Susannah's Garden (Blossom Street #3)(40)
“I know. She’s gone downhill so fast it’s frightening.” The difference was noticeable even to Chrissie, who tended to be self-absorbed, as were most girls her age.
“What do you want to do now?” Chrissie asked as Susannah unlocked the car door. Chrissie couldn’t bear not to have something planned—usually something social. But she seemed genuinely willing to help. With Chrissie there, Susannah hoped to finish packing up her parents’ house more quickly than she’d expected, but the girl would probably wear her out, too.
“I need you to help me finish loading everything up and into the storage unit,” Susannah explained. Cleaning out each room was a tedious and heartbreaking process.
“I suppose that would be all right.” Chrissie didn’t sound enthusiastic and Susannah didn’t blame her.
They went to Safeway, where the manager had set aside half a dozen cardboard cartons. Collecting boxes had become part of Susannah’s daily routine. Her favorites were the reinforced ones used for fruit. Twice a day, Susannah would take whatever had been boxed up to the storage unit. The boxes were labeled and would wait there, neatly stacked, until she decided what to do with them. When that would be, she didn’t know. She’d merely deferred many of these decisions. She still had to figure out what she should keep, what should go to the kids, what could be donated to charity. Susannah was afraid she might discard something she would later regret.
When they pulled up in front of the house, she noticed a smartly dressed woman sitting in a car across the street. When they climbed out of the Crown Victoria and opened the trunk to remove boxes, the same woman emerged from her car.
“Hello,” the tall brunette said with a warm smile as she crossed the street. “I’m Melody Highland.” She peeled a business card out of a small gold case and thrust it at Susannah. “I work with the Colville Real Estate Company. I understand you’re going to be putting your mother’s house on the market soon.”
Listing it now would be premature; Susannah realized she wasn’t quite ready to take that final step. She accepted the card and was about to tell the real estate agent that, but before she could say a word, Melody continued.
“Colville Real Estate has an impeccable reputation in the community. I’ve been with the firm eight years and I’m their top salesperson.”
“Congratulations.” Susannah couldn’t think of any other response.
“I have several clients who’d be interested in a home such as this in a well-established neighborhood.”
Susannah stared at the card. Curious, she looked up and asked, “How did you get my name?”
Melody smiled. “Colville is a small town. Word gets around.”
“Was it Mrs. Henderson?”
Melody hesitated and her cheery facade disappeared. “Actually,” she said with reluctance, “I heard about you through the storage unit place. They sometimes give me tips on possible listings.”
That explained it, and Susannah was more than a little offended by this cozy sharing of private information. “Well, I’m afraid I’m not ready to list the house.”
“Perhaps I could be of service in some way?”
“Thank you, but no.” Susannah wasn’t going to let this woman push her into acting before the time was right.
“Do keep my card. I know we can get top dollar for your parents’ home.”
Susannah nodded, slipping the business card into her pocket. “Thank you for stopping by, but we really need to get back to work now.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you,” Melody Highland said smoothly. “I look forward to doing business with you in the near future.”
Susannah and Chrissie started toward the house.
“Can I check with you in a week or two?” Melody called just as Susannah reached the front steps.
“I’d prefer to contact you when I’m ready.”
“No problem,” Melody said and marched back across the street to her car.
Susannah waited until she’d driven off, then set down two of the boxes. “My goodness. She was eager, wasn’t she?”
“I guess,” Chrissie muttered, seemingly amused. “I’ll bet she’s already got clients lined up to look at the house. I can imagine how those potential buyers would react if they saw the place now.”
They walked into the house and Susannah had the feeling she’d made a lucky escape. She wondered how many other real estate agents she’d have to fend off before this ordeal was over.
“Where would you like me to begin?” Chrissie asked, standing just inside the living room. Hands on hips, she surveyed the area. Five days after moving her mother out, Susannah had made only a small dent in what needed to be done.
“What about the bookcase in the living room?” she suggested. When she had time, Susannah wanted to go carefully through all the titles. Her father had been an avid reader and there might be some first editions in his collection. Those books would be something to hand down to Brian one day.
“Okay.” Chrissie grabbed a box. “I’ll start there.”
Many of her mother’s personal things had been taken to her new apartment, but her father’s office remained untouched. Until now, Susannah had avoided it, but she couldn’t put it off forever.
Knowing her dad, he’d kept meticulous records. She’d have to sort through every file and drawer. Maybe she should wait until she was better able to deal with it emotionally. No—this couldn’t wait. She pulled out a stack of files and had just started to go through one of them when Chrissie called her.