Page 15 of Holiday Hideaway
He cocked an eyebrow. “It’s a moot point, but surprise me anyway.”
“Five bedrooms, two baths? That bedroom I was sleeping in—”
“Before I showed up,” he said, with a faint grin.
“Is so big, you could easily carve out a bathroom and a decent closet. And the attic—”
“Where you’ve been hiding out since I got here—”
She didn’t deny it. “You could make a couple of bunk rooms for kids, with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between them. There’s no bedroom on the first floor, but you could turn the library into an en suite. You do that, you’ve got eight bedrooms, five baths—houses that size, with waterfront access, make bank.”
“The dock is still intact? I assumed it would have fallen in by now.”
“It needs some repairs, but the main thing is you have deeded bayfront access, and that’s huge. People want to have their boats here in the summer.”
“That all sounds very promising, but my cousin and my little sisters are really hoping for a quick sale of the house.”
“And what about you? No fond memories of the family manse?”
“We had a lot of fun here when my grandparents were alive. Never put on shoes all summer, just ran wild, swimming, sailing, playing pirate. But after Uncle Gus inherited the Crowe’s Nest, that all came to a screeching halt. My family only came here for command performances.”
“I guess I don’t blame you for not wanting to stick around Piney Point, after what Denny and his buddies put you through.”
“It was pretty hellish,” George admitted.
Tilly’s face colored. “I’ve always been ashamed that I didn’t do more to try to stop what they did to you.”
“Nobody could have stopped those clowns. But you were the one who saved me from total humiliation, with that homecoming cape and crown,” George said. “And you were nice in other ways. Shared your Rice Krispies Treats after glee practice, gave me a ride home after Denny let the air out of mybike tires ... anyway, that’s all in the past. My job now is to get the place ready to sell. I really need to get that roof tarped.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I shared my Rice Krispies Treats? I must’ve had a secret crush on you, ’cause I don’t share snacks with just anyone.”
George laughed in an effort to hide his embarrassment. He’d been the one with a secret crush on Matilda Farriday all through high school. He needed to end this discussion before it took a dangerous turn.
“About that roof,” he repeated.
“I’ve got an idea,” Tilly said, picking up her phone.
An hour later, a pair of brawny teenagers pulled up to the house in a pickup truck.
Ruth and Gina’s sons, Dooley and Theo, piled out and enveloped Tilly in a hug.
“Mom sent you this,” Dooley said, handing her a huge dutch oven. “Beef stew.”
“And this,” Theo said, handing her a bottle of red wine.
“You’re sure you two are up for this? Your moms will kill me if either of you gets hurt.”
“Piece of cake,” Dooley said, unloading tools, rope, and a bundle of tarps.
Dark had fallen by the time Tilly heard the boys clomping down the stairway. They emerged into the parlor, red cheeked and windburned.
“All done,” Theo announced.
Tilly gestured at George. “Guys, this is the homeowner, George Holloway.”
“Hey, man,” Dooley said.
“Nice to meet ya,” Theo chimed in.
