Wild Man Creek (Virgin River #14)(61)

It was more than a house and garden. It was a nursery.

Walking around the property she could hear the sound of the mower; Denny was running the riding mower around the expansive front lawn, a job that could take half the day. Bright sun, warm weather, plenty of rain turned the grass a dark, vivid, thick green. And plenty of it; Denny was cutting it every week. He built himself a ramp so he could load that riding lawnmower onto the back of Jillian’s truck and take it over to Jack’s for a little upkeep over there—Jack didn’t have a rider.

Just as Jack crossed her mind, she spotted his truck coming up the drive. She took off her gloves, brushed off her knees and smiled at him.

But Jack wasn’t smiling. He wore a very serious expression as he approached her. The very first thought that came to her mind was that he was bringing bad news. Her mind skittered around. Was it possible someone would call Jack to report a catastrophe involving Kelly? Had Colin had an accident? She could hear Denny’s mowing so she knew he was all right. Her hand crept to her throat and she walked toward him. “What?” she asked. “What is it?”

“Well, it’s a surprise out of the blue, Jillian,” he said. “Caught me completely off guard. There’s interest in the house.”

She actually breathed a sigh of relief. Is that all? she thought. And then quickly following that she nearly gasped. “Interest in the house? But…?”

He shook his head. “I haven’t listed it for sale, but I mentioned to a couple of Realtors that I’ll be looking to sell eventually, probably when we have a little recovery in this god-awful economy. But real estate around here, Jillian… It’s not the usual thing. Most of us are out in the country, like this house here is, and there’s no point in a sign—no one’s gonna see it. But sometimes some Realtor from San Francisco or L.A. will call one of our Realtors and ask if there’s anything available that would work for a summer house or an oceanfront property or hunting cabin.”

“And…?” she pushed, the suspense killing her.

“A couple from the Bay Area, retiring from their big companies, kids grown, they’re looking for a bed-and-breakfast with a sizable acreage. Something they could run a few months of the year, which would leave them plenty of time to relax, have their family visit or travel. They like the idea of a few guests and maybe grounds that could be used for celebrations, like weddings and so on. He likes to garden. She loves to cook. The Realtor in Fortuna mentioned this place and they took a look at the outside—I guess you didn’t notice them. They’d like to look inside and if it suits, they’ll want to make an offer.”

“But, Jack…”

“I told them it wouldn’t be available until September. They think that’s a good idea—it would give them the winter months to get settled in, put together some ads for their B and B, have the kids and grandkids for holidays, travel. I might even be able to put them off till October, if you need the time.” He gave his chin a nod. “We’re friends and neighbors, Jillian—I’m not going to run you off. I’d appreciate it if you kept in mind… I have to do right by the trust. The house is part of the trust….”

She was quiet for a long moment. Then she said, “Of course. But have you set a price? Has anyone suggested a price?”

He shook his head. “It’s time to get it appraised. With the great work Paul has done here, it’s going to bring a nice price. Probably just over a million.”

She almost laughed but kept it to a smile. “You need to find a way to move this place to San Jose. I’m not even going to tell you what it would go for there. It would make you greedy.” Jillian’s little town house with no yard went for three-fifty in a bad economy. At least she hadn’t lost money on it, but she didn’t make much.

“I know,” he said. “I just can’t help but wonder who would want to come to a B and B in Virgin River. Not hunters, that’s for sure. They’d be happier at Luke’s or in some lean-to with an outdoor biffy where they can make noise, smoke the cigars the little wifey won’t let them have at home, get up at four to beat the deer…. Who wants to come to a place like this in summer when there’s no hunting? And if you’re fishing, you have to change out of your wet clothes on the porch and clean your fish in the yard so you don’t get someone’s pretty little B and B all messy.”

She smiled at him patiently. “You haven’t been to Ferndale lately, have you, Jack?”

“Have you?”

“Lots of B and B’s are successful around here, especially in Ferndale. People come to relax. To enjoy the landscape, the shops, the ocean, the redwoods. Some people like to hike, to sit out on a porch surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers and just read a book. They might not have a waiting list, but they’ll do just fine. Trust me.”

“Well, I owed it to you to warn you. And I’m going to have to ask you to let them see the inside….”

“Sure,” she said, but the very thought made her so sad. “When?”

“Right away, I guess. I’m told they drove up from the Bay Area a couple of weeks ago and saw the outside and they’re ready to do business if the inside suits them.”

“Just let me know,” she said with a shrug. “I’ll make sure I’m dressed and the dishes are done.”