aside, and then give them to me at the end of the thirty days.”
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered. “Have you seen that shop? It’s a free-for-all in there.”
“It’s always been that way. The regulars love it.”
“He has regulars?”
“Second Chapter is a Pecan Corner treasure.”
Leo sat back in the chair. An old, musty bookstore filled with old, musty books was a treasure. This was nuts. Who cared about
a bunch of books?
Earl did. Via too. “If everyone likes it as is, why do I have to clean it up?” Leo asked.
“Earl didn’t say.” Bennett smiled. “Number three—”
“There’s a three.” Leo slumped.
“On day thirty, you will take a quiz about Pecan Corner. Eighty percent and above is the pass rate.” He took off his glasses.
“I know it all sounds strange, but your uncle was, shall I say—”
“Certifiable?”
“Unique. He wasn’t an easy man to get to know. We were friends, but I wasn’t aware he had any family until we made his will.
Even then, he didn’t say much about you or Constance, other than to mention you as heirs.”
Leo’s jaw tensed.
“I was surprised he and Via were so close,” Bennett continued. “Then again, she is quite special.”
“She’s something, all right,” Leo mumbled. “Anything else?”
“No,” Bennett said affably. “Just those three easy things.”
He was starting to think Bennett was a little daft too. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I can’t put my life on hold to live here, find hidden books—”
“Don’t forget the quiz.”
“Right. A quiz. On a town. Is this a Pecan Corner thing?”
Bennett shook his head. “Just an Earl thing. And you have to get—”
“Eighty percent. Understood. Mr. Pipkin—”
“Call me Bennett.”
“I need to get back to Los Angeles. Even the couple of days I’ve wasted—”
Bennett’s eyebrows raised.
“—spent getting here are inconvenient.”
“You can always choose to relinquish.”
Not an option. “I’ll . . .” He blew out a breath. “I’ll do it.”
“Excellent. Once you’ve fulfilled the terms of the will, I’ll get your signature on the documents and everything will be yours.”
Leo scanned the book list again. He wasn’t a reader, other than what he’d had to study in school and for his job. He didn’t
recognize a single book.
“May I make a suggestion?”
He looked up at Bennett, seeing a glint of commiseration in his eyes. “Sure.” He could use all the help he could get.
“Via grew up in Pecan Corner, and she knows Earl and Second Chapter better than anyone. She could be a good resource for you.”
“We didn’t exactly hit it off.”
“Well, I can help a little too. Not with the books or the quiz, but I can recommend the Corner Eatery, especially for breakfast.
They have some scrumptious specials.”
Great. Just what he needed, a breakfast joint when he didn’t do breakfast.
Bennett stood and shook his hand. “I’ll see you in thirty days then. Probably sooner, actually. Pecan Corner is a tight-knit town. If you need anything else, I’m always available.”
“Thanks.” Not much else left to say. He was stuck, and his only option was to move forward.