Page 47 of One Last Gift

“She’s my new manager,” Linda said, and Cassie couldn’t help her eyebrows shooting up in surprise, though she tried to cover it with another smile.

“Lovely to meet you, Katie,” Cassie said politely.

Katie beamed—she had the kind of face you immediately warmed to, and Cassie could already imagine her being a big hit with the local customers. “Likewise. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Now, Katie, have you double-checked the bookings for this evening?”

Katie gave a quick, birdlike nod. “I have.”

“And have you—”

“Linda,” Cassie said, a little pleadingly. She got it—really—but she was also impatient to get going, to find the clue.

Linda glanced at Cassie. “All right, all right,” she said briskly. “We’re off, OK, Katie? Please call me if you have any problems.”

“I will. But I promise there won’t be!” Katie said cheerfully.

Because Linda was opening her mouth to say something more, Cassie linked an elbow through hers and tugged her firmly toward the front door. She gave Linda a sly look as they headed toward the car that she’d rented for this trip. “A new manager, hey?”

Linda wrinkled her nose. “Yes, well, we’ll see how she does tonight and tomorrow, and then I’ll make a call.”

“Does this mean there’s no more drama with the solicitors, then?” Cassie asked as she slid into the driver’s seat of the little red Kia.

“Well…” Cassie gave Linda a look and Linda sighed. “It’s just that apparently there was already a deposit put down, so I don’t know where we stand, legally speaking.”

“What?” Cassie said sharply. “That’s…” But she trailed off. She had an idea. “What if I knew someone?” she asked slowly. “Someone who might be able to help?”

“Who? Sam?”

“No, not Sam.” She was doing her best not to think about Sam, especially as she was just starting to feel better, and thinking about him did not help with that. Though he’d called her the other day—called her and hung up without saying anything. She hadn’t called him back, but she couldn’t help wondering what it had been about. “It’s our mystery donor.”

“Well, I suppose if you—” Linda slapped a palm to her forehead. “Hang on, I’ve forgotten my purse. I’ll be back in a moment, OK?” And she jumped out of the car, running back across the gravel parking lot to the pub.

Cassie used the opportunity to open up the GoFundMe page and write a message.

So we’re having some problems with the lawyers—and I know you said you used to be in law? Do you have any experience with property law? If so, I wonder if I could ask you a few questions?

Sure, ok.

She hesitated, but then decided to go for it. An email would be great, if you don’t mind? She couldn’t keep using the page, could she?

Ok. You can get me on [email protected].

Cassie frowned, surprised that he’d given up his email so easily now, when he hadn’t before. She felt a spark of triumph, which was immediately squashed when she reread the email address—no name there.

Still, it was better than nothing and she sent a list of the initial questions that came to mind, getting a response back almost immediately.

Just some quick, easy questions for me to look over, then?

Sorry!! No pressure, of course.

It’s no problem—I’ll take a look and get back to you later today.

Thanks so much. And because this stranger was being kind, she felt the need to justify. It’s just, thanks to you we’ve got the money and I don’t want everything to be ruined all because of some stupid legal stuff.

I’ve always thought legal stuff was quite stupid myself.

Cassie felt her lips twitch. Not all legal stuff. I suppose some laws are there for a reason.