Read Online A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

side of the road edged by pine trees. Deer in Sunriver acted as if they lived in a zoo with no cares.
    When Bambi had safely made it into the trees, Nicole pressed on the gas. What had the thieves been after? Mark and the other officer seemed unfazed by the whole thing. Probably been-there-done-that so many times a few missing TV’s were no big deal. Well, it was to her.
    She pulled up to the property management company and parked. Squaring her shoulders, she got out then marched inside. A man stood behind the counter in the sparsely furnished room. She rested her elbows on the counter. “Hi, I’d like to change houses.”
    “Is there a problem with the one you’re renting?”
    “Yes!” Her voice trembled. “I called a little while ago about a break in. I can’t stay there anymore.” She shivered.
    The man ran his finger around the inside of his collar, and his face reddened. “Excuse me one minute please.” He darted behind a cubicle wall.
    Nicole heard whispering and walked toward the front plate glass window. Hopefully it wouldn’t take too long to sort this out.
    “Miss Davis.” The man stood at the computer behind the counter and raised a brow. “I apologize for your experience.” He cleared his throat. “However, you are staying in the home as a guest of the owner.”
    “What does that mean? I thought my Grandmother paid for the rent.” She didn’t know any homeowners in Sunriver. There had to be a mistake, unless Grams had a friend here.
    “It means the owner is allowing you to stay for free this summer. If you’d like to switch houses I can arrange that, but there will be a rental fee.”
    Nicole sighed and her shoulders slumped. No way could she afford to rent here all summer. “That won’t work. I’ll check out and go home.”
    “But you can’t!” Wide eyed, he wrung his hands. “Please, Miss Davis. Give Sunriver another chance.”
    “Not in that house. It’s not safe.”
    “Begging your pardon, but any house can be burglarized. Besides, the chances of further trouble are slim. I’m sure you will be perfectly safe in the home provided you.”
    “I’d prefer to check out.”
    A woman stepped from behind the partition. She bit her lip and then seemed to make a decision. “Miss Davis, I was to only give this to you in case of an emergency, and I suppose this qualifies.” She handed Nicole a small white envelope.
    “Oh.”
    “Please read it before you do anything hasty.”
    Nicole nodded and ambled back to her car.
    “Dear Nicole, if you are reading this, then I’ve failed. Please reconsider staying. Planning this adventure for you gave me such joy, and I believe if you stick it out you will understand the importance of spending the summer in a place meant for fun and adventure. Please give an old woman one last request and stay.
    I happen to know the owner very well, and she requested that you allow an interior designer to update the master bedroom and en suite. The owner trusts your judgment and wants you to make it the way you would want it.
    Love, Grams
    P.S. Have you found a good book on the bookshelf yet? Open it and enjoy.”
    There it was again. If she left the house, it would be impossible to finish the game. She owed it to Grams to finish, but what kind of person allowed a stranger to redecorate their rental? This was nuts! Her grandmother had done some crazy things before, but this topped everything.
    The woman from the management company came outside and waved at her. “Miss Davis, I have something else for you.” She approached Nicole’s car and handed her a business card. “This is the company you are supposed to contact about the makeover. The owner has set a pre-paid budget.”
    Nicole took the card. “Belafonte and Son’s Construction and Design.” She looked at the woman. “You do realize this is crazy?”
    She chuckled. “It is unusual, but enjoy it. An opportunity like this one is once in a lifetime.”
    “No kidding. So this is all legit? There