Chapter Thirteen #2
“Dad, Mr. Weber is developing the Kingsley property. You know, next to ours.”
Weber gave her a puzzled look.
“That’s what we’ve always called it,” she said, a little embarrassed she’d used the family nickname. “It used to be owned by people named Kingsley.”
“Ah, I see,” Weber said. “Well, as you probably know, Mr. Linden, we’re planning to build luxury homes there.
” He extended a glossy flyer, but Cassie’s dad didn’t take it.
Weber set it next to his card. “Very tasteful,” he went on, “in keeping with the character of the neighborhood. We’ve built a lot of homes in Laurelton, maybe you’re familiar with the Running Brook development. That’s one of ours.”
Her dad looked at him blankly. “Never heard of it.”
“Over on Cross Ridge, up near the New York line?” Weber looked at him expectantly, but her dad was beginning to seem bothered, like a bee was buzzing his head. “What does that have to do with me?”
Cassie swallowed. Andrew and her dad had made progress on the dinosaur puzzle.
The volcano was mostly filled in and they’d started on the greenery, which gave it a promising look.
Small activities with lots of help, that’s what her dad could handle now.
The less frustration the better. “They’re interested in this property too,” she said, her mouth dry.
Weber smoothed his jeans, taking this as his cue.
“Mr. Linden, we envision extending the development to include your property. As I’m sure you’re aware, it abuts the project and we’d like to be able to go all the way to Southington Road, which will allow us to include common space.
Buyers appreciate that now. The zoning board has given us the go ahead and we anticipate the town council will approve as well. It’s just a formality at this point.”
Her dad looked bewildered. “What’s he talking about?”
Cassie swallowed around the lump in her throat. “They want to buy the house, Dad.”
“Mr. Linden.” Weber leaned forward. “We’re prepared to make you a very attractive offer.”
“Sell the house?” Her dad looked at Cassie. “To who?”
Cassie felt a creeping shame that she’d put this in motion. But if not now, when? Her dad was still competent enough to make decisions but soon he might not be. “To Weber Properties, Dad. That’s why Mr. Weber is here. Let’s just listen to what he has to say.”
“Mr. Linden, we can offer you three million dollars. That’s substantially more than the house, even with five acres, would get on the market. It’s a generous offer.”
Her dad’s face had gone blotchy. He tried to push himself off the chair, but his cane was out of reach. “This house isn’t for sale. I don’t know why you thought that.”
“Dad, it’s a lot of money,” Cassie said. “We should at least think about it.” She’d done some research. Three million was a very good price. Weber didn’t want to fool around; he wanted the property.
“There might be some wiggle room in that offer.” Weber didn’t seem perturbed. “I could go to three-two.”
Her dad glared at Weber. “Young man, we’ve lived in this house for…for—” He looked to Cassie for help.
“Fifty-five years,” she sighed, “but you don’t need this much house. Three-point-two million is a lot of money. You’d be very comfortable.”
“I’m comfortable now.” Her dad scowled at Weber then Cassie. “Did you invite him here?”
“I thought we could talk about it,” she said miserably.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” Her dad managed to get hold of his cane and shoved out of the chair, swaying precariously until he regained his balance.
Weber stood too. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Linden. I hope you’ll give it some thought.
” He held out a hand, but her father refused to shake.
He looked old and fragile in his ancient green sweater and walking boot, and Cassie felt a rising misery that she’d upset him.
She’d thought a big offer would impress him but inviting Weber over had been all wrong.
She should have introduced the idea first, let her dad come to it slowly.
Now his back was up, and it would be that much harder.
The truth was, they needed to sell the house.
And Weber Properties was prepared to buy it as is.
No sprucing it up or renovating bathrooms. They wouldn’t get another offer like this.
Yes, it made her sad to think of it being torn down.
It would be nicer to imagine a family moving in and taking care of the place.
But you had to be practical. And her dad would be resistant no matter who was buying.
Weber shook her hand as she showed him out. “I’ll be in touch,” he said.
When she came back inside, her dad was in the kitchen fixing himself a cup of coffee. His hands were shaking.
“I’m sorry,” she said, pouring herself a cup. She would twitch all day after more caffeine, but the morning had already been a disaster. She added a little milk and sat down across from her father, who wouldn’t look at her.
“I really am sorry,” she said again. “I should have told you he was coming.”
“I’m not selling.”
“It’s too much to keep up. You don’t need all this space. You go from the kitchen to the family room.”
“Don’t tell me what I need. First you brought that lady in here, that busybody, trying to tell me what to do all day. At least she’s gone,” he said with satisfaction.
“Because you pinched her.” Cassie felt a spike of worry. Someone from the agency had called yesterday, but she hadn’t yet called back. “What happens when I’m gone and you slip and fall and nobody finds you for days. You can’t live alone here anymore.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face, but only for a moment.
“It’s not just me,” she continued. “Shelly agrees it’s not safe for you to be alone. It’d be one thing if you accepted help, but you don’t want anyone.”
He glared at her over his coffee. “I’ve lived in this house longer than you or your sister have been alive.”
“Daddy.” She touched his hand gently. The skin was soft and spotted, and his fingernails needed trimming. “I love you. You know that, right?”
He looked away but not before she saw the tears in his eyes.
“All I want is what’s best for you,” she said. He didn’t answer, but she could tell he was listening.
She sighed and let go of his hand. “I know this is hard, and I’m not saying you have to decide right now. Just think about it. We might not get another offer like this.”
“I hope not,” he said and hobbled back to the TV.