Windswept Way (Hope Harbor #9)(7)
Author: Irene Hannon

 

“What is it?” Ashley took the file.

 

“The draft of an agreement I had my attorney prepare. I included his contact information if you’d like to see maintenance records on the house or have any questions of that sort. I’d suggest you also have an attorney review this document. I’ve put the name of one in Hope Harbor inside the file if you care to consult him. He was recommended to me by the pastor at Grace Christian Church. I’m sure this man can also refer you to other local firms you may wish to contact for additional advice.” She stood.

 

Ashley rose more slowly.

 

Their teatime chat was over, and she hadn’t asked one of the questions on her list.

 

Her mother would have a fit.

 

But tomorrow, as Scarlett O’Hara had always said, was another day.

 

For now, a walk-through of the house and grounds would give her a ton of firsthand information.

 

Ashley followed Rose to the foyer. “Thank you for the tea.”

 

“It was a pleasure to put my baking skills to use for someone besides myself.” Rose pulled a key from her pocket. “Please lock the door as you leave. Few people venture to the end of Windswept Way, but it never hurts to be careful. Occasionally strangers or curiosity seekers do wander out here.”

 

Speaking of strangers . . .

 

“As a matter of fact, there was a man at the entrance when I arrived.” Maybe Rose could shed a ray of light on his presence. “He, uh, had a chain saw.”

 

The older woman gave a dismissive wave. “I expect it was someone from the firm my attorney hired to keep the entrance passable and mow the grass. He could have been clearing up downed limbs from the storm we had a few days ago. I imagine he’s gone by now. You shouldn’t run into anyone else as you wander about. I enjoyed our chat today.” She extended her hand.

 

“I did too.” Ashley gripped the woman’s delicate fingers and received a strong squeeze in return before her potential business partner turned and slowly ascended the grand staircase.

 

Leaving her alone to explore this amazing place.

 

A wave of excitement swept over her, and it didn’t abate for the next two hours as she poked through all the rooms, peeked under the dustcovers shrouding the furniture on the second and third floors, ogled the large library and lavish ballroom, and wandered the grounds while staying far back from the cliff edge.

 

As the sun began to dip over the sea, she ended her tour on the large stone terrace at the back of the house, sitting on the edge of the low wall that surrounded it.

 

Everything was as she’d hoped it would be. Period furnishings, essentially intact except in the somewhat updated kitchen. Expansive grounds that would be an ideal backdrop for weddings once the gardens were restored. No obvious signs of decay in the house itself. A caretaker’s cottage and carriage house—the future residences for her and Rose, should they end up agreeing on terms—that appeared to be in excellent condition, even though they were locked.

 

It was perfect.

 

A lone pelican soared across the sky over the sea, its wings gilded by the setting sun, and Ashley inhaled the fresh, briny air. Already this felt like home.

 

Yes, she had much work to do. There were experts to consult, bids to solicit for the work required, legal reviews to arrange. Any of those could produce deal-breaking information, and she’d be unbiased and objective as she considered the data.

 

But every instinct in her body said this was where she was meant to be. That in bringing to fruition Rose’s dream to infuse Edgecliff with joy and life, she’d find her own destiny.

 

No doubt her mother would chide her for such quixotic thinking. Exhort her to be sensible and prudent. And she would be. She wasn’t going to waste Dad’s legacy if negatives cropped up.

 

Yet neither was she going to discount her instincts. They may have misled her with Jason, but mansions and men were two different things.

 

And if she were a betting woman, she’d wager a month’s salary from her previous job that Edgecliff was going to be a far superior match for her than Jason had ever been.

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

“Bottom line, as legal agreements go, this one is about as straightforward as you can get.” Eric Nash leaned back in his leather chair and steepled his fingers. “It also appears eminently weighted in your favor.”

 

As the attorney Rose had recommended wrapped up his assessment of the proposed contract, Ashley homed in on his last comment. Apparently, she hadn’t misread the startling clause she’d found in the document last night as she’d pored over it in her room at the Gull Motel after her meeting with Rose.

 

“You’re talking about her bequeathing me her half of Edgecliff if we get past the two-year probation period.”

 

“Yes. Along with her agreement to refund your investment if you don’t.”

 

“I knew about the refund, but my understanding from our correspondence was that I’d have the option to purchase her share upon her death. The bequest was a total surprise.”

 

“The seventy-thirty profit split in your favor is also very generous.”

 

“I know. I was expecting fifty-fifty.”

 

The dark-haired man tapped his index fingers together, faint pleats marring his brow. “I’m not a real estate expert, but the property appears to be undervalued, given the number of acres involved. Coastal land here goes for big bucks, and from the rumors I’ve heard, the house is filled with valuable antiques.”

 

“It is.”

 

“So why a partnership versus hiring someone to run the place according to her specifications?”

 

The same question she’d asked in their initial email exchanges.

 

“Rose says she has the funds to give Edgecliff new life without a partnership deal, but not the energy or expertise. She wanted someone on board who would have a vested interest in the property long term, and she thought a partnership would ensure continuity in management. I think Rose is more interested in preserving the legacy of the estate than adding to her bank balance.”

 

“In that case, it would appear you’ve lucked into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

 

“I agree. So you didn’t spot any red flags in the contract?” Ashley waved her hand toward the document on his desk.

 

“Not unless the renovations you plan to do are going to break the bank. Those are a fifty-fifty split. Is the house in decent shape?”